The Tongue Tie Experts Podcast

Lisa Paladino CNM IBCLC

Lisa Paladino discusses topics related to tongue tie and breastfeeding, from her unique perspective as a Midwife and Lactation Consultant with over 30 years of experience. If you are a parent looking for information beyond what google is telling you, or a professional who is curious to learn more than what you learned in school on this topic, this podcast is for you. 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.

  1. 2d ago

    Beyond Internet Advice: Improving Access for families: Episode 139

    In this episode, Lisa welcomes Tiffany Washington, RN, BSN, IBCLC, for a conversation about the gaps in breastfeeding support and what happens when families don’t know where, or when, to reach out for help. Drawing from their experiences in both hospital and private-practice lactation care, Lisa and Tiffany discuss the very different roles of inpatient and outpatient lactation consultants and why families can easily lose support during the transition home. They explore why lactation care should begin earlier, including during pregnancy, and how understanding the full maternal and infant history can help clinicians connect the dots when feeding isn’t going as expected. They also talk about the importance of recognizing lactation as a specialty. Not every breastfeeding problem has the same solution, and not every IBCLC has the same area of expertise. Finding the right provider - and knowing when another member of the healthcare team is needed, can make an enormous difference. Tiffany shares why she created Droplet, a platform designed to help families find private-practice IBCLCs and access reliable breastfeeding education, and why getting families to appropriate clinical care sooner is at the heart of her work. Learn more about Tiffany and Droplet at droplet.baby. More from Tongue Tie Experts Explore additional resources, including downloads, free guides, and links mentioned in this episode—along with access to our courses and new book: 👉 www.tonguetieexperts.net/Links Use code PODCAST15 for 15% off all offerings. This podcast is meant for education and conversation only. It is not medical advice and does not replace formal education, professional training, or individualized care from a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek appropriate guidance for individual concerns. The views and opinions shared by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Tongue-tie experts.

  2. Sep 18

    Who Decides the Value of Lactation Care? Episode 138

    In this episode, Lisa is joined by her friend Olena Dobchansky, MSN, RNC-MNN, IBCLC, C-ONQS, LCCE, for a spontaneous and honest conversation about something weighing heavily on many lactation professionals right now: What is the value of the care we provide, and who gets to decide? What started as a morning text about Lisa’s own frustration with the state of lactation care quickly became a much bigger conversation about insurance, reimbursement, healthcare systems, professional identity, and the emotional toll of trying to provide deeply personal care within systems that do not always support it. Lisa and Len the RN (her Substack handle), discuss current conversations around lactation reimbursement, why traditional healthcare models do not reflect the time and complexity of lactation care, and the differences between hospital-based care, private practice, breastfeeding support, clinical lactation care, and breastfeeding medicine. They also explore what happens when systems fail to connect families with the care that already exists. Lisa shares experiences from her years working within hospital systems and reflects on the frustration of seeing mothers continue to struggle despite increased attention to breastfeeding initiatives. The conversation goes beyond reimbursement to the emotional side of this work: birth trauma, maternal anxiety, feeding struggles, informed choice, and the importance of really listening to what families are experiencing. This is not an episode with easy answers. It is a candid conversation between two longtime clinicians asking bigger questions about the systems surrounding lactation care - and what needs to change if we want both families and the professionals who care for them to be better supported. In this episode, Lisa and Olena discuss:What it really means to value lactation careWhy insurance reimbursement does not always reflect the complexity of the workCurrent conversations around CMS, lactation care, and reimbursementHow healthcare systems can influence the care clinicians are able to provideThe differences between breastfeeding support, clinical lactation care, and breastfeeding medicineRN IBCLCs, non-nurse IBCLCs, and the different backgrounds professionals bring to lactation careWhy hospital breastfeeding initiatives do not always translate into meaningful support after dischargeThe importance of strong referral pathways and interdisciplinary connectionsThe emotional and physical demands placed on lactation professionalsMoral injury and what happens when clinicians cannot provide the care they believe families needBirth trauma, breastfeeding distress, and the experiences mothers may not be saying out loudWhy listening to the mother has to remain central to lactation careOlena’s question: “Are you in a functional breastfeeding relationship?”Why different families may need different levels of breastfeeding and lactation supportWhat may be at stake for the future of lactation care Sometimes improving a system starts with being willing to question it. And this conversation asks an important one: Who decides the value of lactation care? Find Olena Olena Dobchansky on substack here: https://substack.com/@thepartumconnection More from Tongue Tie Experts Explore additional resources, including downloads, free guides, and links mentioned in this episode—along with access to our courses and new book: 👉 www.tonguetieexperts.net/Links Use code PODCAST15 for 15% off all offerings. This podcast is meant for education and conversation only. It is not medical advice and does not replace formal education, professional training, or individualized care from a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek appropriate guidance for individual concerns. The views and opinions shared by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Tongue-tie experts.

