Myofunctional Mama - the Journey to Discovering Myofunctional Therapy!

I’m Holly, a mum of three, and if you’re anything like me, you're passionate about your children's health and you’ve probably had your share of ups and downs too, right!? Honestly, that’s how Myofunctional Mama came to life—because of the wild ride I’ve been on with my own kids, learning so much along the way, and wanting to create a resource where I could collect all the information I've gathered!

Once all the pieces fell together, I could see the signs from the beginning - poor latch when breastfeeding, enlarged tonsils, snoring… It all started with a bunch of things I didn’t even know were problems at the time but soon resulted in issues that were impossible to ignore like constant sniffles and colds, high palate and discoloured and crowded teeth! 

I wasn’t sure what to make of it all, I was overwhelmed but I needed answers, so I did what any curious (and slightly stressed) mum would do—I dove deep into research. I read everything I could get my hands on, and that’s when I stumbled across myofunctional therapy (who even knew what that was, right?!). Also called orofacial myology, it opened my eyes to a whole new way of looking at how kids breathe, sleep, stand, eat and use their mouths—and how it all ties back to their overall health.

I found an amazing myofunctional therapist in Brisbane who introduced us to exercises that could help with things like tongue posture and mouth breathing and I dove deep into research on diet (Dr Weston Price anyone?), visited osteopaths, chiropractors, gut health specialsits and read everything I could find on the web! 

But the more I learned, the more it made sense. The way our kids use their tongues, how they breathe, their diet (of course) and even how they sit—these things can have a massive impact on their development, including their facial growth and even preventing future orthodontic issues.

We worked with some wonderful therapists, trying different exercises and tools at home. But let’s be real—getting to appointments regularly and keeping up with the exercises? Not easy. Between school runs, meal prep, and, you know, life, fitting it all in was a challenge. And getting the kids on board? Ha! Some days felt like a battle, and sticking to a routine was nearly impossible.

We even tried a bunch of tools and gadgets—from jaw expansion tools to myofunctional gadgets. Some were great, some... not so much. What I realised through it all is that it’s never just one thing that makes the difference. It’s not just about the therapy or the tools or relying entirely on the dentist—it’s about everything coming together, piece by piece to create your own version of a solution. Whether it was finding fun, easy ways to get the kids to do their exercises or finding an amazing little tool that they actually enjoyed - every small step helped us move forward.

And that's why I've created Myofunctional Mama! I wanted to create a space where I could share everything I’ve learned—the tips, the tools, and even the things that didn’t work (trust me, there were plenty!). This is a place where we can chat about it all, and hopefully, you’ll feel a bit more supported and less alone on your own journey. Because let’s face it, parenting is hard enough, and if we can help each other along the way, it makes all the difference!

So, thanks for stopping by! I’m still learning every day, but if something I’ve been through can help you feel more confident or give you a little “aha” moment, or just make you feel like you're not alone on this journey - that’s what it’s all about! 

Thanks for being here! - Hx