エピソード

  • The Connection Between Tongue Ties, Body Tension & Airway Health

    The Connection Between Tongue Ties, Body Tension & Airway Health
    2026/10/21
    The Connection Between Tongue Ties, Body Tension & Airway Health with Dr. Alayna Pagnani-Gendron | Ep. 13What does pediatric chiropractic care have to do with tongue ties, infant feeding, and airway development? More than you might think!Dr. Piya Gandhi welcomes longtime colleague and friend Dr. Alayna Pagnani-Gendron, DC, CACCP, owner of HealthPro Family Chiropractic and Acupuncture in Houston, Texas, for a conversation about the connection between pediatric dentistry, chiropractic care, and whole-body health.With 14 years of experience and a focus on pregnancy and pediatric chiropractic care, Dr. Alayna shares how her work has evolved to include infant feeding challenges, tongue ties, and airway-focused care. Together, she and Dr. Gandhi discuss how body tension, oral function, and early development can influence the way practitioners evaluate and support babies and children.From recognizing signs of tension in newborns to understanding the role of bodywork before and after tongue-tie releases, they explore why looking beyond the mouth can be an important part of a collaborative approach to care.They also discuss what pediatric chiropractic appointments actually look like, why Dr. Gandhi incorporates chiropractic referrals into her treatment process, and how parents can find qualified providers who specialize in working with infants and children.In This Episode:What pediatric chiropractic care looks like for babies and young childrenHow pregnancy and the birth process may influence an infant's body tension and movementSigns of tension parents may notice, including favoring one side, difficulty with tummy time, and feeding challengesHow Dr. Alayna evaluates oral function, tongue mobility, and potential tongue tiesThe relationship between tongue ties, fascial tension, and body movement discussed by both providersWhy Dr. Gandhi recommends collaborative bodywork before and after tongue-tie releasesHow pediatric chiropractic care may fit into a child's palate expansion treatment planFlat spots, head shape, and the importance of early developmental evaluationsThumb sucking, nervous system regulation, and understanding children's self-soothing behaviorsThe differences between pediatric and adult chiropractic techniquesWhat to look for when choosing a chiropractor who specializes in infants and childrenWhy collaboration between pediatric dentists, chiropractors, and other healthcare providers mattersMeet Dr. Alayna Pagnani-GendronDr. Alayna Pagnani-Gendron, DC, CACCP, is the owner of HealthPro Family Chiropractic and Acupuncture in Houston, Texas. With 14 years of experience, she specializes in chiropractic care for pregnant women, infants, and children.She holds a Certification by the Academy Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics (CACCP) and works collaboratively with other healthcare providers to support families navigating feeding difficulties, tongue ties, and developmental concerns.Learn more about Dr. Alayna:Website: https://www.healthprochiro.com/about/dr-pagnani/Find a pediatric chiropractor through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association: https://icpa4kids.org/Connect with Dr. Piya GandhiWebsite: https://drpiyagandhi.com/Free Airway Checklist & Resources: https://drpiyagandhi.com/Find an Airway Provider Near You: https://drpiyagandhi.com/website_4530a186/#directoryAbout The Pediatric Breathing ProjectHosted by Dr. Piya Gandhi, The Pediatric Breathing Project brings together parents, healthcare professionals, and leading experts to explore the connection between children's breathing, sleep, oral development, and overall health.Subscribe for more conversations about pediatric airway health, early intervention, and collaborative care.This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Some approaches discussed reflect the guests' clinical experiences and may have limited supporting evidence. Consult your child's qualified healthcare providers about appropriate evaluations and treatment options.________The Pediatric Breathing Project with Dr. Piya Gandhi explores how airway health, jaw development, and sleep impact childhood wellness. Parents and practitioners will learn to spot early signs of sleep-disordered breathing and discover practical solutions for healthier futures.If you’re a parent, dentist, pediatrician, or healthcare professional passionate about giving children the best start in life, this podcast is your guide to better breathing, better sleep, and better development.Piya Trehan Gandhi, DDSBOARD CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC DENTIST, AIRWAY AND TONGUE TIE RELEASE SPECIALISTInstagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | YouTube | WebsiteResources from Dr. Piya Gandhi:Free Airway Checklist + Provider Resources: https://drpiyagandhi.com/Find an Airway Provider Near You: https://drpiyagandhi.com/website_4530a186/#directory
    続きを読む 一部表示
    34 分
  • Why Every Pediatric Dentist Should Be Screening for Airway

