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Bodywork and Tongue & Lip Tie
Resources & Referrals
What is bodywork?

 

Bodywork can be beneficial for babies struggling with breastfeeding in several ways, especially when there are physical challenges affecting their ability to latch, suck, or maintain effective feeding patterns. They can help with several conditions that affect breastfeeding, including:

  1. Torticollis: Tight neck muscles make it hard for the baby to turn their head or latch comfortably.

  2. Body Asymmetry: Uneven muscle tone or tightness in the shoulders, jaw, or trunk can affect feeding posture.

  3. Oral Restrictions: Restricted tongue mobility impacts latching and sucking.

  4. Weak Oral Muscles: Difficulty sucking due to weak mouth, jaw, or tongue muscles can be improved with bodywork techniques.

  5. Prematurity: Preterm babies often struggle with muscle strength, coordination, and suck–swallow–breathe patterns.

  6. Birth Trauma: Misalignments or muscle tension from a difficult birth (e.g., vacuum or forceps delivery, prolonged pushing) can affect feeding.

  7. Reflux: Babies with reflux may need help with posture and alignment during feeding for comfort.

 

How do they do it?

  1. Manual Therapy: Gentle techniques like myofascial release or craniosacral therapy to reduce tension in muscles affecting latch.

  2. Oral–Motor Exercises: Improving tongue, jaw, and lip strength for better sucking and latch.

  3. Stretching: Addressing tight neck muscles (like torticollis) or body asymmetry.

  4. Positioning: Helping with optimal feeding positions and posture.

  5. Coordination: Supporting suck–swallow–breathe coordination, especially in preemies or babies with feeding difficulties.

  6. Parental Education: Teaching parents exercises and techniques to support breastfeeding at home.

 

RECOMMENDED BODYWORK PROVIDERS

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Physical Therapy

 

Osteopathy

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Chiropractic

 

Occupational Therapy

 

Craniosacral & Myofacial Therapy

 

Speech–Language Pathology

 

Maternal Providers

 

Therapeutic Breast Ultrasound

  • Vincent LaSorsa, DC – Liberty Corner, 908–647–7766, libertycornerchiro.com

  • Lima Iype, PT – Ridgewood, Hoboken, some home visits, 914–471–1432, limapt.com

  • RWJ Barnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center – Livingston, 973–322–7800

What are lip and tongue ties?

 

A tongue tie is a condition where the thin piece of tissue (called the lingual frenulum) that connects the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth is shorter, thicker, or tighter than usual.

 

A lip tie is a condition where the labial frenulum restricts the lip's ability to flare out like a Pringle. This can restrict the movement of the tongue and affect your baby’s ability to breastfeed effectively.

 

Do any of these signs sound familiar?​

  • Painful, shallow latch at the breast

  • Nipples that look damaged, creased, flattened, or lipstick-shaped after feeds

  • Baby falls asleep quickly while nursing

  • Trouble moving milk well, which can cause clogged ducts, mastitis, or a drop in supply

  • Baby isn’t gaining weight well or still seems hungry after feeding

  • Lip tucks under when nursing or taking a bottle

  • Frequent spit-up or reflux

  • Lots of gas, fussiness, colic-like crying, or frequent hiccups (even before birth)

  • Clicking sounds, slipping off, or frustration at the breast or bottle

  • Blisters or callouses on baby’s lips

  • White coating on the tongue that doesn’t wipe away

  • Snoring, noisy breathing, or mouth breathing

  • Milk leaking out of the mouth during feeds

  • Congested-sounding after eating

  • Trouble with pacifiers or bottles (won’t take them or won’t keep them in)

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Untreated tongue and lip ties can lead to:

  • Feeding challenges at the breast or bottle, sometimes leading to early weaning or colic-like symptoms

  • Trouble transitioning to solids, picky eating, or gagging on textures

  • Speech delays or ongoing articulation difficulties

  • Dental and oral hygiene issues, such as gaps between front teeth or trouble clearing food from the mouth

  • Mouth breathing, snoring, or disrupted sleep (including sleep apnea)

  • Neck, jaw, or facial tension, which can contribute to TMJ or frequent headaches

 
RECOMMENDED TONGUE & LIP TIE RELEASE PROVIDERS

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Dr. Amy Schecter, MD, IBCLC, Breastfeeding Medicine of New Jersey

West Caldwell, 973-826-9226, breastfeedingmedicinenj.com
in-network with Aetna, uses surgical scissors
 

Dr. Narpat Jain, EM Dental

Tenafly,  201-733-4819, emdental.com/tongue-lip-ties

dentist, uses laser, does not take insurance

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Dr. Scott Siegel

Midtown NYC, 212-204-7923, drscottsiegel.com/tongue-lip-tie

dentist, uses laser, does not take insurance

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Dr. Matthew Mannella, Pediatric Dental Associates of Randolph

Randolph, 973-989-7970, pediatric-dental.com

dentist, uses laser does not take insurance


Dr. Ross Levine, Growing Smiles in Floral Vale

Yardley, PA (30 min. from Flemington), 215-860-9808, growingsmilespa.com

dentist, uses laser does not take insurance

Maplewood Lactation - Danielle Tropea, MPH, IBCLC

danielle@maplewoodlactation.com

‪973-310-2884‬

Providing office visits in Maplewood, NJ, telehealth, and in-home visits (for an additional fee).

Book now!

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There is a travel fee of $2/minute beyond a 20-minute drive from Maplewood, NJ 07040.

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Essex County: Belleville, Bloomfield, Caldwell, East Orange, Essex Fells, Irvington, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair, Newark, North Caldwell, Orange, South Orange, Verona, West Caldwell, West Orange

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Morris County: Chatham, Madison, and Southern and Western towns

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Union County: Berkeley Heights, Cranford, Elizabeth, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden, Mountainside, New Providence, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle Park, Springfield, Summit, Union, Westfield.

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©2022 by IBCLC Danielle.

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