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

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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

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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