    Why Every Pediatric Dentist Should Be Screening for Airway
    2026/09/16
    Why Every Pediatric Dentist Should Be Screening for Airway | The Pediatric Breathing Project Ep. 12Dr. Piya Gandhi is switching gears for a practitioner-focused solo conversation about the field that completely changed the trajectory of her career: pediatric airway dentistry.Her journey into airway wasn't intentional. It began when her oldest daughter developed sleep apnea at just three years old, pushing Dr. Gandhi to search for answers and ultimately changing the way she approached pediatric dentistry.Now, 17 years into her career, airway dentistry has become one of the most fulfilling parts of her work and a major focus of her education for other providers.Dr. Gandhi explains why screening is the first step and how pediatric dentists can begin identifying children at higher risk for sleep-disordered breathing using signs they're likely already evaluating during routine care. She walks through the PHAROS6 screening factors, including enlarged tonsils, dental wear, mentalis strain with lip closure, tongue tie, a narrow palate, and mouth breathing.The opportunity isn't necessarily about finding a new patient population. It's about learning to look differently at the children already sitting in your chair and recognizing when their oral and facial development may be telling you something about their breathing and sleep.Dr. Gandhi also shares how airway dentistry has brought renewed purpose to her own career, the role of collaborative care, and the education and training available for practitioners interested in incorporating airway-focused treatment into their practices.In This Episode:• How Dr. Gandhi's daughter's sleep apnea led her into airway dentistry• Why screening is the first step in incorporating airway care• The six PHAROS6 screening factors for sleep-disordered breathing• Looking at familiar clinical signs through an airway lens• Why potential airway patients may already be in your practice• The treatment gap for children under six• Expansion, myofunctional therapy, and tongue-tie treatment• What a comprehensive pediatric airway consultation can include• Collaborating with ENTs, myofunctional therapists, allergists, and other providers• How airway-focused care can create a new avenue for practice growth• Finding renewed purpose and fulfillment as a pediatric dentist• Training opportunities for practitioners ready to learn moreFor Practitioners Ready to Learn MoreDr. Gandhi offers several educational opportunities for practitioners interested in pediatric airway care, including online tongue-tie education, expansion training focused on children under six, and immersive two-day training alongside her in practice.Whether you're ready to begin treating airway patients or simply want to become better at recognizing the signs, learning how to screen is a powerful place to start.Connect with Dr. Piya GandhiWebsite:https://drpiyagandhi.com/Free Airway Checklist & Resources:https://drpiyagandhi.com/Find an Airway Provider Near You:https://drpiyagandhi.com/website_4530a186/#directorySubscribe to The Pediatric Breathing Project for conversations with parents, practitioners, and experts working to change the way we think about children's breathing, sleep, oral function, and development.________The Pediatric Breathing Project with Dr. Piya Gandhi explores how airway health, jaw development, and sleep impact childhood wellness. Parents and practitioners will learn to spot early signs of sleep-disordered breathing and discover practical solutions for healthier futures.If you’re a parent, dentist, pediatrician, or healthcare professional passionate about giving children the best start in life, this podcast is your guide to better breathing, better sleep, and better development.Piya Trehan Gandhi, DDSBOARD CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC DENTIST, AIRWAY AND TONGUE TIE RELEASE SPECIALISTInstagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | YouTube | WebsiteResources from Dr. Piya Gandhi:Free Airway Checklist + Provider Resources: https://drpiyagandhi.com/Find an Airway Provider Near You: https://drpiyagandhi.com/website_4530a186/#directory
    続きを読む 一部表示
    9 分
  • What I Wish I Knew About My Kids’ Airway Health

