Hali’a Therapeutics LLC

Hali’a Therapeutics LLC Your Pelvic Floor Therapist and Lactation Informed Occupational Therapist

11/17/2025

As both an infant Occupational Therapist and an IBCLC, I’ve taught this for years… but now, as I prepare to welcome my own baby early, it’s becoming deeply personal.

Skin-to-skin isn’t just cute or cozy.
It’s developmental medicine.

✨ It stabilizes heart rate and oxygen
✨ Regulates temperature
✨ Supports digestion and gut maturity
✨ Organizes the nervous system
✨ Reduces stress for BOTH baby and parent
✨ Boosts feeding readiness + coordination
✨ Protects brain development during a critical window

For preemies, every one of these benefits matters even more. Their systems are working overtime to do things full-term babies usually don’t have to think about — breathing, regulating, coordinating.

And skin-to-skin tells their tiny body:
“You’re safe. I’ve got you.”

That message changes everything.

As I get ready for my own hospital stay, I’ve been preparing ways to make skin-to-skin easier in the NICU. makes these incredibly soft onsies that easily support skin to skin. These are going to make such a difference when you’re navigating wires, monitors, and frequent transfers. They open completely in the front so your baby can go right onto your chest without disrupting their calm. The front panel must be made of some magic material because it opens nearly silently but sticks when you need it to.

Today is World Prematurity Day, and my heart is with every NICU baby, every parent pumping around the clock, every family navigating the uncertainty of early birth.

You’re not alone.
And these tiny moments of connection?
They matter so much. 💛

If you want more newborn development tips, NICU-friendly tools, or feeding support — I’m here, walking this journey right next to you.

11/17/2025

If you’re struggling with low supply, the last thing you need is someone in a mom group telling you to “just power pump.”
I know it’s well-meaning advice… but it’s often oversimplified, and for many moms, it can actually backfire by burning you out and causing you to quit all together.

Want the truth? Below is a short recap. But if you want all the details checkout the latest blog linked in my bio or comment “low supply help” in the comments and I’ll send it to you ⤵️

Power pumping isn’t a magic button.
And when you’re already exhausted, overwhelmed, and working SO hard to increase your supply, adding 60+ minutes of intense pumping can cause more harm than good — things like:
• ni**le damage
• swelling/edema that reduces output
• clogs or plugged ducts
• stress spikes that decrease letdown
• burnout (because, hi… you’re a human, not a dairy machine)

Before you push your body harder, let’s zoom out.
Low supply is almost NEVER solved by “more minutes on the pump.”
It’s solved by understanding what’s actually limiting the milk signal — because once you fix the root cause, your body responds.

When it comes to increasing supply it’s vital to work with a LC who specializes in this area. It’s going to cut your trial and error time down significantly making it more likely for breastfeeding to be sustainable and optimizing the first 3 months when your body is learning the demand.

Here are some practical, evidence-supported ways your LC might help boost supply that are often far more effective than power pumping:
🌿 Optimize the latch + oral mechanics
⏱ Increase frequency, not duration
🤱 Switch nursing

Sadly, Instagram will only let my captions be so long. Checkout the full blog for the remaining 8 tips that are far more useful. Comment “low milk supply support” or visit the link in my bio to get to the blog

10/29/2025

If you’re noticing your baby has:
💫 A C-curve through their body (hip hike + shoulder scrunch)
💫 A head-turn preference (always looking one way)
💫 Trouble tolerating tummy time
💫 Will only eat from one side 🍈

…it could be torticollis — and it’s more common than most parents realize.

It can develop from how baby was positioned in the womb or from daily habits like how we hold, feed, or carry them. The APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) actually recommends that pediatricians screen and refer for torticollis within the first month of life for the quickest and most effective results.

⏰ “Wait and see” might sound reassuring, but waiting can lead to head flattening, early cessation of breastfeeding, reflux, colic, and a cascade of interventions that could’ve been prevented.

Early intervention = faster progress, less frustration, and a happier, more comfortable baby. 💕

If your little one shows any of these signs, reach out to an infant OT or PT who specializes in early development — it’s never too early to start.

10/24/2025

🚨 Found out your freezer stash smells or tastes soapy, metallic, or “off”?
Take a deep breath — it’s not spoiled and it’s still safe for your baby. 💕

What you’re noticing is called high lipase activity. Lipase is an enzyme naturally present in breast milk — its job is to break down fats and make milk easier for your baby to digest. For some moms, lipase works a little too efficiently after the milk is stored (fridge or freezer), which can change the smell or taste over time.

Here’s the key:
✅ The milk is completely safe — nothing harmful has happened.
🚫 The only issue is that some babies don’t like the flavor change.

If your baby refuses your stored milk, try this:
✨ Mix ¼ high-lipase milk with ¾ freshly pumped milk, and gradually increase the ratio over time. This helps baby get used to the taste slowly.
✨ Once baby is over 6 months, you can add a tiny drop of non-alcoholic vanilla extract — the flavor masks the soapy taste and turns it into a fun “baby lattée.” ☕️
✨ If you’re still actively pumping, you can scald your milk before freezing (heat to about 180°F, until small bubbles form on the edges, then quickly cool in an ice-bath). This deactivates the enzyme and prevents the flavor change once you store it.

💡 Pro tip: Always label milk as “fresh” or “scalded” so you know which is which in your stash later!

You worked so hard for that milk — it’s liquid gold, not garbage. ✨ Don’t toss it. Your stash is still full of nutrients and love — it might just need a little flavor reintroduction. ❤️

Tag a mama who needs this reminder today 🫶

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