The Infant OT: Feeding and Development

The Infant OT: Feeding and Development I graduated from Delphos St. John's High School in 2006 and completed a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy in 2011 from the University of Findlay.

Throughout my 12 years as an OT, I have gained experience working in NICU, outpatient pediatric therapy, and Early Intervention settings. I am a licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L), Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), and Certified Infant Massage Coach (CIMC). I have completed specialty training to address Tethered Oral Tissues and provide Craniosacral therapy techniques. I recently created my own LLC in order to treat infants who have difficulty feeding at the breast or bottle in the Delphos and surrounding areas. I am able to teach parents hands-on, evidence-based techniques such as massage and bodywork that can be completed at home between sessions. Complimentary to feeding, I support each family to improve the baby's developmental milestones. Bodywork is important after birth and tongue tie releases to maximize function. It helps babies to 'unwind' and to prepare the baby for feeding by decreasing tension throughout the body. I am able to address bodywork, lactation support, and feeding difficulties during the same appointment, which saves busy moms time and money! I would be more than happy to evaluate and address any questions that families have regarding feeding issues and bodywork. Feeding difficulties can be very frustrating for both moms and babies. I am here to support, guide, and educate you based off of you and your child's specific needs.

Shout out to Sleep Wise with Kari for coming to talk to our group at Milk and Giggles on Thursday. You shared great tips...
03/14/2026

Shout out to Sleep Wise with Kari for coming to talk to our group at Milk and Giggles on Thursday. You shared great tips for routines and gave suggestions for improved sleep in children. Her daughter even loved seeing all the ‘real life’ babies! Come back soon!

This is the magic of a small town—where the people you serve take care of you right back. 🍕
03/13/2026

This is the magic of a small town—where the people you serve take care of you right back. 🍕

03/13/2026

A tongue tie release can improve tongue mobility — but feeding is still a learned skill.

Many babies with tongue ties have spent weeks or months compensating. They may have developed tightness in their body, inefficient sucking patterns, or difficulty coordinating their tongue.

That’s where therapy before and after a release can make a big difference.

Before a release, occupational therapy can help:
• Reduce body tension
• Improve positioning and latch
• Begin strengthening tongue and oral motor patterns
• Prepare baby for better function after the procedure

After a release, therapy helps babies:
• Learn how to use their new tongue movement
• Improve coordination for feeding
• Build strength and endurance
• Support more comfortable, efficient feeds

A release changes the structure — therapy helps babies learn the function.

03/12/2026

When people hear “tongue tie,” they often think it only affects breastfeeding or bottle feeding.

But the tongue plays a much bigger role in development.

When tongue movement is restricted, it can impact:

• Efficient feeding
• Oral motor development
• Airway and breathing patterns
• Facial and jaw development
• Body tension and head/neck positioning

Babies are amazing at compensating, which is why some of these patterns can be subtle at first.

That’s why a full evaluation looks at more than just the mouth — it looks at the whole baby and how everything works together.

03/10/2026

Tongue ties don’t always look obvious — but feeding often gives us clues.

Some common signs parents notice include:

• Clicking while feeding
• Trouble staying latched
• Long or very frequent feeds
• Gassy or uncomfortable baby
• Milk leaking from the mouth
• Poor milk transfer or slow weight gain

For breastfeeding moms, signs may include:
• Ni**le pain
• Lipstick-shaped ni***es after feeds
• Cracked or damaged ni***es
• Recurrent clogged ducts or mastitis

Not every baby with these signs has a tongue tie, but these are important feeding clues worth looking into.

This week at Milk and Giggles, I have a very special guest! Sleep Wise with Kari will be answering all questions related...
03/09/2026

This week at Milk and Giggles, I have a very special guest! Sleep Wise with Kari will be answering all questions related to sleep: norms, does my newborn even need a routine, to toddlers who have a hard time winding down. This is an informal group-share style meet up. Come talk to my friend, Kari, and myself casually, and as you are. Bring a friend :)

03/09/2026

Feeding a baby is supposed to be natural, but that doesn’t always mean it’s easy. Sometimes the reason comes down to something many families have never heard of: a tongue tie.

A tongue tie happens when the small piece of tissue under the tongue (called the frenulum) is too tight or restrictive. This can limit how well the tongue moves.