  3. Sep 4

    Breathless: A Family Story of Sleep, Airway, and Health: Episode 137

    In this episode, Lisa talks with dentist, board-certified dental sleep medicine specialist, and author Dr. Maria Sokolina about the powerful connections between breathing, sleep, oral function, and whole-body health. Dr. Sokolina shares how her background in cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics led her to recognize that protecting the teeth also requires understanding what happens while a person sleeps. They discuss grinding and clenching, tongue tie, airway development, restless sleep in children, and the ways sleep-disordered breathing can affect energy, behavior, relationships, cardiovascular health, and overall quality of life. They also explore Dr. Sokolina’s novel, Breathless, which weaves airway and sleep education into an emotional family story. Through themes of love, immigration, cultural adjustment, and personal transformation, the book helps readers recognize symptoms and connections that may otherwise be difficult to understand through science alone. In this episode: Why dentistry, orthodontics, sleep, and airway health are deeply connectedSigns that a child’s restless or unusual sleep may deserve a closer lookHow breathing and sleep disorders can appear across generationsThe relationship between sleep apnea, grinding, health, and quality of lifeWhy storytelling can make complex health information easier to understandThe responsibility professionals have to translate research for families Check out Lisa’s appearance on her show on YouTube Connect: Instagram LinkedIn Dr. Maria’s book - Breathless: A Medical Mystery of the Hidden Epidemic More from Tongue Tie Experts Explore additional resources, including downloads, free guides, and links mentioned in this episode—along with access to our courses and new book: 👉 www.tonguetieexperts.net/Links Use code PODCAST15 for 15% off all offerings. This podcast is meant for education and conversation only. It is not medical advice and does not replace formal education, professional training, or individualized care from a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek appropriate guidance for individual concerns. The views and opinions shared by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Tongue-tie experts.

  4. Aug 21

    What’s Going Wrong with The Infant Microbiome and Why Does it Matter? Episode 136

    In this episode, Lisa talks with Stephanie Culler, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Persephone Biosciences and lead author of the My Baby Biome Study, the largest U.S. study profiling the infant gut microbiome. Stephanie explains why many modern babies are missing important species of bifidobacteria, even when they are born vaginally and breastfed. They discuss how birth practices, antibiotics, diet, breast milk, prebiotics, and environmental exposures may shape a baby’s developing microbiome. Lisa and Stephanie also explore the importance of avoiding parental guilt, why early microbial development may influence future health, and what families and healthcare professionals should look for when evaluating infant probiotic products. In this episode: Why bifidobacteria are considered foundational to the infant gutHow breast milk oligosaccharides feed beneficial bacteriaThe effects of cesarean birth and antibiotics on microbial developmentWhy breastfeeding remains important even when key bacteria are missingConnections being studied between the microbiome, eczema, allergies, and immune healthHow diet, fiber, fermented foods, and environmental exposure support microbial diversityWhat to consider when choosing a probiotic for an infantWhy clinical testing and strain-specific research matterHow restoring missing microbes may support the developing gut ecosystem Learn more about the work of Stephanie Culler, PhD here: Persephone.bio. More from Tongue Tie Experts Explore additional resources, including downloads, free guides, and links mentioned in this episode—along with access to our courses and new book: 👉 www.tonguetieexperts.net/Links Use code PODCAST15 for 15% off all offerings. This podcast is meant for education and conversation only. It is not medical advice and does not replace formal education, professional training, or individualized care from a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek appropriate guidance for individual concerns. The views and opinions shared by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Tongue-tie experts.

