In this engaging episode, Lisa Paladino highlights the power of interdisciplinary teamwork in healthcare, especially in tongue tie management and lactation consulting. Drawing from her nursing career, she emphasizes the value of nurturing environments for new providers, open communication amid controversies, and the continuous journey of professional development. Lisa offers actionable insights on building strong networks of resources and referrals, empowering practitioners to confidently enhance patient care.

Key Takeaways:

• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Essential for effective healthcare and tongue tie management.
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• Mentorship & Support: Personal experiences shape a nurturing and positive work environment.
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• Education & Communication: Critical for addressing controversies and empowering new practitioners.
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• Building Networks: A strong referral system enhances patient care and professional growth.
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This episode is a must-listen for healthcare professionals looking to expand their skills, build robust networks, and transform patient care through collaboration.

Links mentioned: Insiders, educational materials link.

Resources & Links:

🔹 Learn more about tongue tie & professional education: https://www.tonguetieexperts.net/

🔹Tongue Tie Experts Insiders (mentioned in the episode) https://www.tonguetieexperts.net/Insiders

Patient Education Bundle for Professionals (now in Spanish & English): CLICK HERE

Special thanks to this week’s sponsor, CaboCréme

Learn more IG: cabo_creme FB: cabocremeusa

Receive 10% off with the coupon code TT2025.

Order here: https://cabocreme.com/products/extra-strength-cabbage-extract

More From Tongue Tie Experts:

To learn more, download freebies, and for the links mentioned in the episode, including our popular course, Understanding Milk Supply for Medical and Birth Professionals, click here: www.tonguetieexperts.net/Links

Use code PODCAST15 for 15% off all of our offerings.

A gentle disclaimer. Please do not consider anything discussed on this podcast, by myself or any guest of the podcast, to be medical advice. The information is provided for educational purposes only and does not take the place of your own medical or lactation provider.

In this episode of Tongue Tie Experts, host Lisa Paladino speaks with pediatric therapy specialists Rachel Best and Jamie Smith. They discuss their pilot study on the timing of frenotomy and its impact on treatment outcomes. The conversation explores the importance of research in infant feeding therapy, the role of pre-frenectomy care, and how tissue changes influence interventions. They also address accessibility challenges, insurance barriers, and the need for collaboration among healthcare providers. Additionally, they emphasize educating parents, recognizing feeding difficulties, and taking a holistic approach to pediatric health.

Key Takeaways:

• Multidisciplinary collaboration is essential in pediatric therapy.
• Research, including their pilot study, helps validate treatment timing.
• Pre-frenectomy therapy can improve outcomes.
• Accessibility and insurance challenges limit care options.
• Effective communication with families is crucial.
• Open mouth posture and tongue position affect oral development.
• Mouth breathing can contribute to health issues.
• Colic often requires deeper investigation.
• Individualized care leads to better outcomes.
• Online resources can support families lacking in-person access.

Rachel Best is the founder and clinical director of Small Steps Therapy LLC, where she has built a multidisciplinary, multispecialty practice that provides comprehensive, whole-body care for families. As a Speech-Language Pathologist, Certified Orofacial Myologist, and IBCLC, she is one of the few clinicians worldwide to hold all three credentials. With 17 years of experience,

Jamie Smith is the Director of Occupational Therapy at Small Steps Therapy and one of Rhode Island’s few AOTA Board-Certified Pediatric Specialists. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in infant feeding, development, and torticollis management, emphasizing the connection between tongue tie, body function, and feeding success.

Together, Rachel and Jamie are passionate about advancing pediatric therapy, supporting families, public speaking, and mentoring professionals.

You can find Small Steps Therapy here: https://www.instagram.com/smallstepstherapy/

and connect to Rachel & Jamie here:

Rachel@SmallStepsTherapy.com

Jamie@smallstepstherapy.com

More From Tongue Tie Experts:

To learn more, download freebies, and for the links mentioned in the episode, including our popular course, Understanding Milk Supply for Medical and Birth Professionals, click here: www.tonguetieexperts.net/Links

Use code PODCAST15 for 15% off all of our offerings.

A gentle disclaimer. Please do not consider anything discussed on this podcast, by myself or any guest of the podcast, to be medical advice. The information is provided for educational purposes only and does not take the place of your own medical or lactation provider.

In this episode, Lisa Paladino, CNM, IBCLC, explores the complex—and often controversial—challenges that lactation consultants face when assessing and managing tongue tie in infants. From inconsistent training and ambiguous assessments to provider disagreements and family pressures, Lisa breaks down the barriers to effective care and offers actionable strategies to overcome them.

Key Topics Covered:

• Inconsistent Training & Guidelines: Education on tongue tie varies widely, leaving many professionals with limited or conflicting knowledge. Lisa stresses the need for specialized, evidence-based continuing education and peer collaboration to build confidence and competence.
• Challenges in Assessment: Accurate diagnosis requires more than a visual check—functional assessment is key. Lisa highlights the importance of understanding oral mechanics and using supportive and proven assessment tools.
• Interprofessional Disagreements: Differing views among health care providers can confuse families and complicate care. Lisa advocates for respectful, evidence-informed communication and building a trusted referral network.
• Parental Pressure for Immediate Answers: Families often seek quick fixes amidst feeding struggles. Lisa emphasizes the value of compassionate education, managing expectations, and offering follow-up support.
• Limited Access to Qualified Providers: A shortage of experienced tongue tie professionals can hinder timely treatment. Lisa encourages exploring virtual consults, maintaining referral lists, and advocating for increased local training.

Takeaway:

Navigating tongue tie assessment and treatment is both controversial and challenging—but with the right tools, education, and collaboration, lactation consultants can support families more effectively and confidently.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

🔹Professional’s Guide to Tongue Tie : https://www.tonguetieexperts.net/Professional

🔹Tongue Tie Experts Insiders https://www.tonguetieexperts.net/Insiders

🔹ICAP: https://icapprofessionals.com/

More From Tongue Tie Experts:

To learn more, download freebies, and for the links mentioned in the episode, including our popular course, Understanding Milk Supply for Medical and Birth Professionals, click here: www.tonguetieexperts.net/Links

Use code PODCAST15 for 15% off all of our offerings.

A gentle disclaimer. Please do not consider anything discussed on this podcast, by myself or any guest of the podcast, to be medical advice. The information is provided for educational purposes only and does not take the place of your own medical or lactation provider.