The Feeding Mom

The Feeding Mom Craniosacral Therapist. Speech Pathologist and Infant Feeding Specialist. Focuses include: reflux, bottle feeding and oral d

06/12/2025

You don’t have to wait until they can follow directions to make progress in oral development.

Oral movements- decreases tension, improves muscle awareness, desensitizes gag response, improves oral acceptance, improves oral mapping… for feeding, breathing, digestion and regulation.

Stick teethers- increases mapping and oral awareness, helps strengthen.

There is support out there!
Comment GUIDES for the links to all my parents' guides.

Whatcha need to know?

06/10/2025

Sometimes you can feel anxious during caregiving tasks—like bottle feeding.
⁣
So you move. You do squats, you sway, you shift side to side. Not because you have to, but because movement helps regulate your nervous system.
⁣
Rhythmic movement activates your vestibular system and helps discharge stored stress. It’s your body’s way of saying: you’re safe, you’re grounded, you’re okay.
⁣
And when you release that anxiety, your baby can feed more peacefully.
⁣
Because if you hold onto it, your baby will feel it. Babies are wired to mirror us—our breath, our tone, our muscle tension. An anxious body can mean a fussy feed, a shallow latch, or a distracted suck.
⁣
But when you settle, so does your baby.
⁣
Feeding isn’t just about milk—it’s about connection. And connection flows better when you’re regulated.
⁣
So next time you feel anxious—don’t fight it. Move with it. Breathe through it. Let your body lead your baby into calm.







🫶🏼♥️🫶🏼Paying It Forward: for those who follow and those that don’t, my husband has been diagnosed with cancer. He had surgery two weeks ago and they removed a tumor that was 8.1cm, spread over 5 organs and unfortunately they had to leave some of the cancer. We go Thursday to consult with oncology about treatment plan options. My husband is contract blue collar and I am self-employed. A good friend of mine set up a GoFundMe. I am just incredibly thankful for those who have donated and prayed for us. This is incredibly hard. I have been trying to figure out a way to pay this outreach forward. I am going to do giveaways of my guides - 10 per week - the Oral Movement, Unwind or Feeding Support.

You have to comment which guide would be beneficial for you and I will randomly pick 10 people on a designated post/ week. I want this to be an opportunity for those who can’t afford them but seek more support! ♥️ Please share so that this reaches who it needs to.

Comment LOVE for a link to the GoFundMe - and please continue prayers.

06/09/2025

We have to SOOTHE AND REMOVE. Get the pacifier out of babies mouth ESP when they are playing, awake and calm.

Yes, sucking is calming for babies…
But what really matters is how they’re sucking.

The calming effect comes from the tongue rising rhythmically to the palate, stimulating the vagus nerve and supporting nervous system regulation.

👅 That movement is what we want to encourage and protect—whether through feeding, play, or soothing.

🍼 Pacifiers and thumb-sucking become compensatory strategies when the tongue isn’t able to move functionally.
👉 Over time, this can reinforce patterns linked to oral tension or dysregulation.

✨ Try This to Support Functional Sucking:
– Oral play that encourages tongue-palate contact
– Make clicking sounds and invite baby to copy
– Rhythmic movement or co-regulation before a feed to reduce compensatory sucking

We don’t need to stop babies from soothing—
We need to support the body’s design to do it well.

*in the clip, I’m holding the lips and jaw open… they should be comfortably closed*

If you want more directed oral movement activities… comment PLAY for the Oral Movement guide (18$) and see all the benefits of oral play ❤️🔥

When a speechie calls it “the best parent guide” they’ve found… 🫶 That means the world to me.Making expert-backed tools ...
06/09/2025

When a speechie calls it “the best parent guide” they’ve found… 🫶 That means the world to me.
Making expert-backed tools accessible and impactful is what I’m all about.
If you’ve got a baby (from birth and up!)—this is your go-to guide.

Comment PLAY to experience the game changer of this guide 🎉

06/09/2025

Another mama drove 2.5 hours for support—and left feeling more confident, hopeful, and empowered in her feeding journey. 🫶 This is why I do what I do.

Comment SESSION to book a session with me! 💫

06/08/2025

“Tongue ties are a fallacy.”
That’s the sound bite making waves — but let’s talk about what’s really going on.

