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Hidden Gems: Meet Danielle Gauss of Tongue Tie Tribe

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Gauss.

Danielle Gauss

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started? 
As is the case with most mothers, my story changed drastically when I had children. I was working in the theater world when I became pregnant with my daughter and knew I wanted to change to a career where I could stay home with her as much as possible. I was sitting in my Lamaze class and realized that this was basically monologues about pregnancy and birth; I could totally do that. That began my switch into the mother/baby world. Being a mother was challenging but amazing, but I loved everything about it, and breastfeeding with my firstborn was a dream. After becoming a childbirth educator, I then became pregnant and birthed daughter number two, and my world was turned upside down. Everything about that process was difficult. Breastfeeding was a nightmare; everything that could go wrong went wrong, and my postpartum depression was at an all-time high. I became a closet bottle feeder, and me the expert, was not able to breastfeed. I decided right then and there that no woman should have to go through the transition of parenthood alone; she needed a village, and I was going to create said village. I went back to school and became an IBCLC (international board-certified lactation consultant). That was 20 years ago, and I have spent every day since walking alongside new mothers in their journey, overcoming struggles, educating myself daily with up-to-date research, and reminding myself to always think outside the box. About 2 years ago, I created the Tongue Tie Tribe with 2 other doctors to create a collaborative approach to breastfeeding problems and tongue ties, which is a growing problem. Along with myself there is Dr. Rosanne Berger, DDS, IBCLC who is our release provider, Dr. Michelle Weaver, DC, IBCLC and our feeding therapist Kathryn Byram, SLP. Together we have created a safe haven, a village, a tribe, for all new mothers to come to and receive the love and care they so deeply deserve in a huge time of transition. It truly takes a village to raise a child, so we welcome everyone to our tribe. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh, absolutely not. I have had many struggles along the way, physically, emotionally, and professionally, but all have been worth it. I have lupus and Ehler Danlos, which are both autoimmune disorders that have affected many aspects of my body. Learning to listen to my body when my brain wants to keep pushing forward has been a hard lesson. Resting is not something I am good at doing, but have learned I cannot be everything to everyone, especially if I am not taking care of myself. I do have faith in the fight for sure, and God has been faithful. The last four years especially have been challenging. Despite working in a pandemic, which, as we all know, had its own challenges, along with my health, I also have had to advocate for my daughters, who both encountered rare medical conditions that almost claimed their lives. Thank God they are both healthy now, but it was a journey of seeking answers, not giving up, trusting my instincts, fighting against medical advice that was not sound, and truly listening to the instincts and voice of my children. Grey’s Anatomy literally saved my daughter’s life, and I am forever grateful. She had a condition called MALS, and there was only one doctor in the country who could treat it, and he was in Connecticut. However, when it comes to your kids, you do what you need to do, and she underwent major vascular surgery and beat the odds. It forced me to take some time off and focus on what matters most. About a month after Alyssa was finally better, my second daughter began to have seizures, and thus began another battle of seeking out answers, fighting the system, and doing my own research to get answers. In the same time frame both my sister and brother passed away from addiction. To say I was exhausted was an understatement. I spent a lot of time reflecting, praying, and researching. It was humbling and made me a better woman, mother, and practitioner. I have never been afraid to rock the boat when it comes to research, thinking outside of the box, standing for change, and vocalizing the need for advocation. After working as an IBCLC for 12 years in a hospital setting and 9 in a pediatric office, fighting with medical egos on behalf of mothers, I was able to settle into a private practice, but it has never been easy. I am known as the “Booby Fairy” as my main purpose as always been meeting the mother and baby where they are at, and as my following grew on social media, specifically TikTok and Instagram, I ruffled some feathers advocating for those who had no voice. For me, it is about the mother, never the money, and I fight to provide as much free care as I can to those mothers who truly need it. I am a huge advocate for women who have survived sexual assault, as I have a personal history with that, and it is not talked about enough in the medical community. Consent is a big issue globally, but specifically in the medical field. It is never okay to do anything or touch anything without asking permission. Some women may not even remember having a history of assault, but their body never forgets, and it can greatly impact how they birth and breastfeed. Sadly, there is not much training on this in medical school, and with the numbers of survivors on the rise, it is something that needs to be vocalized. This presents its own challenges, but if it changes one’s life for the better it was worth it. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Tongue Tie Tribe?
Introducing Orange County’s premiere CO2 laser frenectomy center for infants with a one-of-a-kind, never before seen team consisting of California’s first children’s dentist to become an IBCLC lactation consultant Dr. Rosanne Berger, DDS, IBCLC, bestselling author and social media expert lactation consultant Danielle Gauss, IBCLC, CST aka “The Booby Fairy,” frenectomy trained infant Chiropractor Dr. Michelle Weaver, DC, CLC. Together, these three have created the Tongue Tie Tribe. Unlike most tongue tie release centers, which may take a more aggressive approach, our focus is to see the baby as a whole and treat our patients in the most gentle, holistic, conservative approach possible. We focus on preparing the baby with myofascial release and suck training prior to the frenectomy procedure to ensure faster, more efficient healing. We also have a Speech Language Pathologist who we work with closely for infants who need additional therapy and care to ensure better rehabilitation of your child’s tongue. We look at healthcare in a preventative approach. Tongue ties affect a person their entire life and have been linked to Sleep Apnea, enlarged adenoids and tonsils, TMJ disorders and pain, migraines, and headaches, slow growth, poor sleep, picky eating, speech issues, orthodontic issues, ear infections, tonsillectomies, even ADHD. Our goal is to catch ties early to prevent unnecessary procedures and treatments later on in life. Our primary focus is aftercare. No other center offers immediate chiropractic bodywork, with additional follow-up bodywork, 2 lactation consults, cranial-sacral therapy, acupressure calming techniques, and suck training. Parenting is hard enough without the confusion of contrasting opinions. It takes a village, so we welcome you and your family to our tribe. 

How do you think about luck?
I believe that everything happens for a reason and that God truly has my best interest in mind, as well as that of my partners, patients, and the practice as a whole. I believe in hard work, faith, and determination. Does luck play a role? Maybe…but so does manifesting your life. I have been blessed to have an amazing social media following, which has opened up many opportunities and doors for me. I have been so honored to walk through the breastfeeding journey with several celebrity moms who have also done an amazing job of helping spread awareness. At the end of the day, it boils down to faith and hard work, with a sprinkle of heart. I have been featured in several media outlets, and I am grateful for the opportunities. It isn’t lost on me how lucky I am to have the opportunity to reach and educate as many families as I do, and without them, I would not be here today. I am blessed. 

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