Feeding, speech, and oral development are closely connected. In some cases, challenges with feeding, speech clarity, or oral habits may be related to how the mouth is functioning.

This page is designed to help families in the Quad Cities area better understand oral function, tongue tie, and feeding or speech concerns in infants and children, and when additional support may be helpful.

Tongue Tie & Oral Function Support in the Quad Cities

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What is Oral Function?

Oral function refers to how the lips, tongue, jaw, and surrounding muscles work together for feeding, speech, and breathing.

When these structures are not moving or coordinating as expected, it can impact a child’s ability to feed efficiently, produce clear speech, or maintain typical oral rest posture.

Oral Function Assessment and Support

Support focuses on understanding how the mouth is functioning and how that may be impacting feeding and communication.

This may include:

Assessment of oral movement and coordination
Feeding support for infants and children
Speech and oral coordination therapy
Caregiver education and home strategies
Collaboration with providers such as IBCLCs, pediatricians, dentists, or ENTs

In-home services are available throughout the Quad Cities, including Bettendorf, Davenport, Moline, Rock Island, and surrounding communities.

Signs of Tongue Tie or Oral Function Differences

Every child is different, but some patterns that may be related to tongue tie or oral function include:

Feeding (infants & babies):

Difficulty latching or staying latched during breastfeeding or bottle feeding
Clicking sounds, milk leaking, or frequent breaks during feeds
Prolonged or very short feeding sessions
Gassiness, reflux-like symptoms, or frustration during feeds

Speech & communication (toddlers & children):

Delayed speech development
Speech that is difficult for others to understand
Limited sound variety or difficulty coordinating movements for speech

Oral habits & posture:

Open mouth posture at rest
Mouth breathing
Drooling beyond what is expected for age
Thumb sucking or finger sucking beyond infancy

Sleep & regulation:

Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
Restless sleep or frequent waking

Feeding beyond infancy:

Picky eating or limited food textures
Difficulty chewing or managing certain foods

Training in Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTS)

Emily O’Kane has completed specialized training in tethered oral tissues (TOTS) through Chrysalis Orofacial, with a focus on the functional impact of tongue tie and oral restrictions on feeding, speech, and development.

Who This Support May Help

This type of support may be helpful for:

Infants with breastfeeding or bottle feeding difficulties
Toddlers with delayed speech or feeding concerns
Children with mouth breathing, drooling, or oral habits
Families with concerns about tongue tie or oral development
LEAP Speech & Lactation provides in-home support for tongue tie, feeding, and oral function across the Quad Cities, including Bettendorf, Davenport, Moline, Rock Island, East Moline, Eldridge, and surrounding areas.

Not Sure if Tongue Tie or Oral Function is a Concern?

If you’re unsure whether this applies to your child, a quick conversation can help determine next steps for feeding, speech, or oral development.