Presentation Information

Critical Details You Might Be Missing in Your Oral Assessments

• Speaker: Johanna Sargeant , BEd, BA, IBCLC
• Presentation Type:
• Duration: 60 Mins
• Credits: 1 CERP, 1 Nursing CEU, 1 CME

Abstract:

Oral aversion in infants is commonly approached from a sensory processing perspective, but its roots extend deeper into autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation. When an infant experiences painful feeding, medical interventions (e.g., tube feeding, forced bottle-feeding), birth trauma, or prolonged stress, their nervous system encodes oral touch as a threat. This leads to feeding refusal, hyperactive gag reflex, tongue retraction, and oral defensiveness.

This presentation introduces a nervous system-based approach to resolving oral aversion by working with the vagus nerve, cranial nerve function, and fascial restrictions. Instead of focusing on behavioural desensitization, we will explore manual therapy techniques such as Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST), and relational attunement to restore oral safety and functional suck-swallow coordination.

By understanding how trauma and stress are stored in the oral-facial system, lactation professionals, therapists, and caregivers can support infants in repatterning their oral experiences, allowing for a sustainable and self-directed resolution of oral aversion.