Myofunctional Therapy, Airway Health, and Picky Eating with Emily Hussey

If your child has ever struggled with breastfeeding, has a narrow palate, snores, grinds their teeth, mouths breathes, or only eats soft foods and you have never been able to figure out why, this episode is going to connect every single dot.

This week I sat down with Emily Hussey, speech language pathologist, feeding therapist, myofunctional therapist, and founder of Eats and Speaks. Emily takes a whole person approach to uncovering the root causes behind feeding challenges, speech delays, tongue ties, and orofacial dysfunction. And this conversation is one of the most practical and eye opening I have had on the show.

We talked about what myofunctional therapy actually is and why it is essentially physical therapy for your mouth and breathing. We talked about tongue ties, when to release and when not to, and why the first stop should never be the surgeon. We talked about infant feeding red flags that most parents miss and what to look for before your baby even arrives. We talked about oral motor development and how a child who only eats soft foods may not be picky at all but actually unable to chew effectively. And we talked about pacifiers, when to use them, which shape to choose, and why Emily wants them gone by twelve months.

This one is a masterclass. Take notes.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

What myofunctional therapy actually is and why it is physical therapy for the mouth and breathingThe four main goals of myofunctional therapy and why nasal breathing is the foundation of everythingWhy the first stop for a potential tongue tie should never be the release provider or surgeonHow to know if your baby has a tongue tie and what the right timing for release actually looks likeWhy a tongue tie release without proper preparation beforehand often does not fix the problemWhat oral motor dysfunction looks like in picky eaters and why a child who refuses meat may not be picky at allWhy chewing is deeply connected to vagus nerve stimulation and nervous system regulationThe infant feeding red flags every parent needs to know before their baby arrivesWhy Emily recommends finding a lactation specialist before you give birth not afterWhich pacifier shapes Emily recommends and which she does notWhy Emily wants pacifiers gone by twelve months and what to replace them withWhy doing too many things at once can actually make your child's situation worseThe one piece of wisdom Emily would leave every parent with

Key Takeaways

1. Myofunctional therapy is physical therapy for your mouth and breathing.
The four goals are nasal breathing, tongue resting up in the palate, a normal swallow pattern, and elimination of oral habits. It requires a cognitive age of at least four and daily exercises to be effective.

2. The first stop for a tongue tie concern should never be the surgeon.
You would not call a surgeon if your foot hurt. The same logic applies. See a feeding specialist or myofunctional therapist first who can evaluate function not just appearance.

3. A tongue tie release without preparation often does not fix the problem.
Just like releasing an arm that has been tethered does not immediately restore function, releasing a tongue tie without bodywork, oral motor therapy, and wound care support before and after rarely produces the outcomes families are hoping for.

4. Picky eating is often an oral motor issue disguised as a preference.
Children who cannot lateralize food, who have a munch chew instead of a rotary chew, or who have restricted tongue mobility will avoid harder textures and stick to safe predictable foods. That is compensation not pickiness.

5. Chewing stimulates the vagus nerve.
This is why soft processed diets are not just a nutritional problem. They are a nervous system regulation problem. Every time we remove the need to chew we remove a powerful self-regulation tool from our children.

6. Find your lactation support before the baby arrives.
Having a specialist you already trust in your back pocket before birth is one of the most important things an expecting mother can do. Most families wait until they are exhausted and struggling and then have to find someone in a blur.

7. Just because you can do it does not mean you should.
When parents are doing too many things at once, it can blur the reasons for doing them and create more stress for everyone. Go slow. Take it one thing at a time.

Resources Mentioned

Emily Hussey:
 Website: eatsandspeaks.com
Instagram: @eatsandspeaktherapy
Facebook: Eats and Speaks Therapy
Location: Rockford, Illinois
Services: Speech therapy, myofunctional therapy, feeding therapy, infant breast and bottle feeding, lactation counseling

If this episode connected dots for you around your child's picky eating and you are wondering whether oral motor function, airway health, or tongue tie might be part of the picture, I would love to talk through it with you.

Book a free Clarity Call with me at lenalivinsky.com. We will look at your child's whole picture and figure out your next best step together.

You do not have to keep guessing.

Grab your SIGNALS shake at 10% off with code Lena10

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes.