Small Steps, Big Leaps LLC

04/22/2026

Feeding your baby was something that was never meant to be something you figure out alone 🤍

Join us for Milk & Moments Feeding Support Group — a warm, judgment-free space for moms navigating breastfeeding, bottle feeding, pumping, or combo feeding.

Led by a pediatric feeding therapist and certified lactation counselor, this group is designed to support both you and your baby through the ups, downs, questions, and little victories of feeding.

✨ Learn tips for more comfortable, effective feeding
✨ Connect with other local moms
✨ Ask questions in a supportive, no-pressure environment

🍼 Breast • Bottle • Pumping • Combo Feeding welcome

🗓 Saturday, May 9th
⏰ 9–10 AM
📍 Small Steps Big Leaps LLC | Hanover, PA

04/20/2026

Tummy time, but better ✨

Join our Tummy Time Tribe for connection, confidence, and stronger little bodies.

🍼 For; Birth–precrawling babies
🤍 Free group!!
🧸 Play-based + supportive

Come join us!

04/13/2026

🎉This weekend was MOVING WEEKEND!! 🎉We are so excited to join and her crew to open up our new space to kiddos and families THIS WEEK at 28 Baltimore st., Unit 6 🩵

More organizing and decorating to come 🥰

04/05/2026

It’s been such an egg-citing week at Small Steps, Big Leaps! Wishing you and your family a very happy Easter 🐣🌷

04/02/2026

Here at Small Steps, Big Leaps, we love helping little ones grow, connect, and thrive—one small step at a time 🤍

As occupational therapists, we get a front row seat to the magic of childhood—supporting play, strengthening bodies, building confidence, and celebrating every tiny win along the way.

From meeting milestones with littles to helping big kids gain confidence and independence, it’s never just “play”… it’s purpose.

Happy OT Month to all the amazing OTs helping children (and families!) take their own big leaps 💫

03/29/2026

Always advocate and ask why 🫶🏻

Maybe it’s not “colic.”

Maybe it’s overstimulation.
Too much noise. Too much input.
Not enough closeness. Not enough regulation.

Maybe it’s not “colic.”

Maybe it’s gas from a bad latch.
Swallowing air all day.
Tongue and lip ties no one caught.

Maybe it’s not “colic.”

Maybe it’s what’s in the bottle.
Corn syrup solids labeled as “gentle.”
An immature gut trying to process it.

Maybe it’s not “colic.”

Maybe it’s tension.
Through their neck. Their back.
From birth that was never worked through.

Maybe it’s not “colic.”

Maybe it’s a body that got overwhelmed.
Overloaded with too much, too fast, too early.

Maybe it’s not random.
Maybe it’s not “just what babies do.”

Maybe it’s a baby asking for help
in the only way they can.

But it’s easier to call it colic than ask why.

03/17/2026

Tummy time starts earlier than most people think 🤍

In the first few weeks, your baby doesn’t need to be on floor right away. Placing them tummy-down on your chest is the perfect place to begin. At this age, head lifting and turning are largely reflexive—but still so important to support future volitional head turning and strengthening skills. Your baby is practicing those early movements while also taking in your face, tracking your features, and beginning to build on visual skills.

This close, binding opportunity supports so much more than strengthening—it’s laying the foundation for development, connection, and early social engagement. They’re learning to focus, to look, and to connect… all while feeling safe with you.

Around 3-4 weeks, you can start introducing short periods of tummy time on a firm, flat surface. This is where those early reflexive movements begin to turn into more purposeful strength through the neck, shoulders, and core.

Start simple and always follow your baby’s lead.
Tummy time is where connection, purposeful movement, and strength all begin 💕

03/03/2026

📣 PSA from your pediatric OT 👋🏼

If you just had a baby, this is your permission to ignore the piles of laundry and the dishes and the to-do list.

Your only job right now?
✨ Heal.
✨ Snuggle.
✨ Learn your baby.

Those early days aren’t about a spotless house — they’re about noticing the little cues. The hungry wiggles. The sleepy stare. The “I just need you close” cry.

The dishes will wait.
The bonding won’t. ♥️

02/25/2026

Our hearts (and our family) have grown! 🤍
We’re overjoyed to share the arrival of our Sadie Blaine on Friday, 2/20/2026. Thank you for your continued love and support as we soak in these precious newborn days.

01/22/2026

You’ve tried every trick in the book… hiding veggies, bribing, buying Bluey plates and your child still only eats chicken nuggets.

Before you blame “picky eating,” please remember, this isn’t your fault, and your child isn’t being difficult.

What you’re seeing might actually be about:
🍽️ Sensory sensitivities: certain textures, smells, or colors can feel overwhelming.
🧠 Oral motor skills: if managing the food feels too challenging, they won’t eat. People prioritize protecting their airway above eating. Use safe feeding practices appropriate to your child’s skill level.
🧩 Routine + comfort: familiar foods help them feel safe and in control.

You don’t need to force, bribe, or stress at mealtime.

Try this instead:
✔️Always offer “safe foods” alongside new ones.
✔️ Eat together as a family, even if everyone’s plate looks different.
✔️Give your child space to explore new food on their terms
✔️Keep distractions low and pressure off.
✔️Talk about the properties of the food- colors, textures, smells.

If you’re tired of stressful mealtimes, contact our team at Small Steps, Big Leaps LLC so we can help support your family and bring calmness and curiosity to your dinner table.

01/20/2026

When your baby crawls on hands and knees (typically between 6–9 months), they’re doing way more than moving across the floor.
Crawling helps your child:
💪 Build proximal strength for fine motor and feeding development.
👀 Develop visual skills
🌈 Strengthens their body for future gross motor skills. (climbing, running, skipping, jumping)
🚶 Gain body awareness ; learning where they are in space
👶🏻 Builds core strength and sensory development
🧠Tolerate changes in their heads position for vestibular processing
🖍️Integrates primitive reflexes that help with performance skills in the future. (reading, writing)

Remember, just because your baby could figure out how to walk, without crawling, it doesn’t mean they should.

If your baby is belly or bum scooting past the window of when they are expected to start crawling, skipped crawling altogether, or only crawled for a short time, it’s worth checking in with an OT.

Early support can make a big difference in building the foundation for future skills.

01/15/2026

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒We believe in a family-focused approach, because you’re the expert of your child, and we’re here to help.

Far too often parents leave doctor appointments feeling dismissed and invalidated of their concerns.

You’ve probably heard…
“she’ll grow out of it.”
“he’s just a boy”
“it’s just a phase”
“of course she’s going cry, she’s a baby”
“all kids go through this”

At Small Steps, Big Leaps LLC we see your child as they are, support their strengths and neurodiversity.

We hear your concerns and want to help reach your family’s goals. Head to the contact form on our website to get started today.