Oral Motor Development
Oral Motor Development
Building Strong Foundation
Effective feeding involves not just the mouth but also the development of oral motor skills. When a tongue tie affects an infant’s tongue movement, it can impact their ability to properly suck, swallow, and chew. This is where oral motor specialists, such as speech-language pathologists, play a critical role. They focus on enhancing the strength and coordination of the muscles involved in feeding and speech.
Oral motor specialists contribute to tongue tie management by:
These specialists evaluate the baby’s oral motor skills and identify areas that need improvement, creating tailored exercises to enhance muscle strength and coordination.
With a thorough understanding of the baby’s oral motor challenges, specialists offer exercises that promote proper tongue movement and feeding skills.
As the baby grows, they transition to solid foods. Oral motor specialists guide this transition, ensuring the development of appropriate chewing and swallowing patterns.
