Not all feeding and nursing problems arise from a structural tissue restriction such as a tongue tie or lip tie. Many babies just need a gentle release and reintegration of their bodies after experiencing the birthing process.
Some children look restricted yet function normally. Other children look normal yet struggle with acceptable fun
Not all feeding and nursing problems arise from a structural tissue restriction such as a tongue tie or lip tie. Many babies just need a gentle release and reintegration of their bodies after experiencing the birthing process.
Some children look restricted yet function normally. Other children look normal yet struggle with acceptable function.
By optimizing function through BabyLase before permanently altering structure through surgery, you can offer your child the best of both worlds.
BabyLase has the unique benefit of helping your child's brain and body integrate through the sophistication of modern technology.
Helping babies overcome the obstacles of a traumatic birth and/or pregnancy is one of the best gifts that you can offer your child.
This safe and gentle therapy is also performed on the mothers prior to treating
BabyLase has the unique benefit of helping your child's brain and body integrate through the sophistication of modern technology.
Helping babies overcome the obstacles of a traumatic birth and/or pregnancy is one of the best gifts that you can offer your child.
This safe and gentle therapy is also performed on the mothers prior to treating the baby to not only allow her to experience the procedure, but to also optimize the outcome for the procedure. The endorphins released through this procedure provide both mother and baby a state of well-being unlike any other experience and that supports relaxation and bonding.
The decision on whether or not your child needs a surgical approach to address tongue and lip ties should be taken very seriously.
By choosing the non-surgical approach before committing to surgery, you can not only offer your child a better opportunity for success after the surgery if it is needed, but also have the possibility of avoiding the surgery completely.
There are few things harder than watching a new baby work so hard to feed. The early weeks are a season when a baby's body is still recovering from everything that pregnancy and birth asked of it, when feeding has not yet found its rhythm, and when families are often being asked to make decisions about surgery before anyone has had the chance to see what the baby can do with a little help first.
BabyLase was developed for exactly that season. A specific wavelength of invisible light is applied in a planned sequence to the mouth, face, head and neck. What a baby feels is mild warmth, and nothing more than that. Nothing is cut, nothing is numbed, and nothing about the therapy is permanent or irreversible. The therapy is offered from the newborn period through roughly twenty-four months, because infant feeding and swallowing patterns are genuinely different from those of an older child, and because the swallow continues to convert and mature until around a baby's second birthday.
BabyLase supports improvements in functional capacity, and does not claim to cure anything. It is intended to promote a more ideal environment for the body to heal itself.
The laser used for BabyLase delivers light at a wavelength the body does not see as light at all, but registers as a very slight warmth — a change of only a degree or two above the temperature the tissue already sits at. That gentle warmth is applied both inside the mouth and along the face, head and neck, following a sequence rather than a single spot.
Two things are happening at once. Warmth of this kind changes the behavior of the connective tissue and fascia beneath the surface, allowing tissue that has been holding tension to soften and lengthen. At the same time, the nerve endings in that region respond to the temperature change and send that signal inward to the brainstem. The way we describe it in training is that the laser supplies the signal and the baby's own nervous system supplies the power. This is our working model of why very small doses can be followed by visible changes within a single visit, and we present it as exactly that — a proposed mechanism that our published literature review and ongoing research are built to examine.
Responses vary a great deal from baby to baby. Some are immediate and obvious, and others are quieter and unfold over the following days. Every baby is different, and their responses are assessed together by the provider, the parents and the rest of the care team.
BabyLase was developed by Dr. Angie Tenholder, DMD, FAACP, DABCDSM, FAGD, founder of The Synergy Academy. She came to this work first as a mother who had nursing challenges with her own infant, and later as a grandmother helping the next generation navigate the same territory, and she has spent her career since supporting nursing mothers and the mothers who choose to bottle feed with equal conviction.
BabyLase began as an extrapolation of her adult and pediatric laser therapy work onto the infant population, and it became its own protocol because infants are not simply smaller children. Their feeding and swallowing patterns are different, the neurological demands of reflexive feeding sit at the center of the picture in a way they do not later on, and the swallow is still converting. Teaching this safely to other clinicians required its own curriculum, its own dosing, its own assessment and its own name.
Dr. Tenholder continues to teach BabyLase to providers around the world and to hold the training to the standard she would want for her own grandchildren.