  5. Aug 7

    Tongue Tie Care in Mexico: A Pediatric Dentist’s Perspective: Episode 135

    In this episode, Lisa talks with Dr. Fatima Montelongo Solís, a pediatric dentist, lactation consultant, professor, and tongue tie release provider from Mexico City. Dr. Fatima shares how her own journey into motherhood opened the door to lactation, infant care, and eventually tongue tie work. They discuss what tongue tie care looks like in Mexico, including the limited number of professionals trained in release, rehabilitation, and functional assessment. Dr. Fatima shares how important it has been to collaborate with pediatricians, educate families without pressure, and support parents in making informed decisions. This conversation is a beautiful reminder that although tongue tie care may look different in different countries, the goal is the same: helping babies feed, breathe, grow, and function well while supporting families with compassion and clarity. In this episodeLisa and Dr. Fatima discuss: How Dr. Fatima became interested in lactation and tongue tie careWhat tongue tie treatment currently looks like in MexicoWhy many providers were not trained to understand tongue tie beyond speech concernsThe importance of working with pediatricians and other trusted providersWhy families need information, not pressureHow lactation consultants, pediatric dentists, therapists, and pediatricians can work togetherWhy therapy and functional diagnosis matter before and after releaseThe role of ICAP in creating interdisciplinary learning and collaborationWhy holistic care means looking at the whole baby, not just the mouth Dr. Fatima Montelongo Solís is a pediatric dentist from Mexico City. She is also a lactation consultant, tongue tie release provider, and university professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Her practice focuses heavily on lactation, tongue tie, oral restrictions, and supporting babies and children through a collaborative, functional approach. Connect with her on IG here: @fatimaodontopediatra More from Tongue Tie Experts Explore additional resources, including downloads, free guides, and links mentioned in this episode—along with access to our courses and new book: 👉 www.tonguetieexperts.net/Links Use code PODCAST15 for 15% off all offerings. This podcast is meant for education and conversation only. It is not medical advice and does not replace formal education, professional training, or individualized care from a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek appropriate guidance for individual concerns. The views and opinions shared by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Tongue-tie experts.

  6. Jul 24

    How Professional Connection Moves Tongue Tie Care Forward: Episode 134

    In this episode, Lisa welcomes RN, IBCLC, and fellow podcaster Katie Oshita for a wide-ranging conversation about professional connection, interdisciplinary learning, emerging research, and telehealth in tongue tie and lactation care. Katie shares how traveling across the United States and Canada inspired her podcast, Katie the Traveling LC, and gave her the opportunity to meet and learn from professionals working in different disciplines, communities, and countries. Lisa and Katie reflect on their experience at the ICAP conference and what makes it such a valuable space for tongue tie professionals. They discuss the importance of curiosity, collaboration, honest conversations about complications, and being willing to learn from providers who approach care differently. They also explore why stronger research is so important in this field, including emerging work related to tongue posture, whole-body function, aftercare, reattachment, measurable outcomes, and whether tongue ties should be released when feeding and function are going well. The conversation concludes with a discussion of telehealth and how virtual care can connect families with specialized providers, expand access beyond their local communities, and help parents become active participants in assessing and supporting their babies. In this episode: How podcasting and travel helped Katie build a wider professional networkWhy learning outside our local and professional “bubbles” mattersWhat makes ICAP’s interdisciplinary and international approach uniqueThe value of discussing complications and imperfect outcomes openlyHow emerging research may shape tongue tie assessment and aftercareWhy providers need to remain curious and willing to change their practicesThe advantages and limitations of virtual lactation and tongue tie care Connect with Katie at cuddlesandmilk.com and listen to her podcast, Katie the Traveling LC. More from Tongue Tie Experts Explore additional resources, including downloads, free guides, and links mentioned in this episode—along with access to our courses and new book: 👉 www.tonguetieexperts.net/Links Use code PODCAST15 for 15% off all offerings. This podcast is meant for education and conversation only. It is not medical advice and does not replace formal education, professional training, or individualized care from a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek appropriate guidance for individual concerns. The views and opinions shared by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Tongue-tie experts.