    What I Wish I Knew About My Kids’ Airway Health
    2026/08/31
    Episode 11: What I Wish I Knew About My Kids’ Airway Health with Mitzi PerkinsWhat happens when you learn about pediatric airway health and suddenly start recognizing the signs in your own children?In Episode 11 of The Pediatric Breathing Project, Dr. Piya Gandhi sits down with Mitzi Perkins, a mom of four boys, Houston content creator, and new patient coordinator at West U and Tanglewood Pediatric Dentistry, for a conversation about pediatric airway health from a parent’s perspective.After joining Dr. Gandhi’s team, Mitzi began learning about signs like mouth breathing, restless sleep, teeth grinding, drooling, feeding difficulties, tongue ties, and poor sleep. The more she learned, the more she began connecting the dots in her own family.Mitzi shares what happened when her youngest son’s persistent mouth breathing led to an airway evaluation, and how seeing changes in his sleep made her begin asking questions about her other children. Looking back, she recognized signs stretching all the way back to infancy, including breastfeeding and latch difficulties that she once blamed herself for.Dr. Gandhi and Mitzi also discuss their experiences navigating tonsil and adenoid removal, traditional orthodontics, tongue ties, expansion, myofunctional therapy, and the difference between simply creating straight teeth and looking at how a child is actually breathing, sleeping, and functioning.Most importantly, this episode is a reminder to parents to trust what they’re seeing. If your child is mouth breathing, snoring, grinding their teeth, sleeping restlessly, struggling with feeding, or simply doesn’t seem to be thriving, those signs deserve a closer look.In This Episode:• The airway signs Mitzi wishes she had recognized sooner• Her experience struggling to breastfeed four children and what she knows now about tongue function• Why persistent mouth breathing after tonsil and adenoid removal raised questions• How airway treatment changed her youngest son’s sleep• Looking back at traditional orthodontic treatment through an airway-focused lens• Sleep, behavior, ADHD symptoms, and pediatric airway health• Expansion, tongue ties, and the importance of treating function alongside structure• The changes Mitzi saw in another son’s migraines and eating after treatment• Why snoring, mouth breathing, teeth grinding, bedwetting, and restless sleep deserve attention• What parents should ask when choosing an airway provider• Why airway treatment often requires collaborative care• The importance of both parents understanding the treatment plan• Why parents should trust their instincts and continue asking questions when something doesn’t feel rightResources from Dr. Piya GandhiWebsite:https://drpiyagandhi.com/Free Airway Checklist & Resources:https://drpiyagandhi.com/Find an Airway Provider Near You:https://drpiyagandhi.com/website_4530a186/#directorySubscribe to The Pediatric Breathing Project for more conversations about pediatric airway health, sleep, jaw development, tongue ties, oral function, and the signs parents and healthcare providers can recognize earlier.If this episode reminds you of your own child, share it with another parent who may be asking the same questions.________The Pediatric Breathing Project with Dr. Piya Gandhi explores how airway health, jaw development, and sleep impact childhood wellness. Parents and practitioners will learn to spot early signs of sleep-disordered breathing and discover practical solutions for healthier futures.If you’re a parent, dentist, pediatrician, or healthcare professional passionate about giving children the best start in life, this podcast is your guide to better breathing, better sleep, and better development.Piya Trehan Gandhi, DDSBOARD CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC DENTIST, AIRWAY AND TONGUE TIE RELEASE SPECIALISTInstagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | YouTube | WebsiteResources from Dr. Piya Gandhi:Free Airway Checklist + Provider Resources: https://drpiyagandhi.com/Find an Airway Provider Near You: https://drpiyagandhi.com/website_4530a186/#directory
    続きを読む 一部表示
    36 分
  • Everything We Were Taught About Pediatric Airway Was Wrong

    Everything We Were Taught About Pediatric Airway Was Wrong
    2026/07/22

    What if everything we were taught about pediatric airway health was wrong?

