Your journey begins with a comprehensive, team-based evaluation to understand the full picture of your feeding concerns, your child’s oral motor skills, and their overall development.

Lactation Feeding Observation:

• Latch and milk transfer assessment
• Observation of bottle-feeding mechanics (if applicable)
• Comfort and pain assessment for breastfeeding parent
• Review of supply challenges
• Interpretation of feeding patterns

Occupational Therapy Assessment:

• Oral motor strength, endurance & coordination
• Nervous system integrity and sensory regulation
• Observation of compensatory movement patterns
• Evaluation of neuromuscular function

Pediatric Dentistry Evaluation:

• Anatomical and functional assessment of tongue, lip, and oral tissues
• Identification and diagnosis of any oral restrictions
• Discussion of treatment options

Outcome:

A clear understanding of feeding challenges and a recommended course-of-action — whether that means optimizing feeding without a procedure or preparing for a release.

Following the Collaborative Functional Evaluation, you will receive an individualized intervention plan based on your child’s needs and your feeding goals.

This may include:

Lactation services:
Optimizing latch, positioning, and milk transfer
Addressing supply concerns
Supporting parental comfort and confidence

Occupational therapy:
Oral motor strengthening and coordination
Nervous system regulation
Neuromuscular re-education
Reducing compensatory movement patterns that impact feeding
Improving bottle-feeding mechanics

Outcome:
Whether preparing for a release or not, your plan aims to optimize feeding mechanics, oral motor function, and your child’s overall developmental trajectory.

If a tongue tie and/or lip tie release is advised, the procedure is performed by our pediatric dentist with immediate post-release feeding support from an IBCLC.

What this stage includes:
Functional Frenectomy Performed by a Pediatric Dentist:

• Precise release using industry-leading technology
• Focus on mobility, comfort, and optimal healing

Immediate Feeding Support from an IBCLC:

• Latch or bottle guidance immediately following the procedure
• Review of post-operative instructions
• Comfort techniques to support healing

Outcome:
Your child gains new mobility and functional opportunity—paired with feeding support to help them begin integrating new movement right away.

Healing and rehabilitation are essential for long-term outcomes. This stage supports wound healing, oral motor integration, and confident feeding.

Recovery sessions will include:
Lactation services (as needed):

• Ongoing guidance to optimize latch, transfer, supply, positioning

Occupational therapy:

• Ongoing sessions addressing oral motor strength and coordination
• Nervous system function
• Neuromuscular re-education
• Compensatory movement patterns

Dental Follow-Up:

• Check on wound healing
• Reassess mobility
• Guidance as oral structures develop

Outcome:
Your child integrates their new function into oral motor development, and early milestones. You continue on your feeding journey with more comfort and confidence.