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Babies & Tethered Oral Tissues
Can babies benefit from Chiropractic care?
Yes, Chiropractic care can benefit infants and children. Whether you've had a vaginal birth or cesarean, birth can be very traumatic for an infant's neck and spine. Common issues like constipation, GI upset, trouble latching, colic, sleep disturbance, tongue or lip ties, and only turning to one side are all reasons to bring your infant in for a Chiropractic assessment.
Do you adjust babies the same way you adjust adults?
No, adjustments for infants and children require much less force. Adjusting an infant requires the same amount of force you would use to test the ripeness of a tomato. It is generally very relaxing for babies, they often fall asleep by the end of the session.
Why do you offer co-treating sessions with an IBCLC?
Stephanie Dawson is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), which means she is an expert in infant feeding. She has advanced training to address oral motor function, or how well your baby is using their tongue, cheeks, and lips. She'll also be able to help with other feeding related issues like milk production, customized latching and positioning strategies, flange fitting, pumping education, infant feeding reflexes, nervous system regulation, and more.
Dr. Katie will work with your infant during a breastfeeding session guided by the IBCLC. She'll use a very light touch, about the same amount of pressure you'd use to check the ripeness of a tomato, to help your little one unwind and improve their latch.
Reducing tension throughout the whole body that can positively impact baby's latch, feeding, reflux, colic, stooling, sleeping habits and much more!
How do I book a GROW & Achieve Co-Treating Session?
You'll need to book with both Achieve Chiropractic Care and GROW Lactation separately. We recommend pulling up our online schedules side-by-side. Select a time that is open on both schedules.
Click the link to GROW's website above and select "Book Now". Pick a time and fill in the appointment request form with the lactating parent's information. GROW does accept many commercial insurance plans. Grow is happy to accept most commercial insurance plans such as United Healthcare, Cigna, BCBS (PPO), Florida Blue / Anthem (PPO), VA CCN, PNOA and Multiplan. If you have one of these plans, you likely have full coverage for infant feeding support with GROW’s IBCLC.
To book with Achieve, click the button below. You'll select "GROW & Achieve Co-Treating Sessions". If you've never seen Dr. Katie, you'll select the "Initial Evaluation" option. If you're already one of Dr. Katie's patients, you can book a "Follow-Up". Fill out the account with your baby's information. They will be the ones receiving care. We are out-of-network with insurance, our fees can be found on our booking page below.
My baby is scheduled for a surgical tie release or has already had one. Can you still help?
Yes! Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs), also referred to as tongue, lip, and/or cheek ties occur when the normal connective tissues between structures in the mouth are abnormally tight or thick. The American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) actually recommends collaboration between multiple healthcare disciplines when dealing with ties. That's why Dr. Katie and Stephanie have teamed up and why we work with your pediatric dentist to ensure that your baby has the best outcome possible.
A tie release provides potential, not skill. You need both.
The connective tissue that abnormally restricts the tongue is part of a network of tissue, called fascia, that stretches all the way down to the big toe. Babies with TOTs will tense their jaw, neck, shoulders, and even the hip and leg muscles to compensate for this lack of motion. While the tissue that makes up the tie cannot be stretched, Dr. Katie can help these tight, compensating muscles relax.
With a relaxed jaw and neck, your dentist will be able to provide a more comfortable exam and will be able to more easily identify and completely release any ties. That's why we often recommend an appointment with the chiropractor the morning of your release, to help baby open wide for the laser.
If you've already had the release but your baby is still tense, Dr. Katie can help resolve any remaining muscle tension and will teach parents whole-body stretches and exercises to get baby to engage the muscles through their new, post-release range of motion.
Stephanie, the IBCLC, will perform a comprehensive oral motor function exam to determine how well baby is able to use their tongue, cheeks, and lips. Ideally, this is performed both before and after the release. Getting your child used to the exercises before the release will help the baby tolerate the post-release stretches that the dentist will assign to prevent reattachment. Stephanie will give you oral exercises and stretches to do at home that are specific to your baby and the aspects of feeding they struggle with.