    In Episode 10 of The Pediatric Breathing Project, Dr. Piya Gandhi is joined by fellow pediatric dentist, educator, entrepreneur, and author Dr. Kalli Hale for a thoughtful conversation about how pediatric airway dentistry has evolved, why so many children still go undiagnosed, and how curiosity, collaboration, and continued learning are changing the future of healthcare.

    Dr. Kalli shares her journey into airway-focused dentistry, the misconceptions many providers were taught about pediatric snoring and teeth grinding, and why identifying airway issues early can have a lifelong impact on a child's health. The conversation also takes an honest turn into the realities of building an airway-focused practice, navigating burnout, and finding sustainable ways to lead, teach, and care for patients without sacrificing your own well-being.

    In this episode:

    • How Dr. Kalli's journey into airway dentistry began
    • The early signs of pediatric sleep-disordered breathing
    • Why mouth breathing should never be ignored
    • The connection between bruxism, enlarged tonsils, tongue ties, and airway health
    • Why collaborative care leads to better patient outcomes
    • Common misconceptions parents and providers still hear today
    • Burnout, boundaries, and leadership as female healthcare professionals
    • Practical advice for parents looking for answers
    • Guidance for providers interested in incorporating airway-focused care into their practices

    Resources

    Dr. Piya Gandhi

    Website:
    https://drpiyagandhi.com/

    Free Airway Checklist & Resources:
    https://drpiyagandhi.com/

    Find an Airway Provider Near You:
    https://drpiyagandhi.com/website_4530a186/#directory

    Dr. Kalli Hale

    Website:
    https://theairwaydentists.com/our-doctors/kalli-hale/

    Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/theairwaycentereddentist/

    Order The Dental Burnout Solution:
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H38F2CMP


    If this conversation helped you think differently about pediatric airway health, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow parent or healthcare professional. Every conversation helps bring greater awareness to the importance of healthy breathing, healthy sleep, and healthy development.

    ________

    The Pediatric Breathing Project with Dr. Piya Gandhi explores how airway health, jaw development, and sleep impact childhood wellness. Parents and practitioners will learn to spot early signs of sleep-disordered breathing and discover practical solutions for healthier futures.

    If you’re a parent, dentist, pediatrician, or healthcare professional passionate about giving children the best start in life, this podcast is your guide to better breathing, better sleep, and better development.

    Piya Trehan Gandhi, DDS

    BOARD CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC DENTIST, AIRWAY AND TONGUE TIE RELEASE SPECIALIST

    Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website


    Resources from Dr. Piya Gandhi:

    • Free Airway Checklist + Provider Resources: https://drpiyagandhi.com/
    • Find an Airway Provider Near You: https://drpiyagandhi.com/website_4530a186/#directory
    続きを読む 一部表示
    39 分
  • What Every Parent Should Know About Toxins, Mouth Breathing, and Whole-Body Health

    What Every Parent Should Know About Toxins, Mouth Breathing, and Whole-Body Health
    2026/06/18

    Many parents focus on symptoms. Allison Evans believes we should be asking why those symptoms exist in the first place.

    In this episode of The Pediatric Breathing Project, Dr. Piya Gandhi sits down with Allison Evans, co-founder of Branch Basics, to discuss the powerful connection between environmental toxins, sleep, airway health, nervous system regulation, and whole-body wellness.

    Allison shares her personal healing journey from severe PCOS and chronic pain to founding one of the most recognized toxin-free home brands in the country. Together, Dr. Gandhi and Allison explore how the choices we make at home can impact everything from sleep quality and behavior to airway development and long-term health outcomes.

    They also dive into Allison's experience navigating airway treatment with her own children, including palate expansion, bodywork, myofunctional therapy, tongue ties, retention, and why she believes every parent should understand the connection between breathing and health.

    Whether you're a parent, healthcare provider, or simply interested in a root-cause approach to wellness, this conversation is packed with practical insights and empowering takeaways.


