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.

“I can hardly believe it—we’ve made it to 100 episodes! When I first started the Tongue Tie Expert’s podcast, my goal was simple: to educate, support, and connect professionals working with tongue-tied infants and their families. But I never could have imagined the incredible journey it would become.

Reaching this milestone is no small feat—most podcasts don’t make it this far—and it’s all thanks to you: our dedicated listeners, expert guests, and the passionate community that continues to grow around this work.

So today, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for tuning in, for sharing, for learning alongside me, and for being part of this journey.

To celebrate, we’re offering a special discount—40% off all courses this week only! Use code 100THEPISODE at checkout.

Thank you for being part of this community. Here’s to the next 100 episodes! ”

In this episode of The Tongue Tie Experts Podcast, Lisa Paladino speaks with Dr. Justin Roche and Kate Roche, founders of the National Tongue Tie Center in Ireland. They discuss their unique approach to tongue tie treatment, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, individualized care, and the development of a professional tongue tie toolkit.

The conversation explores early intervention’s impact on toddler development, sleep quality, and sensory integration. Justin and Kate share insights on patient-centered care, including the use of conscious sedation to reduce stress and improve outcomes. While treatment approaches may vary among professionals, the underlying principles remain the same—prioritizing function, feeding, and patient well-being. They also stress the importance of consumer awareness and professional education in improving outcomes for children.

Key Takeaways:

✔ Interdisciplinary collaboration enhances tongue tie treatment.

✔ Individualized care is key—no two patients are the same.

✔ Early intervention can unlock a child's potential.

✔ Sleep quality, not just duration, impacts overall health.

✔ Breastfeeding struggles can signal future health concerns.

✔ Healthcare professionals must continuously learn and adapt.

✔ Increased consumer awareness empowers parents and providers.

Resources & Links:

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

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

🔹More about Dr. Roche & Kate Roche: National Tongue Tie Center

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 calls on her experience and current literature to discuss the procedure for frenotomy for breastfeeding infants, focusing on the tools used, the types of providers who perform the procedure, and the associated risks and precautions.

She emphasizes the importance of understanding these aspects for professionals who work with infants and breastfeeding. Lisa also highlights the differences between scissor releases and laser releases, explaining the benefits of using a CO2 laser. She advises choosing an experienced provider and following proper aftercare instructions. Additionally, she stresses the importance of working with a lactation consultant before and after the release procedure.

Reference: Garrocho-Rangel A, Herrera-Badillo D, Pérez-Alfaro I, Fierro-Serna V, Pozos-Guillén A. Treatment of ankyloglossia with dental laser in paediatric patients: Scoping review and a case report. Eur J Paediatr Dent. 2019 Jun;20(2):155-163. doi: 10.23804/ejpd.2019.20.02.15. PMID: 31246095.

More on Frenotomy:

https://www.tonguetieexperts.net/blog

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.