  7. Jul 10

    Sensory Processing, Head Shape, and Whole-Body Feeding Support: Episode 133

    In this episode, Lisa welcomes Jess Draper, a holistic infant occupational therapist, IBCLC, and pelvic floor therapist based in Eugene, Oregon. Through her practice, Hali’a Therapeutics, Jess provides concierge-style care for families from pregnancy through the first year of life, bringing a whole-body, nervous-system-informed lens to feeding, oral motor function, movement, milestones, and tongue tie care. Lisa and Jess talk about the important role occupational therapy can play in infant feeding and tongue tie care, especially when babies are struggling with regulation, sensory processing, oral motor coordination, head shape, or feeding patterns that do not fit neatly into one category. Jess explains sensory processing in a practical way, including how babies take in, filter, and respond to touch, sound, movement, and oral input. They discuss how sensory differences may show up during feeding, such as gagging, popping on and off the breast, difficulty reorganizing after switching sides, or becoming easily overwhelmed by movement, sound, or touch. They also explore neuroplasticity, mirror neurons, and why babies often need support learning how to use new tongue mobility after release. Jess shares why infant care should include more than identifying restriction, and why supporting function, movement, and nervous system regulation can make such a difference. The conversation also includes an important discussion about head shape, palate shape, birth positioning, time in containers, and how the body’s structure can influence feeding. Lisa and Jess emphasize the importance of looking at the whole baby, not just the mouth. Lisa and Jess discuss:How occupational therapy fits into infant feeding and tongue tie careWhat sensory processing means in babiesSigns that sensory overwhelm may be affecting feedingWhy some babies struggle with oral input, movement, or switching sidesNeuroplasticity, mirror neurons, and infant oral motor learningWhy babies may need help learning to use new tongue mobilityHow head shape and palate shape can affect feedingThe impact of birth positioning, prematurity, and time in containersWhy whole-body assessment matters before and after tongue tie releaseSupporting both baby and parent as a connected dyad Connect with Jess DraperInstagram: @haliatherapeutics Email: jess@haliaot.com More from Tongue Tie ExpertsExplore additional resources, including downloads, free guides, and links mentioned in this episode—along with access to our courses and new book: 👉 www.tonguetieexperts.net/Links Use code PODCAST15 for 15% off all offerings. This podcast is meant for education and conversation only. It is not medical advice and does not replace formal education, professional training, or individualized care from a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek appropriate guidance for individual concerns. The views and opinions shared by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Tongue-tie experts.

  8. Jun 26

    When Clinical Experience Meets Research in Tongue Tie Care: Episode 132

    In this episode, Lisa talks with pediatric dentist Dr. Brynn Leroux about how research, standardized tools, and clinical experience are helping move tongue tie care forward. They discuss current ICAP - related research on pre-op and post-op stretches, why aftercare language needs to be clearer, and how providers can better track outcomes using function-based tools. Lisa and Dr. Leroux also talk about reattachment, lip ties, buccal ties, whole-body tension, and the importance of individualized care before and after release. In this episode:Why research matters in tongue tie careWhat we still need to learn about aftercare and reattachmentHow symptom tracking helps assess functionThe role of lip ties, buccal ties, and body tensionPractical pearls from Dr. Leroux’s pediatric dental practice Connect with Dr. Leroux - Website: https://www.aipdbr.com/ Ig: https://www.instagram.com/associatesinpediatricdentistry/ Special thanks to our sponsor Map My Milk. Find out more at https://www.mapmymilk.com/ Use code TONGUETIE20 for 20% off either our monthly subscription (regularly $7.99) or lifetime access (regularly $54.99). More from Tongue Tie Experts Explore additional resources, including downloads, free guides, and links mentioned in this episode—along with access to our courses and new book: 👉 www.tonguetieexperts.net/Links Use code PODCAST15 for 15% off all offerings. This podcast is meant for education and conversation only. It is not medical advice and does not replace formal education, professional training, or individualized care from a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek appropriate guidance for individual concerns. The views and opinions shared by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Tongue-tie experts. Mentioned in this episode: Map My Milk

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About

Lisa Paladino discusses topics related to tongue tie and breastfeeding, from her unique perspective as a Midwife and Lactation Consultant with over 30 years of experience. If you are a parent looking for information beyond what google is telling you, or a professional who is curious to learn more than what you learned in school on this topic, this podcast is for you. 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.

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