The Birth Lounge Podcast

Your friend just had a baby and you have no idea what to actually do. Same.

HeHe is recording this one late at night in the thick of the 8 to 10 month growth spurt with her own son Saggy, and it got her thinking about something she has never actually sat down and mapped out for you guys: what does showing up for a postpartum friend actually look like, in practice, not just in theory.

 

This episode gives you the real playbook, but the next question is always what do I actually do when I walk in the door, and that's exactly what HeHe's new Baby Sleep Solutions Guide is built for too, giving you a concrete plan instead of vague advice: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/babysleep

 

HeHe breaks down the difference between her pre baby support style (packing a suitcase and living with her postpartum friends, no joke) and what she does now that she has her own kid at home, plus the exact mental checklist she runs before showing up: do they want company or space, do they want you holding the baby or doing their dishes, and how to offer help without making it weird.

 

In this episode:

What HeHe actually used to do when a bestie had a baby (here's a hint, it involved a suitcase)

The one thing you should never do when you walk into a postpartum friend's house, even if you mean well

How to run a meal train that doesn't backfire and leave a family drowning in lasagna

Why checking in from far away matters just as much as showing up in person, and the exact apps and habits that make it easy

When sharing your own experience helps a new mom, and when it crosses into advice she didn't ask for

The one thing in every hospital bag that saved HeHe's nipples twice, once from a tongue tie and once from teething

 

If you have ever stood outside a friend's door with a casserole wondering if you're about to overstep, this episode is your permission slip and your plan. Grab the Baby Sleep Solutions Guide here: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/babysleep

If this episode helped you, rate and review the show. It's the number one way other parents find it.

 

CHAPTERS

00:00 Show Up As The Village

00:52 A Very Late Night Life Update

01:43 The New Baby Sleep Guide Is Here

05:44 Where This Episode Idea Came From

07:02 What HeHe Used To Do, Pre Baby

08:56 How To Help Without Holding The Baby

11:37 Meals And Meal Trains Done Right

14:58 The Silverette Fix For Nipple Pain

17:54 Checking In When You Can't Show Up In Person

26:06 Knowing Your Role And Final Thoughts

 

CONNECT

HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/

The Birth Lounge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.birth.lounge/

 

SILVERETTE

This episode contains an affiliate link. If you purchase through it, HeHe may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. If you're planning to breastfeed, Silverette cups are a registry must. HeHe used hers for cracked, bleeding nipples from her son's tongue tie, and again months later for teething bites, and both times they were a lifesaver. They're real silver and a one time investment that lasts through every baby you have. Grab them at https://www.silveretteusa.com and use code HEHE for 10% off.

 

KEEP LEARNING WITH HEHE

Want prep delivered straight to your phone? Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app

 

LINKS MENTIONED

Baby Sleep Solutions Guide: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/babysleep

Silverette cups (use code HEHE): https://www.silveretteusa.com

Baby hit four months and sleep went sideways? HeHe's Baby Sleep Solutions Guide covers exactly that, grab it here: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/babysleep

 

Part three of the tongue tie series, and this one goes somewhere completely different. HeHe sits down with Michelle Emmanuel, a baby-specialized occupational therapist with 30 years in the field, to answer a question that never even crossed her mind before this conversation, what if a tongue tie isn't just about feeding at all?

 

Michelle breaks down why oral restrictions are connective tissue, not muscle, and why they start forming as early as eight to nine weeks in utero, genetically, before anything about birth or positioning even gets involved. From there she connects dots HeHe did not see coming, torticollis, high palate, micrognathia, a distended belly, reflux, slow gastric motility, even head shape and posture, all potentially tracing back to the same restricted tissue. Michelle's line that stuck with HeHe: the tongue is a multi-muscular midline organ connected all the way down to the toes.

 

Then HeHe gets vulnerable. Her son's tongue release at 48 hours old changed everything for breastfeeding overnight, but tummy time was still a nightmare, screaming, arching, refusing to tolerate it on any flat surface. Turns out that was a sign too. After staged revisions of his buccal ties and upper lip tie, tummy time stopped being torture and started being something he actually enjoyed. Michelle explains why that connection is real, why staged releases can be the smarter call for a brand new baby, and why rushing a release before a baby's tissue and nervous system are ready can actually backfire.