    In This Episode:

    00:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction

    01:00 Allison's Health Journey and PCOS Diagnosis

    04:00 Discovering Root Cause Health

    06:00 From Healing to Founding Branch Basics

    07:30 Raising Healthy Kids Without Fear

    10:00 Teaching Children to Think Critically About Health

    11:30 Airway Health and Whole-Body Wellness

    13:00 Why Some Children Retain Airway Treatment Better Than Others

    15:00 The Missing Role of Bodywork

    16:00 Common Myths About Snoring and Sleep

    18:00 Root Cause Medicine vs Symptom Management

    20:00 Allison's Children's Airway Journey

    24:00 Expansion, Tongue Function, and Mouth Breathing

    25:00 Sleep, ADHD, Bedwetting, and Airway Health

    29:00 Where Parents Should Start

    30:00 The Biggest Toxin Exposures in the Home

    32:00 How to Read Product Labels

    35:00 Finding the Right Airway and Bodywork Team

    37:00 Retention, Growth, and Long-Term Success

    40:00 Myofunctional Therapy and Habit Stacking

    42:00 Choosing the Right Provider for Your Child

    44:00 Final Advice for Parents


    Resources:

    Dr. Piya Gandhi

    Website: https://drpiyagandhi.com/

    Free Airway Checklist & Resources: https://drpiyagandhi.com/

    Find an Airway Provider Near You: https://drpiyagandhi.com/website_4530a186/#directory


    Branch Basics

    Website: https://branchbasics.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchbasics/


    Connect with Dr. Piya Gandhi

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drpiyagandhi/

    Website: https://drpiyagandhi.com/



    ________

    The Pediatric Breathing Project with Dr. Piya Gandhi explores how airway health, jaw development, and sleep impact childhood wellness. Parents and practitioners will learn to spot early signs of sleep-disordered breathing and discover practical solutions for healthier futures.

    If you’re a parent, dentist, pediatrician, or healthcare professional passionate about giving children the best start in life, this podcast is your guide to better breathing, better sleep, and better development.

    Piya Trehan Gandhi, DDS

    BOARD CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC DENTIST, AIRWAY AND TONGUE TIE RELEASE SPECIALIST

    Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website


    Resources from Dr. Piya Gandhi:

    • Free Airway Checklist + Provider Resources: https://drpiyagandhi.com/
    • Find an Airway Provider Near You: https://drpiyagandhi.com/website_4530a186/#directory
    続きを読む 一部表示
    45 分
  • The Airway Conversation Every Parent & Provider Needs to Hear