A laser light of a very specific frequency which feels like a mild warmth is applied in a carefully planned sequence to the head, neck and mouth of the patient. This wavelength of invisible light allows tight and damaged tissues to relax by increasing circulation and reducing the restrictions specifically related to the fascial layer of the body. By targeting the areas of restriction while maximizing the impact of tissue relaxation, pain reduction, inflammation reduction and increasing blood flow, there is a profound ability of the body to heal and integrate from trauma. This technique is similar to the concept of photobiomodulation with the additional secondary benefits of cranial nerve stimulation, primitive reflex integration and neurointegration. In other words, the tissue that has been damaged is allowed to repair while simultaneously being "re-introduced" to the brain as happy, healthy, fully functioning tissue.
The results from treatment are often instant and profound while other times is slower in onset and more subtle in quality.
To experience this therapy is to believe its effects. Parents are encouraged to experience the therapy before their children are treated. It is highly recommended that the patient work with body workers and those trained in oral motor therapies (speech and language pathologist, infant feeding specialist, orofacial myofunctional therapist, chiropractor, physical therapist, craniosacral therapist, osteopathic physician, etc) before therapy to get baseline assessments as well as follow up sessions within 3 days of receiving BabyLase. The effects of this highly specialized and customized treatment are often experienced not only as an instantaneous release, but also a continued response lasting days and weeks made even more effective by complimentary care provided by trained and experienced professionals.
BabyLase Therapy allows for a time of healing and recovery as well as opportunities for forward progress not possible without this powerful clinical tool.
Each child is different and their responses are assessed by skilled and experienced providers as well as their parents and caregivers.
Each provider is different and their skill set is based on their experience , training and certifications.
Please make sure that you ask your provider about their training, experience and results before deciding on the care of you or your child.
Over the past several years, the number of babies getting recommendations for surgical releases has dramatically increased. As a result, a task force of experienced clinicians who have worked extensively in the are of breastfeeding have collected the data and feedback to create a position statement to summarize the available evidence regarding tongue-tie.
"Subjective complaints reported by mothers who are breastfeeding an infant with a tongue-tie may include latching difficulties, nipple pain, poor breast drainage, prolonged duration of individual breastfeeding sessions, and inadequate infant satiation when directly feeding at the breast. Objective findings may include nipple compression and/or damaged nipples, milk stasis within the breast, and suboptimal infant weight gain due to inefficient milk transfer/intake at the breast. As these are not uncommon issues among many breastfeeding dyads, it is important to note that they may be inappropriately attributed to an anatomically normal sublingual frenulum, which has been labeled as “restricted.” The primary importance of performing a thorough skillful clinical breastfeeding assessment, including the consideration of the differential diagnoses, and addressing these potential confounders, cannot be overstated."
The results of this intense research include the recommendation to avoid surgical intervention until conservative and functional approach has been taken.
"As tongue-tie is a functional diagnosis, the presence of a sublingual frenulum alone, a common and normal anatomic structure, is not an indication for surgical intervention. The surgical release of a restrictive sublingual frenulum, a “classic” tongue-tie, can be an effective intervention if maternal nipple pain and/or poor milk transfer cannot be corrected in a timely way through conservative measures."
"Deep oral tissue incisions, beyond the classic tongue-tie incision, in breastfeeding infants, have unique hazards and require a high level of skill and attention to avoid the potential risks of bleeding, hematoma formation, collateral tissue damage or nerve injury with resultant paresthesia, or numbness of the tongue. It is not possible to visualize all branches of the lingual nerve and infants are unable to report any loss of tongue sensation. Postprocedural pain from extensive mucosal incisions can result in oral aversion in an infant."
"The practice of surgically treating other intraoral or perioral tissue beyond the sublingual frenulum has no published evidence of improving milk transfer or of reducing maternal nipple trauma in breastfeeding dyads. The upper labial frenulum specifically is a normal structure with poor evidence for intervention improving breastfeeding and therefore cannot be recommended. Additionally, surgery to release a “buccal tie” should not be performed "
"Evidence is lacking to support the prescribing of postprocedural manual manipulation or stretching at or near the incised area after a frenotomy procedure "
"In the presence of a restrictive sublingual frenulum, frenotomy can be an effective way to increase maternal comfort and breast milk transfer by the infant. Providing this service may prevent the premature cessation of breastfeeding.
However, the decision to treat is one that requires a high level of clinical skill, judgment, and discernment.
There is an ongoing need for high-quality research in these specific areas related to the treatment of tongue-tie:
1. A clear definition of “tongue-tie” in distinction from the normal sublingual frenulum.
2. The extent of incision of the sublingual frenulum required for an optimal breastfeeding outcome.
3. Consistent documentation of immediate and long-term adverse outcomes after surgical intervention by any method,
4. Identification of the optimal surgical instrument and technique for frenotomy.
5. The subsequent long-term outcomes after frenotomy in the presence of a restrictive sublingual frenulum on effectiveness and duration of breastfeeding."