 

They also get into the messier, more honest parts of this world, the total lack of research on wound care and buccal or lip tie releases, why Michelle avoids the word "tongue tie" now in favor of "oral dysfunction and restrictions," and what to do when your pediatrician brushes off your concerns (her answer, start with an IBCLC). And because airway is where this whole series is headed, Michelle closes with the direct line between tongue mobility, mouth breathing, snoring, and the sleep disruption so many parents chalk up to "just a bad sleeper."

 

Oh, and don't skip the part where HeHe finally reveals which laundry detergent won the great mom-group debate, you'll want to hear this one.

 

Want the shortcut version of what HeHe has learned about getting real sleep from 4 to 24 months? Grab her Baby Sleep Solutions Guide here: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/babysleep

 

CHAPTERS

00:00 Tongue Tie Breakthrough

00:57 Baby Sleep Guide Launch

06:06 Pandemic Parenting Rant

07:17 Oral Ties Explained

22:00 Signs And Support Strategies

40:40 Training Over Social Media

43:12 Tummy Time And Revisions

46:57 Staged Releases And Evidence

59:59 Wound Care Debate

01:06:25 Airway, Timing, And Wrap-Up

 

GUEST BIO

Michelle Emmanuel is a baby-specialized occupational therapist with 30 years of experience, focused on infant posture, body movement, and whole-body development from the newborn period through pre-crawling. She created the Tummy Time Method and Baby Myo, and spends much of her time training other therapists (OT, PT, speech, and lactation professionals) to support babies with oral restrictions as part of a multidisciplinary care team.

 

Connect with Michelle: https://www.tummytimemethod.com
https://www.babymyo.com

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

HeHe's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe

Michelle's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonguetiebabies

 

TRULY FREE

Ready to ditch laundry detergent that's secretly loaded with hormone disruptors? HeHe made the switch to Truly Free, plant-based, dye-free, and available completely unscented, and it's what she uses on everything her baby touches. Head to https://www.trulyfreehome.com and use code HEHE to save on your order.

 

BIRTH EDUCATION RESOURCES

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way: https://www.thebirthlounge.com

 

Want prep delivered straight to your phone? Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app

 

LINKS MENTIONED

Baby Sleep Solutions Guide: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/babysleep

Truly Free (use code HEHE): https://www.trulyfreehome.com

Hear Baby Saggy’s Tongue Tie release story here: https://podcast.thebirthlounge.com/e/ep-488-tongue-tie-release-signs-pain-and-why-some-babies-need-a-second-revision-my-babys-story/

This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, makers of luxuriously soft bamboo sheets, blankets, and sleep essentials. Because your rest matters, mamas. Cozy Earth makes it easier to get the cozy, breathable sleep your body (and your little one) deserve. Use code HEHE at https://cozyearth.com/ for 20% off your order and treat yourself to the sleep you've been dreaming of.

 

If you caught last week's episode, you already know HeHe's own tongue tie story was not exactly simple. This week she's zooming out with Dr. Heidi Aaronson, a general dentist who specializes in tethered oral tissues, to answer the question so many parents get stuck on: is this actually a tongue tie, or is something else going on entirely?

Dr. Heidi's whole approach starts with function over appearance, meaning what a tie looks like under your baby's tongue matters a lot less than what it's actually doing. She and HeHe get into why clicking, a poor seal, feeding fatigue, gas, reflux, and colic can all have more than one root cause, and why body tension and fascia can mimic or even feed into feeding problems that look exactly like a tongue tie on the surface. They also talk through when lactation consultants and bodywork should come before you even consider a release, because sometimes the answer really isn't a release at all.

From there they go deep on what actually happens during a frenectomy or frenotomy, laser versus scissors, what recovery looks like for a tiny human, and HeHe finally gets the truth on whether tongue ties really cause a lisp (spoiler, it's more myth than you'd think). And because ties don't just affect feeding, Dr. Heidi breaks down the sleep and airway side too, mouth breathing, snoring, tooth grinding, and the specific red flags that mean it's time to loop in an ENT.

