INFANT ORAL STRENGTHENING 0-12 mos

Is your baby struggling with feeding on the Breast or Bottle? Symptoms such as clicking, lip blisters, sore nipples and reflux can all be signs of a tongue tie. But not always! Sometimes feeding symptoms are due to weakened muscles in the mouth (tongue, jaw, lip, cheeks). Has your clinician suggested "suck training" to improve latch? Is early transitioning to solids a challenge for your baby? Gagging? Reflux/vomiting? Food avoidances? Slow weight gain?

Has your baby or toddler recently had a frenectomy to treat Ankyloglossia (also referred to as tethered oral tissues/TOTS/tongue or lip tie)? Will they be having a tongue tie release soon? Allow our professional and experienced team of clinicians guide you through the frenectomy process and optimize your baby's oral motor and feeding. Proper rehabilitation post tongue or lip tie release is a critical step in preventing problems down the road such as speech, feeding, sleep, breathing, swallowing, etc. 

These sessions are for established clients who have already received an Initial Lactation/Infant Feeding Assessment with Lactation Spot. Sessions are required for babies who have received a tongue or lip tie release (frenectomy) or are being advised to have their baby's tongue tie released. These sessions are also extremely helpful and necessary for babies who need a little help strengthening their oral muscles in order to feed more efficiently. In some cases, strengthening the infant's oral muscles with oral strengthening therapy can improve oral function and feeding and avoid a release procedure. Sometimes, all we need is 4-6 sessions to meet our functional feeding goals. Some babies progress slowly and require a little more care.

While a frenectomy does address "release" of the oral structure (tight/short tissues), it does not improve muscle function nor does it address oral dysfunction, feeding or learned compensatory strategies. In fact, oral and feeding function (latch, sucking, feeding and other symptoms) can often become worse after a release if you not receive proper therapy to address function. Ideally, each baby is to receive Pre & Post Frenectomy Therapy for optimal results. It is critically important to work closely with a Speech Pathologist/Infant Feeding Specialist pre and post release to improve the function of baby's latch and sucking and prevent reattachment.

After a release, you will be provided with post-frenectomy "passive wound care instructions" by your release provider including specific oral stretches to do with your baby, but they must be done correctly to prevent reattachment. It is very important that these stretches begin within 4-6 hours after the procedure and continue consistently to ensure the best results and optimal healing. 

However, in addition to the "passive wound care stretches" that you are facilitating, it is also extremely critical for your baby to participate in Active Therapy Exercises with a Speech Pathologist trained in pre/post frenectomy care. These exercises elicit specific oral motor movements that help to improve baby's overall oral and feeding function post release including sucking, latching, swallowing, lingual mobility (range of motion) and strength. The best time to schedule your first Post-Frenectomy appointment is between 1-3 days post frenectomy. We typically need 4-6+ sessions post-frenectomy, depending on symptoms and severity, to achieve optimal function and prevent reattachment. Every baby is different. 

These Infant Oral Strengthening Sessions focus solely on baby's oral motor and sucking skills. They do not address latching or maternal lactation concerns (such as milk supply or mastitis). Follow Up Lactation Appointments are required after every 4 infant therapy sessions to reassess latch efficiency/milk transfer and assure that function is headed in the right direction.

INFANT ORAL STRENGTHENING SESSION FEE - $225 per individual session (discounted therapy packages below)

All Infant Feeding & Pre/Post-Frenectomy appointments take place in our office located in Davie

**Please note: $100 fee will be added for emergency/weekend sessions.

• 30-45min
• Individual sessions do not include an Infant Therapy Kit 
• This session focuses primarily on demonstrating/educating active suck training exercises
• Suck strengthening
• Improving oral motor skills to improve latch (breast & bottle)
• Includes Passive Stretching & Neuromuscular Re-education (active exercises)
• Includes Home Exercises 
• Communication with your release provider
• Includes post-frenectomy care instructions (including videos, photos & other resources)
• Unlimited text/email support with our clinical team

DISCOUNTED ORAL STRENGTHENING THERAPY PACKAGES

We offer discounted therapy packages at a decreased rate when paid in full. The number of sessions to purchase is dependent on your clinician's clinical recommendation based on the Initial Infant Feeding Assessment. 

All packages include an Infant Feeding and/or Post-Frenectomy Therapy Kit (see above) which includes all of the tools needed for each baby individually.

• 4 session package - $800 ($200/session)
• 6 session package  - $960 ($160/session)
• 8 session package - $1200 ($150/session)

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