OT Feeding Therapy

What is occupational therapy? Occupational therapy helps people function in their daily activities (occupations) to the best of their abilities. For a baby this includes feeding (which is a co-occupation with parent), play/movement, connecting with caregivers, exploring his/her environment, sleeping and more. What does therapy look like? A feeding evaluation consists of a thorough history including prenatal and birth history. I evaluate oral function, body alignment and use a holistic approach to identify any other factors impacting feeding. I like to observe a feeding (breast or bottle). I develop a care plan for your baby and may recommend additional sessions with me to help you and your baby be the most successful and reach your feeding goals.

Tongue/Lip Tie

I have completed specialty education in tethered oral tissues, and I am a founding member of a local Tethered Oral Tissues Team. I can provide education for the frenectomy procedure as well as pre- and post-procedure care. A frenectomy releases the tissue, but therapy improves the function. I work closely with your baby’s providers including your pediatrician, pediatric dentist, therapists, lactation professionals and chiropractors to achieve the most optimal outcomes.

The TummyTime! Method ™

I am proud to offer TummyTime! Method™ classes in a group or individual setting. The TummyTime! Method™ is an evidenced informed therapeutic program designed to support health, posture, movement, and connection for all babies; it can also treat oral motor dysfunction, postural asymmetries, digestive difficulties, and autonomic dysregulation. It is especially beneficial for babies pre- and post-frenectomy.

Tummy time is vital for healthy social, emotional, physical and neurological development of your baby. Benefits of the TummyTime!™ Method:

• Promotes social/emotional connection with reassuring interaction with parent during this sometimes challenging yet essential activity

• Facilitates breastfeeding by optimally mobilizing and engaging baby’s face, tongue, jaw, throat, and neck muscles

• Promotes optimal head shape by offsetting the time baby lies on his or her back (decreases head flattening/molding)

• Improves posture creating optimal symmetry, balance, and natural alignment

• Eases colic & reflux through weight bearing on tummy, reducing gas and stimulating healthy digestive function

• Elicits, utilizes, and integrates baby’s oral, primitive, and postural reflexes

The gold standard in the first 2-3 weeks of extrauterine life is tummy time on a parent’s chest for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Infant Massage

Infant massage is incorporated into treatment sessions as needed for your baby. Please contact me if you are interested in an individual or group class to learn infant massage. Benefits include:

• Helping to relieve discomfort from gas, colic, and constipation

• Aids in digestion

• Enhances nervous system developments

• Increases alertness and heightened awareness

• Enhance and Facilitate parent/child relationship

• Provide special, focused time together