The Infant OT: Feeding and Development

12/19/2025

This is play with purpose. Strong tummy time foundations start here.

12/15/2025

You have options! Come and listen January 10th!

12/13/2025

12/13/2025

Maybe you've heard we have a NEW workshop coming in January! 🤭 We're teaming up with some great providers so here's your opportunity to learn more about them!

Meet Nikki Rode, OTR/L, CLC!
Nikki Rode is a pediatric Occupational Therapist and the founder of The Infant OT: Feeding and Development, a holistic practice dedicated to helping babies thrive from their earliest days.

With specialized training in infant feeding, she specializes in supporting families navigate lip and tongue ties, feeding challenges, delayed milestones, torticollis, and plagiocephaly.

Nikki combines evidence-based therapy with a whole-body, family-centered approach-empowering parents with the tools, confidence, and connection they need to support their baby's development.

Nikki is a 2006 graduate from Delphos St. John's High School. She continued her education at The University of Findlay where she achieved her master's in occupational therapy. Nikki is supported by her husband and four children.

If you want to learn more about how OT can help improve head shape, growth, and development, check out Beyond the Helmet.
Gentle tips. Clear guidance. Real solutions.
Let’s shape healthy heads—together.
📆: Saturday, January 10
⏰: 10:30am-12pm
📍: Morman Family Chiropractic - 932 N. Perry St. Suite A. Ottawa, OH 45875
Save your seat and learn more ⬇️
https://workshops.mormanfamilychiropractic.net/beyondthehelmet

12/10/2025

Move over, “WAIT AND SEE” approach. This rockstar lineup is ready for a brand new mission: educate the masses on how to prevent the need for a helmet. Parents, caregivers, TTC, professionals of all kinds. Come listen to why flat heads are not “cosmetic” and other myths that are being spread about plagiocephaly.

12/08/2025

Preparing for a release?
I can help you with a clear healing + feeding plan.
Message me to get started.

12/08/2025

I’d love to get your family’s Christmas card and see how the babies have grown. 🎄❤️. My address for the clinic is 130 N Main St, Suite F. Delphos, OH 45833.

12/01/2025

Did you know that pediatric occupational therapists play a BIG role in preventing and improving flat head syndrome?

Positional plagiocephaly often happens when babies spend a lot of time on their backs with limited movement variety. Other reasons include birth interventions, body tensions, oral ties, prematury, and use of containers for Infant positional support. As an OT, my goal is to support healthy development and protect those sweet little head shapes — without adding stress to parents.

Here’s how OT can help:

🧠 Movement & Motor Development
We look at how your baby moves, turns their head, tolerates tummy time, and uses their body. If they prefer one side, get “stuck” in certain positions, or struggle against gravity, that can increase flat spot risk — and OT helps change that.

👀 Neck Tightness & Torticollis Support
If your baby has a side preference or tightness through the neck, we use gentle techniques, positioning ideas, and active play to help them move more evenly.

🏡 Positioning Strategies You Can Use All Day
OTs teach realistic, daily ways to:
• Create comfy tummy time
• Reduce container time
• Encourage variety in play positions
• Support head-turning to both sides
• Set up the environment so baby can explore safely

🍼 Feeding & Carrying Positions
How you feed, burp, and carry your baby matters! Small adjustments can make a big developmental difference.

✨ The Goal?
Help your baby build strong, balanced motor skills so their head shape rounds out naturally — and equip YOU with tools that feel simple and doable.

If you’re worried about flat spots or a side preference, early support makes all the difference.
💬 Send me a message — I’d love to help your baby grow, move, and thrive!

11/24/2025

🍗 🥔 Thanksgiving encouragement from LLL 🌽 🥖

Have you found it difficult to keep your baby close and nursing during the holidays?

This time of year often brings a steady stream of visiting family and friends, many of whom are eager to hold the new baby. It can be helpful to set boundaries and gently say no when you feel that you both need a break.

Try to keep your baby’s usual nursing rhythm.
Watch for your baby’s cues and respond to them promptly.
Be ready to step in if your baby becomes overstimulated or needs to nurse.
Seek out a quiet, calm spot for feeding to limit distractions.
Utilize baby wearing when you can.
As a bonus, staying close and nursing helps protect your baby from illness, thanks to the antibodies in your milk and the limited exposure.

[Image Description] Photo of a table set with food. Text box overlay reads, "Pass the gravy, not the baby." La Leche League USA logo sits bottom center.

11/21/2025

🏎️ START YOUR ENGINES 👶🏼
POV: You’re a rookie driver in the Milk Cup Series, holding steady on your Boppy chassis as you get pulled through Turn 1 (aka the hallway). Green flag on tummy time!

But here’s the real win: tummy time doesn’t have to be boring.
Movement, play, songs, silly “laps” around the house—these all count and help babies build neck, shoulder, and core strength.

Make it fun. Make it memorable.
Tummy time is about connection, not perfection—and sometimes, the best progress happens when everyone’s laughing.

🏁 Tummy Time 500: Completed.
Breastfeeding in Victory Lane coming right up.

11/18/2025

Today is the LAST DAY to sign up for the December 6th Fill Your Freezer event. Please DM me or sign up today so we have an accurate count for those interested.

Tag a momma to be in the comments so they know about this amazing opportunity!

11/14/2025

Part ✌🏼 of our busy evening was rooted in wellness and community support at Healthy Nest. Nicole, Trina and myself connecting to locals who had questions from infant to adult digestive health. We introduced them to Juice Plus+ as Trina Winner of The Nest Collective.

Couldn’t be there and still have questions? Please DM or reach out for more information 🍎🥦oin