Orofacial Myology
Consultations
Holistic, evidence informed support for your child's oral function, breathing, and development.
If your little one sleeps with their lips apart, mouth breathes, snores, has a low tongue resting posture, has had difficulty with feeding, or is presenting with habits like thumb sucking or prolonged dummy use, an orofacial myology consult could help.
What is orofacial myology?
Orofacial myology (OM) is the assessment and re-education of the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue to support optimal breathing, swallowing, tongue resting posture, lip seal, and chewing.
When these muscles work as they should, nasal breathing supports better sleep and oxygenation, a correct tongue posture supports jaw and airway development, and proper oral function supports feeding, speech, and overall wellbeing.
When something is off, it can show up in lots of different ways. This is where orofacial myology comes in.
Who orofacial myology consults are for
I work with babies, toddlers, and children from 0 to 6 years.
Most commonly I support families whose children:
- Have a known or suspected tongue or lip tie
- Sleep with their lips apart or breathe through their mouth
- Snore, have restless sleep, or chronic congestion
- Have a low tongue resting posture or open mouth posture at rest
- Are still using a dummy past 6 months or bottle past 1 year
- Have a thumb or finger sucking habit
- Are struggling with chewing, swallowing, or transitioning to solids
- Are excessively drooling beyond the typical age
- Had a difficult breastfeeding journey where oral function may be involved
- Have been referred by their dentist, ENT, paediatrician, or speech pathologist
These signs are often dismissed as "just a phase" but can be early signals that warrant a proper functional assessment.
Why early intervention matters
Orofacial myology has traditionally been offered to children aged four and above. Through my advanced training I am qualified to support children from infancy onwards using protocols designed for each developmental stage.
Infant protocols (birth to 18 months) are gentle and parent led, supporting healthy oral function during one of the most formative periods of craniofacial development.
Toddler protocols (typically 18 months to 4 years) are play based and parent led. Instead of asking a small child to follow precise exercises, we use exploration, repetition, and play to support healthy oral function.
Standard protocols (4 years and up) follow the traditional AOMC framework with weekly sessions and higher child participation.
The benefit of starting early is that we can intervene before compensations become patterns, while growth and development can still be most easily influenced.
A note on tongue tie
Tongue ties are one of the most common presentations I see.
If your baby is still breastfeeding and you suspect a tongue tie alongside feeding concerns, book a lactation consult instead so we can assess feeding and oral function together.
If your child is older, no longer breastfeeding, or your concern is around oral habits, airway, or function rather than feeding, an orofacial myology consult is the right starting point.
Not sure which is right? Email me and I will guide you.
Pre and post frenectomy support
A tongue or lip tie release changes anatomy. It doesn't automatically change function.
Without proper preparation before a release and structured support afterwards, families can experience reattachment, ongoing dysfunction, persistent compensations, and the feeling that the release didn't deliver what they hoped for.
That is why I offer structured pre and post frenectomy protocols tailored to your child's age. Pre release work prepares the tissues and reduces compensations. Post release work prevents reattachment and integrates new movement into everyday function.
It is one of the most important parts of getting a lasting outcome. It is also one of the most commonly skipped.
What's included in your initial consult
- A thorough intake form before our session
- A 60 minute virtual consult available worldwide (in home may be available for Gold Coast / Northern NSW families)
- A comprehensive oral and functional assessment
- An individualised plan with exercises, strategies, and referrals where needed
- Multidisciplinary collaboration with your child's other providers where appropriate
Please email mel@cocoonandcradle.com if you require a different day or time to what is displayed.
Hi, I'm Melissa.
I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Orofacial Myologist, Holistic Sleep Coach, Paediatric Nurse, Midwife, and mum of three.
I have spent over a decade working with families through the early years across public hospitals, private practice, and my own clinical work.
I have completed both foundational and advanced training in orofacial myology, including specialised protocols for infants, toddlers, and pre and post frenectomy support. This is an area of care often overlooked, particularly for younger children where early intervention can make the biggest difference.
I believe in evidence informed, multidisciplinary care. Your child's oral function does not exist in isolation. Sleep, feeding, breathing, development, and family life are all connected.
Kind Words From C&C Mamas
“Mel is so compassionate, authentic and caring and offers personalised guidance to fit your parenting needs and lifestyle.
Mel has provided advice numerous times to help with my two little ones sleep and development.
My toddler all of sudden starting struggling with getting to sleep and Mel offered a number of strategies to try as well as insight into why these behavourial changes might have started.
Motherhood can feel lonely when you don't know where to turn, but Mel has always been there to offer guidance without judgement. Thank you so much, Mel."
- Carley Browne
“Mel was understanding, knowledgeable and caring while she worked through the issues we had been having with our child not sleeping well.
Due to her combined expertise in sleep and breastfeeding she was holistically able to assess our situation and identify an issue that a sleep consultant alone would likely have missed.
Her ethos of gentle changes and responsive parenting made any suggestions easy for us to incorporate into our current routine.The two week text support was also amazing for sleep deprived parents like us to clarify her suggestions and gain further ideas as we implemented the plan. I would recommend Mel to any other tired parents!"
- Hannah Robertson
“When I went for my lactation consultant with Mel I was ready to give up, however the confidence I left with was just amazing.
Within 20 mins Mel had supported me with different positions to feed my son by helping him latch without pain!
She also suggested I get him looked at for a lip and tongue tie after identifying many of the signs and symptoms.
I will be forever grateful to Mel and the ongoing support I receive from her. I honestly would not still be breastfeeding and actually enjoying it if it weren’t for her!
Thank you so much Mel!! Xx”
- Tiana Davies
