Tongue Ties, Feeding Struggles, and the Power of Myofunctional Therapy (Guest: Brittany Hageman from Coastal Myofunctional Speech Therapy)
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When you’re expecting a baby, there are so many things on your mind: preparing for labor, setting up the nursery, navigating prenatal appointments, and figuring out what kind of parent you want to be. But there’s one topic that often gets overlooked—and it can have a big impact on your baby’s feeding, sleep, and development: tongue ties.
As a doula who supports families through birth, postpartum, and sleep, I see firsthand how these tiny anatomical differences—known as Tethered Oral Tissues (or TOTs)—can turn what should be natural processes into exhausting, emotional hurdles. That’s why I recently invited Brittany, a seasoned speech therapist and certified orofacial myologist, onto the Doula Talk podcast. Brittany’s insight and personal story about her own tongue tie release (as an adult!) was a game-changer—and I knew I had to share it with more families.
If you’re currently pregnant or preparing for postpartum life, this post will help you understand what tongue ties are, how they can affect your baby (and you), and how to get support before you’re in the thick of feeding struggles.
What Is a Tongue Tie?
A tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, is when the thin band of tissue under the tongue (called the frenulum) is too tight or short, limiting the tongue’s range of motion. There can also be lip ties and cheek ties (known as buccal ties), and together these are called Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs).
While these tissues might seem small, they can have a major impact on:
Breastfeeding and bottle feeding
Speech development
Sleep quality
Oral facial growth
Proper breathing patterns
Tongue posture (where your tongue rests in your mouth) is especially important in the first year of life. It affects how the palate forms, which in turn influences breathing, jaw development, and even future orthodontic needs.
How Tongue Ties Affect Feeding and Sleep
One of the first signs of a tongue tie often shows up during feeding. A baby with a tongue tie may:
Take a long time to feed or fall asleep at the breast
Click during feeding or pop off the breast/bottle frequently
Struggle to gain weight or seem fussy after feeds
Cause pain for the breastfeeding parent, including cracked nipples or mastitis
Be gassy or have reflux-like symptoms
Show signs of poor sleep or constant waking
And it’s not just about infancy. Brittany shared that her older child had cavities, speech delays, sensory challenges, and even sleep-disordered breathing—all linked back to an undiagnosed tongue tie. Once it was properly treated with a full release and therapy, those challenges dramatically improved.
Why Tongue Ties Are Often Missed
Many parents are surprised to learn that tongue ties often go undiagnosed—sometimes for years. That’s because:
Some ties are posterior (toward the back of the tongue), and harder to see without proper training
Not all providers are trained in how to evaluate oral function thoroughly
Babies can sometimes compensate, masking the signs until problems arise later
This is why Brittany’s story is so powerful. As a trained speech therapist, even she didn’t fully understand the impact of her own tongue tie until she experienced it firsthand.
The Importance of a Holistic, Team-Based Approach
If you’re pregnant and planning ahead for feeding and sleep support, here’s what you need to know: successful treatment for tongue ties isn’t just about a quick snip. In fact, that’s where many families run into trouble.
A tongue tie release (also known as a frenectomy) should be:
Properly diagnosed by a trained provider who understands oral function
Supported by therapy before and after to strengthen the muscles of the tongue, lips, and jaw
Paired with bodywork (like craniosacral therapy or chiropractic care) to release tension in the fascia and help baby fully integrate new movement patterns
This kind of holistic, collaborative care leads to the best outcomes—and it’s exactly the kind of support I help my clients build into their postpartum planning.
Preparing in Pregnancy: What You Can Do Now
You don’t need to wait until your baby is born to start preparing. In fact, being proactive during pregnancy can help you avoid unnecessary stress and frustration later on. Here are some steps you can take now:
1. Learn the Signs of TOTs
Educate yourself about the signs of oral restrictions in newborns so you feel empowered to advocate for your baby.
2. Talk to Your Doula or Postpartum Support Team
This is where I come in. I regularly help families navigate feeding challenges, sleep disruptions, and referrals for TOTs when needed. It’s all part of the wraparound support every new parent deserves.
3. Connect with a Lactation Consultant
A skilled IBCLC can assess latch and feeding dynamics and refer you to providers who specialize in tongue tie evaluations if needed.
4. Add a Myofunctional Therapist or Feeding Therapist to Your Team
These specialists can assess oral function, provide pre-release therapy if needed, and walk you through post-release healing and exercises.
Brittany’s Advice: It’s Not Your Fault
One of the most important takeaways from Brittany’s story was this: none of this is your fault. Tongue ties often have a genetic component and show up even when you’ve done “all the right things.”
Trying to make sense of feeding struggles while recovering from birth is hard. Add in mixed messages from providers or family, and it can feel overwhelming. That’s why support matters so much.
Get Support Now: Free Consult and More Resources
If this post resonated with you or brought up questions, you’re not alone. Brittany generously offers free consultations to help families determine whether a tie or oral motor issue may be contributing to their baby’s challenges. You can reach her at coastalmyofunctionalspeechtherapy.com or find a provider near you here.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for parenthood is about more than packing a hospital bag or choosing a car seat—it’s about preparing yourself with the knowledge and support systems you need. Tongue ties and oral restrictions may not be something you thought about before, but knowing what to look for can make all the difference in your baby’s comfort and development—and your own postpartum experience.
Let’s make sure you don’t have to figure it all out in the middle of a 3 a.m. feed.
