How to Release Oral Tension & Improve Coordination

If we think about the birthing process from our baby’s standpoint, it’s easier to understand how they can hold body tension post delivery. Can you imagine being in the fetal position for 9 months and NOT accruing tension? Just like by the end of a long road trip we need to stretch our legs- the feeling is the same for our baby. However, they don’t know what they need or how to help the tension yet so, that’s where we come in. For infant’s who hold body tension we can start with at-home exercises and stretches but, sometimes our baby’s tension needs professional release. This can be provided from a Craniosacral Bodyworker, Pediatric Occupational Therapist or a Pediatric Physical Therapist. We have several local practitioners listed on our referrals page if you’d like to skip to the good part!

Let’s Talk At-home Stretches and Exercises

If you think about having a knee surgery or replacement, in theory after surgery we’ll be in better shape than before, right? However, if we don’t learn how to use the new knee and surrounding muscles through post-op physical therapy, then ARE we in better shape? Probably not. This same thinking applies to infant’s who have had an oral release- they need to learn how to use those new muscles so they can apply them during feedings. And, just because we release the oral tie(s) doesn’t mean we release the associated tension in the surrounding fascia tissue. So how can we do that and when do we start? Let’s start NOW!

First things first, just with any exercise, consistency is key. Only you know how much time you have per day to dedicate to infant stretching but we like to start with 3 times a day! So to keep it simple, let’s do the following exercises in sets of 3 also.

We’ve developed an acronym to help us remember these 5 exercises, we call it TFMIM or Tongue and Facial Muscle Infant Massage.

TMJ circles
Fish Squishes
Mustache Circles
Inner check “C”
Meltdowns from forehead to shoulders and hold if baby allows.