Dr. Heidi's philosophy the whole way through is less is more, and this episode is basically a masterclass in knowing the difference between a tie that needs treatment and one that just needs time. Oh, and stick around for HeHe's current favorite low-tox laundry detergent.

In this episode:

How tongue, lip and cheek ties can affect oral function

Why function matters more than how a tie looks

Tongue ties and breastfeeding or bottle-feeding challenges

Clicking, poor seal, feeding fatigue, gas, reflux and colic

How body tension can mimic or contribute to feeding problems

The connection between oral restrictions, fascia and whole-body compensation

When lactation support and bodywork may be helpful before considering a release

What actually happens during a frenectomy or frenotomy

Laser vs. scissors, pain and infant recovery

Tongue ties, speech development and lisp myths

Mouth breathing, snoring and disrupted sleep

Why baby snoring can be an airway red flag

When to involve an ENT

Why Dr. Aaronson believes less is more when deciding what to release

Timestamps
00:00 Baby Snoring Red Flags
00:55 New Baby Sleep Guide
02:27 Four-Month Sleep Shift
06:06 Oral Ties & Sleep
11:24 What Tongue Ties Are
39:26 Tongue Ties & Digestion
41:26 Fascia Chain & Compensation
43:35 Feeding Fatigue & the Witching Hour
46:01 Injury Tension vs. Tongue Tie
48:22 Release Procedure Explained
52:58 Laser vs. Scissors & Pain
58:18 Speech Issues & Lisp Myths
01:02:44 Mouth Breathing, Snoring & Airway
01:07:24 Who to See: ENT & Red Flags
01:10:38 Wrap-Up, Resources & Insurance

Want more restful nights for the whole family? Grab HeHe's Baby Sleep Solutions Guide here: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/babysleep, or treat yourself to Cozy Earth's bamboo sheets with code HEHE at https://cozyearth.com/ for 20% off.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Heidi Aaronson is a general dentist and owner of New Generation Dental Center in Wellesley, Massachusetts, with a special focus on tethered oral tissues and their impact on feeding, oral function, growth and development. She evaluates and treats hundreds of infants and children each year for tongue, lip and buccal ties and works closely with lactation consultants, feeding therapists, myofunctional therapists and other healthcare providers to determine when treatment is appropriate — and, just as importantly, when it isn’t. Dr. Heidi has pursued extensive continuing education in tethered oral tissues and airway-focused dentistry and has trained with leading clinicians in the field. She also lectures to other healthcare professionals on the evaluation and treatment of tongue ties across the lifespan. Her approach focuses on function rather than appearance and on helping families understand the whole picture before deciding whether a release is right for their child.

 

Connect with Dr. Heidi: https://www.ngdentalcenter.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/ 

Connect with Dr. Heidi on IG: https://www.instagram.com/bostontonguetie/

 

BIRTH EDUCATION:
Not ready for the 4-24 month sleep solution guide? Check out our Newborn Sleep Solution guide here: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/newbornsleep

Want birth prep delivered straight to your phone?
Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app

Story time, and it's a personal one. HeHe is kicking off a brand new series today, and it starts with the very real, very messy saga of her own baby's tongue tie release. If a midwife or chiro has ever casually dropped "possible tongue tie" into conversation and sent your brain into a full spiral, welcome, you are exactly who this episode is for.

Here's how it actually went down for HeHe: both her midwife and her chiropractor flagged possible restriction, but the real diagnosis? That came from a pediatric dentist, not a hunch and not Instagram. She takes you inside the laser release itself (quick, weirdly anticlimactic), and then into the part nobody warns you about, the post-release stretches and exercises that keep scar tissue from creeping back in and undoing the whole thing.

You guys, the symptom list on this one is long: painful nursing, nipple damage, clicking, leaking milk, a poor latch, chomping, the lipstick-shaped nipple nobody wants to talk about, low milk transfer. Left alone, that combo can snowball into clogged ducts, mastitis, and a supply that just tanks. HeHe also calls out the guilt spiral hard, because no, you did not do this to your baby, and gets real about what the pain actually feels like versus what you're told to expect going in. Not every tie needs a release. Hers needed two. And both times? Immediate latch change, better drainage, zero regrets.

