The Truth About Tongue Ties, Feeding Struggles & Mom Guilt (ft. Brittany, Pediatric OT)

Your baby won't latch. Your pediatrician says everything's fine. You're crying, your baby's crying, and you're starting to wonder if you're doing something wrong. Spoiler: You're not. In this episode, Dr. Danielle sits down with Brittany Cheng, pediatric occupational therapist and feeding specialist at Wayz to Play, for a raw, real conversation about infant feeding struggles, tongue ties, developmental milestones, and the mom guilt that comes with all of it. Brittany gets brutally honest about starting her business during a pandemic, navigating her own kids' feeding challenges (yes, even as a feeding therapist), and why perfection in parenthood is a myth we need to stop chasing. This is the episode for every mom who's been told "it's normal" when everything feels wrong, and for every parent drowning in conflicting advice about what's "best" for their baby. In this episode, we cover: How Brittany started her business during COVID while juggling a newborn Why feeding is a whole-body experience (not just about the mouth) The real signs your baby might have tongue tie or tethered oral tissues When a tongue tie release makes sense (and when it doesn't) Why addressing nervous system tension BEFORE a release matters The developmental impact of skipping milestones like crawling How birth interventions affect babies' feeding and development Why "normal" and "common" are NOT the same thing The judgment Brittany faced from another provider about bottle feeding How to know if you need a release, OT, chiropractic, or all three Mom guilt, imposter syndrome, and feeling like a "failure" when your baby struggles The bucket theory: managing stress and toxins without perfection Screen time, SpaghettiOs, and finding your crunchy-ish balance Key Takeaways: ✨ Trust your mom gut, always (if something feels off, seek help) ✨ A tongue tie release isn't a magic fix, it's one piece of a complex puzzle ✨ Feeding struggles are NOT your fault, even if you're a feeding expert ✨ Babies need their nervous systems regulated before bodywork interventions ✨ There's no "one right way" to parent, feed, or raise your kids ✨ It's never too late to intervene and support your baby's development ✨ If a provider makes you feel judged, RUN Brittany breaks down when tongue tie releases are necessary, what pre and post-op care should look like, and why collaboration between providers (OT, chiropractor, lactation consultant) gives the best outcomes. Mentioned in this episode: Wayz to Play (Brittany's practice) Daisy Co collective space in Orange County Oral motor exercises for babies Cranial facial development and palate fusion The importance of crawling for neurological development Why "pump and dump" is about supply, not detoxing milk Hot Cheetos and SpaghettiOs (guilty pleasures, no shame) If you've ever felt like you're failing as a parent because feeding is hard, or if you're navigating tongue tie decisions and feeling overwhelmed, this episode is for you. CONNECT WITH BRITTANY: Wayz to Play Location: Daisy Co, Orange County, California Specialties: Pediatric OT, feeding therapy, tongue tie support, infant development Website: https://www.wayztoplay.com/ IG: @wayztoplay