Applying the Art and Science of Myofunctional Therapy to Newborn to Precrawling Infants
This specialized therapy assessment and treatment is a unique way to enhance of baby's tongue, lips. cheeks, face and jaw 
for the following goals:
  • Nasal Breathing
  • Optimal Sleeping Oral Rest Posture 
  • Optimal Awake Oral Rest Posture
  • Craniofacial Growth, Development and Maturation
  • Upper Airway Patency
  • Soft Palate Competence
  • Optimization of Cranio-Facial-Respiratory Complex
  • Social Nervous System and Orofacial Tone
  • Saliva Management

What is Myofunctional Therapy?  A unique therapy approach focusing on how the muscles of the tongue, face and throat work together for vital life functions. Research has found that myofunctional therapy is an effective treatment for sleep disordered breathing. Sleep disordered breathing is a group of sleep conditions that cause a reduction in airflow through the upper airway, it includes snoring or any other breathing noises during sleep.

Myofunctional therapy, applied to babies, identifies orofacial dysfunction and optimizes at its earliest identification. 
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Michelle Emanuel BabyMyo Developer  
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Certified Breastfeeding Specialist
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
National Board Certified Reflexologist
Manual Therapist
​Registered Yoga Teacher

BabyMyo Professional Training Cohort #4 begins Jan 2027.   
These talented and pioneering therapists are here to help you and your baby, see the online professional directory

Common signs baby would benefit from a myofunctional therapy approach:
  • Open mouth posture 
  • Low tongue position
  • Drooling 
  • Lower muscle tone through face and tongue
  • Tongue looks large in baby's mouth
  • Muffled, squeaky or low volume when vocalizing or crying
  • Nasopharyngeal reflux 
  • Torticollis
  • Facial asymmetry
  • Noisy breathing while awake or asleep
  • Lips not sealed when baby isn't using their mouth
  • Persistent tongue thrust reflex

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Sleeping Tongue Posture Hold is the most utilized and well known BabyMyo technique, developed by Michelle more than 10 years ago.   This technique is done while baby is sleeping and optimizes tongue suction to the hard and soft palate for neuromuscular lengthening and strengthening, endurance, function and more.  
Thank you for tagging, referencing and properly crediting this technique.
Are you a pediatric Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapistor Physical Therapist interested in adding expertise and skills to your precrawling baby repertoire? 
​This is the place for you.
Contact Michelle with questions 513 404 7786, text preferred

Amazing Results
Babies should NOT be sent for frenectomy without a full oral function and whole body / postural assessment, prefrenectomy therapy, and Optimal Timing of Release. 
​Refer to a therapist who has BabyMyo training

Tongue

A baby's tongue should MOVE alot.  A lack of functional movement patterns, such as extension, elevation, lateralization and cupping interferes with oral function

Faee and Lips

A baby's face and lips need to have optimal muscle tone and active movement in order to optimize craniofacial growth and development as well as managing saliva and other developmental activities

Cheeks

A baby's cheeks are often tense, lack muscle tone and development and also lack the necessary support structures, leading to compensatory movements and stabilization patterns

Jaw

A baby's jaw is negatively impact when the tongue function is reduced.  Many babies have open mouth posture, weak jaw movements, have inadequate range of motion and ineffective feeding

BEHIND THE SCENES AT BabyMyo

Optimal Oral Rest Posture (while sleeping and awake)
Coordination of Breathing with Sucking and Swallowing
Healthy Breathing Habits and Airway Patency
Optimal Latch and Nursing Skills
Strong social, emotional and interactional connections