    The Airway Conversation Every Parent & Provider Needs to Hear
    2026/05/21
    Episode 8 | The Pediatric Breathing Project | The Airway Conversation Every Parent And Provider Needs to Hear with Dr. David AlfiIn this powerful episode of The Pediatric Breathing Project, Dr. Piya Gandhi sits down with renowned oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. David Alfi for an honest conversation about pediatric airway health, jaw development, mouth breathing, expansion, tongue ties, sleep-disordered breathing, and why so many children are slipping through the cracks.Together, they break down what healthy growth should actually look like in children, why crowded baby teeth are not “normal,” how modern lifestyle habits are impacting jaw development, and why early intervention matters more than most parents realize.Dr. Piya also shares the deeply personal story that changed the trajectory of her career — her own daughter’s airway struggles — and how that journey led her into airway-focused pediatric dentistry. The episode also dives into the resistance many airway-focused providers still face, the lack of education in traditional training programs, and the growing movement toward collaborative, whole-body care.Dr. Alfi additionally explains what happens when airway issues are missed into adulthood, including how modern airway-focused jaw surgery can dramatically improve sleep, breathing, health, and quality of life.Whether you’re a parent, pediatric provider, dentist, orthodontist, speech therapist, IBCLC, or simply trying to better understand airway health, this episode is packed with practical insight and perspective.In This Episode We Cover:✔ Mouth breathing in babies and children✔ Why crowded baby teeth are not normal✔ Early childhood expansion and airway treatment✔ Tongue ties, oral function and feeding✔ The connection between jaw development and sleep✔ Why airway issues are becoming more common✔ Myofunctional therapy and muscle retraining✔ The impact of modern diets and soft foods✔ How airway problems continue into adulthood✔ Airway-focused jaw surgery and adult treatment✔ The resistance airway providers still face✔ Why collaborative care mattersConnect with Dr. David Alfi🌐 Website: https://www.drdavidalfi.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdavidalfi/🎙️ The Alfi PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealfipodcast/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thealfipodcastResources from Dr. Piya Gandhi🌿 Free Airway Checklist + Provider Resourceshttps://drpiyagandhi.com/📍 Find an Airway Provider Near Youhttps://drpiyagandhi.com/website_4530a186/#directory🎙️ Explore More Episodes of The Pediatric Breathing Projecthttps://thepediatricbreathingproject.buzzsprout.comAbout The Pediatric Breathing ProjectHosted by Dr. Piya Gandhi, this podcast explores how airway health, oral development, sleep, feeding, tongue ties, and early intervention impact childhood wellness and long-term health.If you’re passionate about pediatric airway health, collaborative care, sleep-disordered breathing, and helping children thrive, subscribe and follow along.#PediatricAirway #MouthBreathing #TongueTie #JawDevelopment #AirwayDentistry #SleepDisorderedBreathing #PediatricDentistry #MyofunctionalTherapy________The Pediatric Breathing Project with Dr. Piya Gandhi explores how airway health, jaw development, and sleep impact childhood wellness. Parents and practitioners will learn to spot early signs of sleep-disordered breathing and discover practical solutions for healthier futures.If you’re a parent, dentist, pediatrician, or healthcare professional passionate about giving children the best start in life, this podcast is your guide to better breathing, better sleep, and better development.Piya Trehan Gandhi, DDSBOARD CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC DENTIST, AIRWAY AND TONGUE TIE RELEASE SPECIALISTInstagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | YouTube | WebsiteResources from Dr. Piya Gandhi:Free Airway Checklist + Provider Resources: https://drpiyagandhi.com/Find an Airway Provider Near You: https://drpiyagandhi.com/website_4530a186/#directory
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 3 分
  • How Speech, Oral Function & Airway Health Are Connected with Courtney Scaggs

    How Speech, Oral Function & Airway Health Are Connected with Courtney Scaggs
    2026/04/27

    Episode 7 | The Pediatric Breathing Project
    Speech, Tongue Ties & Airway Health with Courtney Scaggs, M.S., CCC-SLP

    In this episode of The Pediatric Breathing Project, Dr. Piya Gandhi sits down with Courtney Scaggs, M.S., CCC-SLP, speech language pathologist and founder of Space City Speech, to explore the critical connection between speech development, oral function, tongue ties, myofunctional therapy, and pediatric airway health.

    Together, they discuss how airway issues can show up in speech patterns, why narrow palates and oral restrictions can affect articulation, when speech therapy may need deeper structural support, and how collaboration between dentists, speech therapists, ENTs, occupational therapists, and myofunctional therapists can create better outcomes for children.

    They also cover early speech milestones, red flags parents should watch for, prolonged thumb sucking and oral habits, when therapy may be plateauing, how to know when it’s time to dig deeper, and what both parents and providers should look for in a truly collaborative care team.

    Whether you’re a parent navigating speech concerns or a provider interested in interdisciplinary airway care, this episode offers practical insights into how these systems are deeply connected.

    In This Episode We Cover:

    ✔ How speech and airway health are connected
    ✔ Tongue ties, oral restrictions and articulation
    ✔ When speech delays may signal deeper functional issues
    ✔ Narrow palates and their effect on speech sounds
    ✔ Myofunctional therapy vs traditional speech therapy
    ✔ Thumb sucking, oral habits and tongue posture
    ✔ When therapy plateaus and what to do next
    ✔ Early speech milestones and red flags
    ✔ Why pediatric airway treatment requires a team approach
    ✔ What providers should look for in collaborative referrals

    Connect with Courtney Scaggs

    🌐 Space City Speech
    https://spacecityspeech.com/about-dr-courtney-scaggs/

    📱 Instagram
    https://www.instagram.com/spacecityspeech/

    ________

    The Pediatric Breathing Project with Dr. Piya Gandhi explores how airway health, jaw development, and sleep impact childhood wellness. Parents and practitioners will learn to spot early signs of sleep-disordered breathing and discover practical solutions for healthier futures.

