Tongue Ties in Babies: Is Your Baby Just Tight or Truly Tied? with Lynnelle King | #165
Healthy As A MotherShow Notes
Tongue ties are one of the most misunderstood topics in infant feeding and airway health and many parents are left confused, dismissed, or unsure what to do next.
In this episode, Dr. Morgan sits down with IBCLC and craniosacral therapist Lynnelle King to break down the difference between babies who are simply “tight” versus babies who are truly tongue tied, why oral function matters far beyond breastfeeding, and how ties can impact everything from milk transfer and nipple pain to palate development, breathing, sleep, and long-term airway health.
They discuss common signs of oral ties, including clicking while nursing, blistered lips, white-coated tongues, poor milk transfer, gas, tension patterns, and recurring breastfeeding struggles. The conversation also dives into craniosacral therapy, fascial tension, healing after tie releases, timing of releases, and why individualized care matters so much for both mom and baby.
This episode is packed with nuanced discussion for parents trying to decide whether bodywork alone is enough, when a release may actually be necessary, and how to better advocate for yourself if you feel something isn’t right with your baby’s feeding experience.
00:00 Trailer + Intro 00:42 Why Tongue Ties Matter 02:55 Meet IBCLC Lynnelle King 05:40 Finding Lactation Support Before Birth 07:48 What Craniosacral Therapy Is 11:04 Tight vs Tied Explained 12:37 Are Tongue Ties More Common Today? 14:00 Airway Health & Modern Facial Development 15:38 Early Tongue Tie Releases 17:03 Why Tie Releases Aren’t a Quick Fix 18:44 Long-Term Effects of Tongue Ties 21:06 Common Signs of Oral Ties 22:24 High Palates & Airway Development 25:10 Understanding Fascial Tension 32:32 Can Bodywork Alone Fix Tongue Ties? 35:22 Why Lynnelle Only Did Bodywork for 4 Years 36:36 Are Tongue Tie Releases Harmful? 37:50 Why Some Tie Releases “Don’t Work” 41:35 How Tongue Tie Healing Actually Works 44:47 How Providers Assess Tight vs Tied 46:32 Best Timing for a Tongue Tie Release 53:37 The Ideal Window for Treatment 56:32 What Happens If You Wait Too Long 58:29 Why Early Lactation Support Matters 63:00 The Mental Health Impact of Feeding Struggles 64:47 Trusting Your Mother’s Intuition 65:28 Final Thoughts & Resources
Resources From This Episode: Breath by James Nestor Intake Magnetic Airway Strips Strolling Under The Skin YouTube Video Lynnelle's team at Family Seasons Follow Lynnelle on Instagram
Other Related Episodes: Episode #12: A Deep Dive into Tongue and Lip Ties Episode #133: Low Milk Supply
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