As families become more empowered to make informed choices about their care, there’s a growing demand for holistic approaches that blend clinical insight with intuitive body-based wisdom. Dr. Jen Santos, a pediatric and perinatal chiropractor in Sonoma and Napa Counties, brings this integration to life. In a recent conversation with the Born Wild Podcast, she unraveled essential topics ranging from tongue and lip ties to ultrasound awareness, Spinning Babies techniques, and the surprising power of craniosacral therapy.
Uncovering the Hidden Impact of Tongue and Lip Ties
Tongue and lip ties—extra tissue that can restrict oral movement—are often misunderstood or overlooked entirely. While every baby has a frenulum, Dr. Jen emphasizes the importance of assessing whether that tissue interferes with function. “It's not just about the appearance of the tie,” she explains. “It’s about what the tissue is doing—how it affects latch, feeding, breathing, and even neurological development.”
Importantly, she doesn’t advocate for a rush to revision. Instead, Dr. Jen urges families to start with bodywork first. Why? Because what appears to be a structural tie can often be a result of fascial tension or cranial misalignment from the birth process—particularly with cesarean births, vacuum deliveries, or long labors.
“Imagine a twisted towel,” she says. “If you cut it before untwisting it, the edges fray. The same goes for oral tissue. Release the tension first, and if a revision is still needed, it will be a much cleaner process.”
This approach can spare babies unnecessary procedures and empower parents to pursue truly individualized care.
The Interplay of Ties, Feeding, and Brain Development
Dr. Jen dives deeper into why oral ties are more than just a latch issue. Babies who can’t nurse effectively may miss out on the rhythmic cranial stimulation that supports hormone release and brain development. Specifically, nursing supports the function of the sphenoid bone, which houses the pituitary gland—key to regulating sleep, stress, and growth.
“Ties can interfere with the baby’s ability to create the wave-like tongue motion that stimulates these vital areas,” Dr. Jen explains. “That ripple effect can affect everything from colic to milk supply to long-term breathing patterns.”
She notes that early signs like gassy discomfort, poor weight gain, or a baby who seems chronically frustrated at the breast may warrant assessment—not just for a tie, but for the full biomechanical picture.
Spinning Babies, Dynamic Body Balancing, and Craniosacral Therapy
For pregnant clients, Dr. Jen is a strong advocate of Spinning Babies techniques—especially those developed by Dr. Carol Phillips, like sidelying release and forward-leaning inversion. These help balance the pregnant body and promote optimal fetal positioning, often easing labor intensity and duration.
Dr. Jen also facilitates a movement-based variant of craniosacral therapy known as Dynamic Body Balancing. Unlike still-point techniques, this method encourages babies and mothers to unwind tension through gentle motion and breath. “It often looks like I’m doing nothing,” she laughs. “But we’re actually working with incredibly subtle—but powerful—body rhythms.”
She emphasizes that these modalities are never forceful. “Infant chiropractic looks more like a baby massage. We use no more pressure than checking a tomato for ripeness.”
Ultrasound: A Call for Conscious Use
One of the more controversial—but crucial—discussions in this episode centers on prenatal ultrasound. While recognizing that ultrasound can offer important information, Dr. Jen underscores that it is a medical procedure—not a harmless routine.
“There’s research—especially outside the U.S.—suggesting that ultrasounds may have multi-generational tissue impacts,” she explains. “It’s not about fear, it’s about informed consent. Ask what the ultrasound is for. Make sure it aligns with your values and needs.”
She also reminds listeners that Doppler use and electronic fetal monitoring are forms of ultrasound, sometimes delivering even stronger pulses than imaging scans.
The Value of Specialized Chiropractic Care
Dr. Jen is part of Acorn Chiropractic Club and one of the few C.A.C.C.P.-certified chiropractors in the North Bay. She encourages parents and birth professionals to seek practitioners trained specifically in perinatal and pediatric care. For those outside the region, she recommends the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association’s directory (icpa4kids.com) to find qualified support.
“The tongue tie conversation can feel overwhelming,” Dr. Jen acknowledges. “But if you build the right team—someone who sees the whole baby, not just their mouth—you can often resolve challenges without surgery, and with more confidence.”
Final Thoughts: Trusting the Body's Wisdom
Whether you’re a midwife, doula, or parent, this episode is a powerful reminder that birth and babyhood are deeply embodied experiences. From oral function to skeletal alignment, every aspect of a baby’s system is connected. And when we slow down, listen, and provide gentle support, the body often knows exactly how to heal.
Want to Learn More?
Listen to the full episode with Dr. Jen Santos on the Born Wild Podcast for a deep dive into tongue ties, bodywork, and holistic infant care.