    If you’re a parent, dentist, pediatrician, or healthcare professional passionate about giving children the best start in life, this podcast is your guide to better breathing, better sleep, and better development.

    Piya Trehan Gandhi, DDS

    BOARD CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC DENTIST, AIRWAY AND TONGUE TIE RELEASE SPECIALIST

    Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website


    Resources from Dr. Piya Gandhi:

    • Free Airway Checklist + Provider Resources: https://drpiyagandhi.com/
    • Find an Airway Provider Near You: https://drpiyagandhi.com/website_4530a186/#directory
    続きを読む 一部表示
    32 分
  • From Motherhood to Lactation Expertise with Leah Whitley [Ep 6]

    From Motherhood to Lactation Expertise with Leah Whitley [Ep 6]
    2026/03/18

    In this episode of The Pediatric Breathing Project, Dr. Piya Gandhi sits down with Leah Whitley, IBCLC, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant with SOS Lactation, to talk about the powerful connection between infant feeding, tongue function, airway development, & long-term health.

    Leah shares her personal story of how painful early breastfeeding challenges with her first child led her into the world of lactation support and ultimately into a career helping families navigate feeding difficulties with more clarity and confidence. They discuss what an IBCLC actually does, why feeding issues are often more complex than they appear, and how oral restrictions, tongue ties, and poor tongue mechanics can impact both breastfeeding and airway development.

    They also cover the signs that a baby may be struggling with feeding, including maternal nipple pain, atypical feeding patterns, poor milk transfer, recurrent plugged ducts, mastitis, and milk supply decline. This episode highlights why things can “look fine” from the outside while significant dysfunction is still happening inside the mouth.

    This episode is for parents, lactation professionals, pediatric providers, dentists, and anyone passionate about helping babies feed, breathe, and develop well from the very beginning.

    In This Episode, We Cover:

    • Leah Whitley’s journey into lactation after her own breastfeeding struggles
    • What makes an IBCLC different from other breastfeeding support providers
    • Why tongue function matters for breastfeeding and airway growth
    • Common signs of feeding dysfunction that families may miss
    • Why diaper counts alone do not always tell the full story
    • Nipple pain, blanching, creasing, plugged ducts, and mastitis as red flags
    • How early milk supply hormones can mask poor transfer before supply drops
    • Bottle feeding techniques and how flow rate affects sucking mechanics
    • Thoughts on pacifier use and which shapes better support tongue function
    • How Leah prepares families for tongue tie release and post-release care
    • What baby readiness looks like before a release procedure
    • Why collaboration between IBCLCs, bodyworkers, dentists, and SLPs matters
    • When to refer to a speech language pathologist
    • Common myths about breastfeeding pain and milk supply
    • Why parents should advocate for a thorough oral assessment
    • The gaps that still exist in hospitals and traditional medical settings


    About Leah Whitley

    Leah Whitley, IBCLC is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant with SOS Lactation in Houston. She works closely with families navigating infant feeding challenges, tongue ties, oral restrictions, and early oral function concerns, with a strong emphasis on comprehensive assessment and collaborative care.

    Connect with Leah: https://soslactation.com/

    ________

    The Pediatric Breathing Project with Dr. Piya Gandhi explores how airway health, jaw development, and sleep impact childhood wellness. Parents and practitioners will learn to spot early signs of sleep-disordered breathing and discover practical solutions for healthier futures.

    If you’re a parent, dentist, pediatrician, or healthcare professional passionate about giving children the best start in life, this podcast is your guide to better breathing, better sleep, and better development.

    Piya Trehan Gandhi, DDS

    BOARD CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC DENTIST, AIRWAY AND TONGUE TIE RELEASE SPECIALIST

    Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website


    Resources from Dr. Piya Gandhi:

    • Free Airway Checklist + Provider Resources: https://drpiyagandhi.com/
    • Find an Airway Provider Near You: https://drpiyagandhi.com/website_4530a186/#directory
    続きを読む 一部表示
    38 分