Why does that matter?

Babies rely on their tongue for so many important functions, including:

• Latching and staying latched
• Removing milk effectively
• Coordinating sucking, swallowing, and breathing
• Supporting healthy oral development

When the tongue can’t move well, feeding can become frustrating for both baby and parent.

Some babies compensate really well at first, which is why tongue ties can sometimes be missed early on.

Over the next few days, I’ll be sharing more about:
• Signs your baby may have a tongue tie
• How ties can impact feeding and development
• What an evaluation looks like
• And how therapy can help babies feed more comfortably and efficiently.

No idea why some days my reels upload straight from Instagram and some days I have to manually post 🤷🏼‍♀️ . Either way, ...
03/06/2026

No idea why some days my reels upload straight from Instagram and some days I have to manually post 🤷🏼‍♀️ . Either way, it’s Friday! 👏

Happy World IBCLC Day 🤍🤱Today we celebrate International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) — but what exact...
03/04/2026

Happy World IBCLC Day 🤍🤱

Today we celebrate International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) — but what exactly is an IBCLC?

An IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) is a healthcare professional with advanced, evidence-based training in breastfeeding and infant feeding. It’s the highest credential in lactation care and requires hundreds (often thousands) of clinical hours, specialized education, and a rigorous board exam.

So what do IBCLCs actually do?

✨ Assess latch and milk transfer
✨ Support low milk supply or oversupply
✨ Help babies with oral ties, tension, or feeding dysfunction
✨ Troubleshoot pain, ni**le damage, and mastitis
✨ Create sustainable feeding plans (without burning moms out)
✨ Support pumping, bottle feeding, combo feeding, and weaning
✨ Walk alongside families without judgment

As a lactation-informed OT working toward full IBCLC certification, I see firsthand how feeding is never just about milk. It’s airway, oral motor function, regulation, posture, sensory integration, maternal mental health, and so much more.

IBCLCs bridge the gap between medical care and practical, hands-on support. We advocate for moms. We protect the breastfeeding relationship when possible. And we pivot compassionately when plans need to change.

If you’ve ever worked with an IBCLC, you know — it’s not just feeding support. It’s confidence building. It’s reassurance at 2am. It’s “you’re not crazy, this is hard.”

Drop a 🤍 if you’ve been helped by lactation. Fun fact: I am studying for my boards exam as we speak! 💕💕💕

02/25/2026

Not waiting.
Not brushing off a “maybe it’ll round out.”

Preventing the helmet isn’t about fear — it’s about education and early action. When parents are given the right tools, they change the trajectory of their baby’s development.

Head shape, motor milestones, feeding, airway — it’s all connected. And today was a reminder that empowered moms make powerful outcomes. 👶✨

To the hands-on mamas who lean in early instead of waiting… you are the reason prevention works.

02/24/2026

A recessed jaw can be an early red flag for feeding challenges and airway development — affecting latch, tongue function, and even how baby breathes at rest.

If something feels off with feeding, trust your gut. The jaw tells a story. 👶🏻✨

10 Twin Breastfeeding tips (from a twin momma, infant OT/CLC) 💙🩷 1. Get early support — Work with lactation right away t...
02/19/2026

10 Twin Breastfeeding tips (from a twin momma, infant OT/CLC) 💙🩷
1. Get early support — Work with lactation right away to discuss your feeding goals.
2. Protect milk supply — Nurse or pump frequently from day one.
3. Use skin-to-skin — Boosts supply and feeding success. The extra snuggles are an added bonus!
4. Learn tandem feeding — Double football hold is a great starting point. I used a My Breast friend support pillow to keep them close and contained.
5. Treat babies individually — They may feed very differently!!
6. Rotate breasts — Switch sides regularly to balance flow and stimulation.
7. Track intake early — Monitor diapers and weight gain at first to ensure proper growth and establishing routines.
8. Feed around the same time — Sync schedules when possible. You’ll thank me later 😉
9. Fuel your body — Eat, hydrate, and rest intentionally.
10. Prioritize mental health — Ask for help; feeding two is big work. ❤️

Address

130 N. Main Street , Suite F
Delphos, OH
45833

Telephone

+14192340988

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