Want the shortcut version of everything HeHe has learned about getting real sleep postpartum? Grab her new sleep guide here: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/babysleep

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/ 

BIRTH EDUCATION:
Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

And if you haven’t grabbed it yet…
Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Want prep delivered straight to your phone?
Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app

Ready to simplify your supplements with a brand you can actually trust? Check out Just Ingredients for clean protein, prenatals, electrolytes, and more, made with real, transparent ingredients. Head to https://www.justingredients.us and use code TRANQUILITYBYHEHE to save 10% on your first order.

This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, makers of luxuriously soft bamboo sheets, blankets, and sleep essentials. Because your rest matters, mamas. Cozy Earth makes it easier to get the cozy, breathable sleep your body (and your little one) deserve. Use code HEHE at https://cozyearth.com/ for 20% off your order and treat yourself to the sleep you’ve been dreaming of...

Here's a wild thought: what if your kid's snoring, tantrums, bedwetting, and bad posture aren't five separate problems, but one connected story your body is trying to tell you? That's exactly the rabbit hole HeHe goes down with Dr. Rachel Hamel this week, and honestly, it might change how you look at almost every "quirky" thing about your child.

Dr. Rachel breaks down why airway issues are so much bigger than "does my kid have a tongue tie," and why timing, nervous system regulation, and even birth history can completely change the picture. If you've been side-eyeing the snoring, mouth breathing, reflux, bedwetting, tantrums, or just a nagging "something feels off" gut instinct, this conversation hands you a whole new lens to look through. The part that really gets HeHe? A tongue release alone often isn't enough if a baby's body is still stuck in fight-or-flight, and doing things out of order can actually make everything worse.

In this one, you'll get into:

Why airway health actually starts in the womb, and how pregnancy, labor, birth interventions, and early trauma can shape it

How primitive reflexes, cranial nerves, the diaphragm, the pelvis, and posture are all quietly talking to each other

What a C-section may actually change in a baby's skull, mouth, gut, and nervous system

Why genetics matter, but epigenetics, nutrition, and environment are pulling just as much weight

The signs parents should actually watch for, sleep issues, teeth grinding, an elongated facial shape, dark circles, and forward posture

Dr. Rachel also gets honest about why she is intentionally conservative with tongue releases, when they genuinely help, and why her approach leans multidisciplinary, think craniopathy, dentists, orthodontists, and myofunctional therapy working together instead of one quick fix. She unpacks what "early" really means, why the first few months carry so much weight, and why some of the most popular fixes out there completely miss the root of the problem.

Dr. Rachel Hamel is a certified craniopath for adults and children, founder of Hamel Cranial Chiropractic and Wellness, co-owner of Imprint Medical Center, host of the Unfiltered Healing Podcast, and author of Freedom Brain. Her work has been featured by Forbes, the World Federation of Chiropractic, and the Journal of Chiropractic Education.

If you're a parent navigating oral restrictions, airway concerns, or just wondering if your kid's symptoms are actually all connected, this is essential listening. This might be the clarity you've been waiting for.

 

Guest Bio:

Dr. Rachel Hamel has numerous credentials including being a certified craniopath for adults and children. She is the founder of Hamel Cranial Chiropractic & Wellness as well as co-owner of Imprint Medical Center which offers advanced regenerative medicine therapies. She also hosts the "Unfiltered Healing Podcast", and her perspectives have been featured in Forbes, the World Federation of Chiropractic, and The Journal of
Chiropractic Education. Lastly, she is the author of a best seller entitled Freedom Brain all about the health of the nervous system.

When she’s not empowering patients, you can find Dr. Rachel with family and friends or hiking in God’s creation.

Connect with Dr. Hamel: www.imprinthealthcenter.com

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/ 

Connect with Dr. Rachel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/_drrachel_/

BIRTH EDUCATION:
Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

And if you haven’t grabbed it yet…
Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Want prep delivered straight to your phone?
Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app

 

LINKS MENTIONED:
Dr. Rachel’s Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@unfilteredhealingpodcast

 

Peak pediatric institute : SOT pediatric chiropractors finder near you - https://drmartinrosen.com/pediatric-referral-directory/