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Breastfeeding MedicineVol. 16, No. 4ABM Position Statement
Published in Volume: 16 Issue 4: April 12, 2021
As a mother who had nursing challenges with her infant,and as a grandmother who has helped the next generation overcome the obstacles of birth trauma, Dr. Angie Tenholder is passionate about supporting nursing moms as well as those who choose bottle feeding.
BabyLase is performed exclusively by highly trained providers that are allowed to operate class 4 lasers by their state or province licensing organization to include physicians, chiropractors, physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech and language pathologists. Providers working under the license of legally permitted providers can also provide BabyLase as long as their regulatory organization allows supervised delegation.
Dr. Tenholder has devoted herself to maintaining the highest quality of training for providers from all over the world who dedicate themselves to learning this innovative, conservative and effective technique.
In addition, there is a highly specific delivery system required to perform BabyLase.
Unless every component of the delivery system (laser, fiber and therapy handpiece) is being used as instructed, the results of therapy might not be as effective.
BabyLase is a technique that can only be learned through training with Dr. Tenholder and The Synergy Academy, Inc. and as provided by dentist and their assistants (depending on state regulations)
If you have been told that your child is or will be receiving BabyLase Therapy, please make sure that the provider is on the list of dental providers who have received the proper training and possess the proper equipment to create the most effective results of treatment.
If you have concerns about whether or not your child truly needs a surgical tongue tie release, BabyLase might be a good option for you and your family.
Please use the following link for a list of dental providers who have received over 16 hours of didactic and clinical training to become Authentic BabyLase providers
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Edison was born via c section after turning breech during labor. He was severely tongue tied and majorly struggling at the breast with feeding. He was officially diagnosed and revised on day 4 although clearly not being in a stable condition. He tanked and we ended up in the PICU for 5 days due to dehydration. During that time, he refused to do anything at the breast and developed a strong oral aversion. After being released from the hospital and not knowing how to get him back to breast we found Nicole (woot woot)!!! Unfortunately, at that time we did not have Babylase and it was a grueling 3 months of work before Edison was breastfeeding.
Byron was born after 23 hours of labor and 6 1/2 hours of pushing. He was born in the military position and had a brachial plexus injury. He could not coordinate his suck and swallow and was very disorganized and frustrated at the breast. We did Babylase with him several times and noticed him becoming more engaged and organized for short periods of time at the breast. It seemed to turn the lights on and help expedite things. It was still a long journey but seeing how it helped with his all over body tension, fussiness and tongue function was amazing.
Amelia had a much better labor and delivery and came out ready to eat! She was tongue tied but very determined. But she quickly tired at the breast, fed very frequently, had a shallow latch, was losing weight and causing me extreme nipple pain. We weren’t able to do the revision for several weeks but thankfully were able to do Babylase twice in the weeks prior to the revision. After Babylase she had very noticeable improvements. Her latch and tongue function were so much improved, and my nipple pain went away. She still fed frequently but became more effective with her tongue function and started gaining weight. She also was so much more relaxed and happy. We did her revision at 3 weeks old and she just took off from there and is a chunky nursing champ.
My infant daughter underwent multiple BabyLase treatments prior to her frenulectomy. I am certain this treatment plan prepared her body to be in an optimal state for the actual procedure. After the BabyLase appointments she was noticeably less tense and less fussy. Our breastfeeding journey improved significantly with the laser treatments alone. We could not be happier with our results and are truly grateful for Dr. Angie and Nicole.
"Well it's not even been a week and Little Miss Willow Dawn has quite the story already....She has been to the chiropractor 3 times due to intense labor and delivery thank you Dr. Matt Uchtman and Elevation Chiropractic. She saw the specialist Nicole Edwin at Synergy Dental yesterday in St. Louis who is phenomenal and I highly recommend! Today she had BabyLase and oral surgery with Dr. Angie Tenholder & Nicole for tongue tie and a few other issues causing some breastfeeding issues and excruciating pain for Momma with every single feed. We are happy to report that the surgery was a success we fed immediately following surgery and it was night and day difference... Momma is REAL HAPPY, to say the least. Now baby Willow can start gaining weight back and get out of these preemie clothes well because we only have 2 preemie outfits lol...Thank you to all who prayed for us during this time, God is Good! "
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