Hope for TOTs Program
Hope is here for your little one with tongue and lip ties.
When you discover that your little may have a tongue/lip tie, you want help...YESTERDAY.
help & hope are here.
3 Steps
to
HOPE
We're different...in a good way.
Hope for TOTS: Healing Roadblocks to Breastfeeding
Ideally, the journey of breastfeeding should be a seamless connection between mother and baby. Yet, we understand that for many mothers, this journey is marred by pain and challenges, especially when it comes to tongue and lip ties. Despite reassurances, the struggle persists, and that's why we created our Hope for TOTS program.
Understanding the Silent Challenges
Many mothers are told that their baby's tie is "just a little one," but the reality is often different. According to the Journal of Pediatrics and Neonatology, there's a significant gap between what mothers are informed about tongue ties and the persistent breastfeeding (and sometimes lifelong!) struggles they face. We recognize the need for clarity and support in this journey.
Meet Your Lifeline: IBCLC & TOTS Specialist Dr. Erika Yancey and the Accelerate Team
At Accelerate Integrative Family Wellness, we are dedicated to providing holistic care under the guidance of Dr. Erika Yancey DC, ACN, IBCLC. As an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Dr. Erika brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to address the complexities of tongue and lip ties.
A Collaborative Team for Holistic Care
We go beyond conventional reassurances. Our team integrates chiropractic care, Craniosacral Therapy (CST), lactation consulting, feeding therapy, and speech expertise. This collaborative, interdisciplinary approach ensures that every aspect of your breastfeeding journey is considered and addressed UNDER ONE ROOF. We are proudly serving Sauk Rapids, St. Cloud, Central Minnesota, and surrounding areas. We are committed to being a beacon of support for mothers and infants facing breastfeeding struggles, pain, and concerns in our community.
Ready to embark on a pain-free and joyous breastfeeding experience? Schedule your appointment by clicking on the "Book Now" button at the top of this page.
Your TOTS Crash Course
What are TOTS?
TOTs stands for Tethered Oral Tissues, a common term used by medical providers to describe lip, tongue, and buccal ties.
TONGUE TIE: an abnormal attachment of the membrane that fastens the tongue to the floor of the mouth which may interfere with the normal mobility and function of the tongue.
LIP TIE: also called a labial frenum, is an abnormally tight attachment of the membrane that connects the upper lip/upper gum or between the lower lip/lower gum.
BUCCAL TIE: also called a cheek tie, is an abnormal attachment of the membrane that connects the gum to the inner cheek area.
Why should I care about TOTS?
Many people know that tongue and lip ties can affect breastfeeding and speech. Nursing struggles are often our first red flags to underlying restrictions.
But what many people don't know is that tethered oral restrictions can lead to biomechanical stress on the developing spine, cranial bones, and soft tissue structures. Tightness pulls things out of whack! These restrictions can compromise nervous system function which may lead to neurodevelopmental struggles, such as delayed or missed milestones, sensory processing issues, and more.
Left untreated, these stressors can also lead to a variety of health issues later in life such as asthma, chronic headaches, ear infections, enlarged tonsils & adenoids, and even visual processing.
What options do I have?
We encourage all of our clients when considering health decisions to use their B.R.A.I.N.
B - what are the BENEFITS of...
R - what are the RISKS of...
A - what are the ALTERNATIVES to...
I - what do your INSTINCTS say...
N - what happens if we do NOTHING?
We are happy to discuss all of your options and the pros/cons at your consultation!
How many appointments are included in the Hope for TOTS Program?
Most clients will come twice a week for six weeks equaling 12 total in-person visits, plus the option of additional 1:1 virtual coaching.
How do I know if my baby has a TOT (tongue and/or lip tie)?
There are several great body workers that can observe the and sight the symptoms of a tie. We follow a Katlow Classification system as do our referral partners. In MN, primary care physician, ENT’s, or an IBCLC are generally the accepted medical professionals allowed to make the diagnosis.
Why do I need an Interdisciplinary approach?
You NEED and DESERVE the "full package" when it comes to compiling your TOTS care team. A brain-based, whole body approach assures that every part of your child's health is taken into account before recommend a custom treatment plan.
Your personalized care plan includes the expert direction from a high-level lactation consultant (IBCLC), Craniosacral Therapist, Speech/Language Pathologist, Feeding Specialist, and Chiropractor.
Not only is it convenient that we provide majority of these therapies under one roof, but our providers can then co-treat and co-strategize the best plan for your family.
What does the homework portion of the program look like?
Post revision exercises are critical to the proper healing and success of your child's revision. Once in the Hope for TOTS Program, you will receive access to exercise printables, how-to videos, and a suggested schedule for stretches.
Why does my baby need body work before and after their revision?
You've probably heard the old saying, "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail". PRE and POST body work is a huge key to revision success, that's why we have built it in to our Hope for TOTS program!
Is my child "too old" to get a revision/help with their tie?
The short answer: newborns-adults receive revisions.
The longer answer:
Good - before 1 year of age
Better - before 6-9 months of age
Best: between 3-6 weeks of age and only AFTER a functional assessment by a TOTs trained IBCLC or SLP to determine the readiness of the child. Most infants work with us for 2-3 visits prior to revision.
Adults and kids over 3 years also need a functional assessment and addition prehab in the form of OMT and speech therapies.
What should I do next?
Take a deep breath, Mama! You're doing a great job. A great next step is to book a New Patient TOTs assessment via the "Book Now" button at the top of this page.