Oral Tension - What it Means, Who to See, and Why!
First things first. When we are performing an exam on a little we are always looking for concerns that haven’t been addressed or maybe have, but parents still don’t feel comfortable with what they’ve been told. We as providers are here to provide support, resources and recommendations! If you’ve been told there’s nothing wrong despite having concerns, if you suspect oral tension in your little, please read on!
Signs of Oral Tension We Are Looking For:
Gassiness/Fussiness
Head turn/ tilt or preference for one side
Falls asleep at feeds
MOM- pain while feeding
Frequent hiccups in utero and now
Frequent spitting up
Reflux
Clicking while feeding
Choking, coughing or even gagging while feeding
Lips don't flange open like a duck when feeding/ get tucked under
Blisters on the lips
Open mouth breathing
"Chomping" while feeding
Poor suck pattern
Doesn't like tummy time
Looking like a "tense baby"
Ability to hold head up at birth
Constant congestion
Strong gag reflex
If My Kiddo Has These Does it Mean They Have an Oral Tie?
Short answer? NOPE! Releases are only recommended if there is a FUNCTIONAL issue relating to oral tension. How do we determine this? Great question…
How Do I Know if My Kiddo Needs a Release? Who Do I Need to See?
We are a big fan of working with other providers. Our care team always consists of an IBCLC (a specific lactation consultant) and a Pediatric Dentist. We always recommend seeing an IBCLC (specifically an IBCLC, not just CLC) who will help assess oral function and how it relates to feeding (whether breast or bottle). This is a huge marker for whether we need a release to address oral tension or not. Sometimes a couple of oral patterning/coordination exercises or even a positioning change-up can do the trick. It is highly recommended that your kiddo sees a bodyworker as well (hands raised here) for a short trial of care to try to reduce symptoms, increase ranges of motion and decrease any contributing factors and concerns. This allows us to weed out any musculoskeletal reasons such as tension from in-utero positioning that might be contributing to poor feeding, decreased function or might actually be the cause of the symptoms! This is also important because it can allow for a better result post-release (if needed). If kiddo has full range of motion of the head, neck and shoulders then we can decrease the need of a subsequent revision and increase the effectiveness and success of the release on the first go-around! This is a huge reason that Pediatric Dentists recommend bodywork pre- and post-release! If we are able to decrease concerns and symptoms with bodywork and lactation (IBCLC) then YAY! WE DID IT!
Every case is different and individual so it’s always great to chat in person. If you have any questions about oral tension in littles please feel free to reach out!
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Schedule an appointment today online or by calling or texting our office at (720) 403-8255.