Lactation Counseling
Our team is able to offer a unique and comprehensive approach to breastfeeding difficulties for both mom and baby by combining knowledge from their extensive education as OTs and SLPs with the most up-to-date breastfeeding practices. Our therapists are trained by the Healthy Children Project and certified by the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice. Our goal is to empower caregivers and improve infant nutrition and early feeding abilities, no matter the feeding choice or necessity (i.e. breast, bottle, feeding tube, etc...).
Nourished Roots Therapy Services also provides a continuum of care regarding feeding difficulties from birth through childhood and into adulthood. Often, patients must seek these services at different points in their lives from different clinics or providers. Lactation support for the breastfeeding dyad is rarely seen in an outpatient setting. As an OT and SLP, we offer comprehensive and well-rounded assessment/treatment of infant feeding difficulties beyond the scope of a traditional lactation consultant. As an OT and SLP who are CLCs, we will be able to provide continuing care from birth through the transition to solids and early feeding development, whereas these two needs are traditionally seen by separate providers entirely.
Through evidence-based practice, OTs are able to provide a holistic approach to breastfeeding through a unique perspective as developmental specialists with significant training in anatomy, physiology, and sensory processing. Through this whole-body approach, OTs can educate and empower parents while supporting infants with and without developmental disorders in the natural progression of feeding by addressing internal and external factors, such as positioning, state regulation, oral motor skills, and more.
SLPs are trained in the mechanisms of the swallow, oral motor development, and the management of dysphagia. SLP's play a critical role in the management of feeding for those with complex medical needs, while assisting parents in achieving their goals. SLPs provide support to parents and infants by addressing pre-feeding skills, the physiology of the swallow, and how these factors may impact their ability to safely and adequately consume an age-appropriate diet.
We provide prenatal and postnatal breastfeeding/chestfeeding counseling on a variety of concerns, including:
Common breastfeeding problems, such as pain when nursing, oversupply, and lack of supply
Common infant problems, such as difficulty latching and weight gain
Support for complex medical needs
Difficulties with bottle feeding
Support pre and post-tongue and lip-tie revisions
Complementary feeding and the transition to solids
Difficulties starting or progressing with weaning
Increasing food texture acceptance