How do I know whether my child needs an oral function assessment?

Does any of this sound familiar?

• Painful or ineffective breast or bottle feeding (biting, shallow latch, clicking)
• Low milk supply 
• Slow or rapid infant weight gain
• Mouth breathing, snoring, or restless sleep
• Reflux, colic, or gassiness
• Picky eating or messy mealtimes
• Thumb sucking or pacifier dependence
• Pacifier rejection
• Teeth grinding, jaw clenching, or difficulty opening wide

These are signs that your child's oral function may need support. Left unaddressed, they can lead to speech delays, sleep issues, crowded teeth, and digestive problems.
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The good news? Early intervention is the most effective — and least expensive — path to lasting improvement.

Why families choose us:

Led by Mary Miller, PhD, IBCLC — the only doctoral-level lactation consultant in the region — our team brings original research and hands-on expertise in tethered oral tissues. Dr. Miller's master's thesis and doctoral dissertation both focused on tethered oral tissues, giving our practice a depth of specialized knowledge you won't find elsewhere. Our second provider, Marissa Bierl, IBCLC, trained directly under Dr. Miller, ensuring a consistent and specialized approach in every appointment.
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We specialize in the complex cases that general providers aren't trained to handle. While many rely on limited experience, we bring advanced education and research in tethered oral tissues and orofacial development — so you get answers, not guesswork.
Whether you're breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or introducing solids, we can help with:

• Painful or ineffective feeding
• Colic, reflux, and slow weight gain
• Suspected tongue or lip ties

​Our credentials:
IBCLC · Tethered Oral Tissues Specialty Certification · Membership:
ICAP · USLCA · ILCA