Tongue-Tie Supportive Therapies
Supporting Feeding, Comfort, and Function for Babies
A Whole-Body Approach at Best Western Dental Centre
At Best Western Dental Centre, we take a whole-body approach when caring for babies with oral restrictions. Many infants present with a combination of tongue ties, lip ties, and buccal (cheek) ties, which may affect feeding, comfort, and early oral development.
While a Waterlase frenectomy improves the mobility of restricted oral tissues, some babies also benefit from gentle supportive therapies. These therapies help address muscle tension and compensatory patterns in the jaw, cheeks, neck, and body.
Supportive therapies can:
Help prepare babies before treatment
Support healing after treatment
Improve feeding comfort and efficiency over time
For an overview of assessment and treatment, you may also find our Tongue Tie Treatment for Infants page helpful.
Why Supportive Therapies Can Be Helpful
When oral tissues have limited movement, babies often work harder during feeding. To compensate, they may overuse surrounding muscles.
As a result, tension can develop in the:
Jaw
Cheeks
Neck
Shoulders
This tension can make feeding more difficult, even after a tongue-tie or lip-tie release.
Supportive therapies aim to reduce this tension. In doing so, they help babies use their improved tongue, lip, and cheek movement more effectively.
Common Feeding Challenges Linked to Oral Restrictions
Babies with tongue, lip, or buccal ties may experience:
Shallow latch or difficulty maintaining latch
Clicking sounds or loss of suction
Preference for turning the head to one side
Cheek tension that affects suction
Noisy, tiring, or inefficient feeds
Increased wind, gas, or reflux
Fussiness or arching during feeds
Limited mouth opening or jaw tightness
These patterns can continue even after a frenectomy if underlying muscle tightness remains.
Supportive Therapy Before and After Frenectomy
Before the Release
Before treatment, gentle bodywork may:
Improve jaw, neck, and cheek mobility
Reduce muscle tension
Help the tongue lift and move more freely
This preparation can support a smoother experience for both baby and parent.
After the Release
After treatment, supportive therapies can help babies:
Coordinate tongue, lip, cheek, and jaw movement
Reduce tension from previous compensations
Tolerate and respond better to oral stretching exercises
Improve latch depth and feeding efficiency
Many parents notice:
More comfortable feeds
Reduced wind or reflux
Improved latch and suction
A more settled baby
Babies Who May Benefit Most from Supportive Therapy
Supportive therapy can be particularly helpful for babies who have experienced:
Long or difficult labour
Assisted delivery (vacuum or forceps)
Caesarean section
Torticollis or head preference
Ongoing feeding difficulties despite release
In these cases, addressing whole-body tension may help support better feeding outcomes.
Our Collaborative Approach
We work collaboratively with experienced local practitioners who understand:
Infant anatomy
Feeding mechanics
Post-frenectomy support
These therapies complement laser frenectomy and help support functional improvement over time.
Parents are free to choose any practitioner they feel comfortable with. The providers listed below are shared for convenience and continuity of care only.
Recommended Supportive Therapy Providers
Recommended Supportive Therapy Providers
The following independent practitioners have experience supporting infant feeding, oral function and babies with tongue-tie concerns. They may assist with assessment and supportive care before and after frenectomy.
Parents are free to choose any suitably qualified practitioner with whom they feel comfortable. These details are provided for convenience and continuity of care.
- Erin Bushby — Private Midwife & IBCLC Lactation Consultant
Oh Baby Midwifery & Lactation
Erin provides antenatal, postnatal and lactation support for families, including assistance with breastfeeding and infant-feeding concerns.
Clinic: InTouch Health Co.
Address: 1004, 31C Lasso Road, Gregory Hills NSW 2557
Phone: (02) 4648 3500
Email: admin@intouchhealthco.com.au
Instagram: @ohbabymidwiferyandlactation
- Keryn Thompson — Endorsed Midwife & IBCLC Lactation Consultant
Itty Bitty Bub
Keryn provides evidence-based lactation and infant-feeding support, including baby oral-function assessment and support for families with tongue-tie or lip-tie concerns. Clinic consultations and home visits are available.
Clinic: The Bond
Address: 8 Elizabeth Macarthur Drive, Bella Vista NSW 2153
Service area: The Hills District and surrounding areas
Email: admin@ittybittybub.com.au
Website: www.ittybittybub.com.au
- Emma Fitzpatrick — Registered Midwife & IBCLC Lactation Consultant
Hawkesbury Midwife
Emma provides lactation consultations, antenatal education and in-home postnatal care. She assists families with feeding concerns including positioning, attachment, milk supply and feeding comfort.
Clinic: Hawkesbury Family Health Collective
Address: 511 Bells Line of Road, Kurmond NSW 2757
Service area: Windsor, Hawkesbury, Western Sydney and surrounding areas
Email: emma@hawkesburymidwife.com
Website: www.hawkesburymidwife.com
- Dr Natasha Lunn — Paediatric Osteopath & IBCLC Lactation Consultant
Qualifications: B.AppSc (Osteo), M.Osteo, Cert IV Breastfeeding Education
Clinic: Completely Aligned
Dr Natasha Lunn provides paediatric osteopathic care and lactation support. Her clinical interests include pregnancy, paediatrics, infant feeding and supporting families with tongue-tie concerns.
Camden Clinic: 14 Broughton Street, Camden NSW 2570
Bowral Clinic: Suite 111, Springett’s Arcade, 302 Bong Bong Street, Bowral NSW 2576
Phone: (02) 4655 5588
Email: admin@completelyaligned.com.au
Website: Dr Natasha Lunn – Completely Aligned
- Dr Reena Murray — Paediatric Osteopath & IBCLC Lactation Consultant
Clinic: Completely Aligned
Dr Reena Murray provides paediatric osteopathic care and lactation support for babies and families experiencing feeding difficulties, oral-function concerns and body tension.
Camden Clinic: 14 Broughton Street, Camden NSW 2570
Bowral Clinic: Suite 111, Springett’s Arcade, 302 Bong Bong Street, Bowral NSW 2576
Phone: (02) 4655 5588
Email: admin@completelyaligned.com.au
Website: www.completelyaligned.com.au
- Dr Kara Hayes — Chiropractor
Qualifications: BSc (Psychology), DC (Doctor of Chiropractic)
Clinic: Pro-Form Physiotherapy
Dr Kara Hayes provides chiropractic assessment and supportive care for babies and families.
Address: Shop 8, 11 John Hines Avenue, Minchinbury NSW 2770
Phone: (02) 8320 6186
Email: kara@proformphysiotherapy.com.au
Website: proformphysiotherapy.com.au
If you would like to discuss whether supportive therapy may be appropriate for your baby, our team at Best Western Dental Centre is happy to guide you.