What many call posterior ties are often signs of tension, asymmetry, and nervous system dysfunction — not always a true restriction. But let’s not swing the pendulum so far that we miss real cases either.

Then comes this line:
“Would you drive a car with square wheels?”
Exactly — structure matters. A frenectomy, when truly needed, changes the structure to restore function — but it’s not the whole journey.

What we don’t need:
❌ Extremes.
❌ Quick clips with no prep.
❌ Dismissal of real dysfunction.

What we do need:
✅ Whole baby assessment.
✅ Pre-work to reduce tension.
✅ Hands-on teaching for parents to move with their babies.

Let’s stop choosing sides and start choosing the baby in front of us. 🤍

When parents tell me they feel the difference — even after one try — I KNOW this guide is doing its job. 💫 Whether it's ...
06/08/2025

When parents tell me they feel the difference — even after one try — I KNOW this guide is doing its job. 💫

Whether it's for your baby or even for yourself (yes, really!), these simple oral play stretches make a world of difference. Birth and up — under $20! 🥹✨

👇 Comment PLAY and I’ll send it your way! 💚

06/07/2025

Why do babies get hiccups so often?
Hiccups are often a sign of diaphragm irritation—which can be triggered by air intake, feeding tension, or even body tightness. Instead of just waiting it out, gentle movement can help settle the nervous system and release tension.

💨 Try this: Hold baby upright against your chest and slowly sway side to side while doing soft, rhythmic pats on their bottom. This calms the vagus nerve and helps reset the diaphragm.

✨ Bonus: It’s also great for bonding and regulation.

Another hiccup helper? The knees-to-tummy rock.
Hiccups can be a sign that baby’s diaphragm or nervous system is a little irritated. Gentle movement can help calm things down.

🌀 Try this:
Lay baby on their back and slowly bring their knees toward their belly in a rocking motion. Hold for a few seconds, then release. Repeat a few times while making eye contact and cooing softly to keep baby calm.

This movement helps:
✔️ Release gas
✔️ Ease tummy and diaphragm tension
✔️ Support body awareness and regulation

06/06/2025

I often hear “my baby just can’t relax with Dad.”
But when we take a closer look, we often see that tension transfers tension.
⁣
One of the first things I helped my husband with was to notice how much he’s unknowingly gripping or bracing while holding baby.⁣… and then to relax ✨
⁣
It’s not about doing it “wrong”—it’s about noticing the little things. When we soften our hold, baby feels that shift and often begins to settle, too. 💛
⁣
✨ Next time you’re holding your baby, pause and check in:
— What can you soften or let go of?
— Where might you be pushing into baby that’s not actually needed?
— Can you let your own body rest, too?
⁣
Small changes in your body can create big changes in theirs.

If you want to learn more about touch and movement, that’s the Baby Unwind guide. Comment UNWIND and don’t forget to use code 10OFF ❤️🕊️
⁣

06/04/2025

Don’t underestimate the feet 🦶 — even in sleep.

Incorporating footwork into your baby’s day can be as simple as a few gentle squeezes or stretches while they snooze or feed.

In this clip, I’m massaging the space between the second and third toes — a powerful point that supports:
• 🌿 Nervous system regulation
• 🧠 Reflex integration
• ⚖️ Body awareness + balance
• 🌬️ Head and sinus drainage (reflexology link!)

The feet are rich with nerve endings and reflex points. Just a minute of connection can support calming, coordination, and body mapping — all while bonding through touch.

📌 Don’t wait for a “perfect moment” — sneak in this kind of support during diaper changes, naps, or nursing sessions. The little things add up.

As always… the posts and education I share is free- please use and enjoy! If you want more concise and directed support, consider my parent guides.

For more baby movements to support development and feeding, and decrease tension— comment UNWIND. ❤️ Be sure to use code 10OFF. ✨

06/03/2025

I LOVED seeing this so much I had to share! Thank you Docjenfit - Jen Esquer for sliding this clip in your reel 🥰

The guppy stretch is a game-changer for babies! 💫 It gently opens the chest, releases tension through the front body, and supports better breathing, feeding, and regulation. Small move — big impact! 🐟✨

… it’s good for ALL ages!!

06/03/2025

🤔 Did your baby suddenly start feeding differently, struggle with reflux, or seem more frustrated? That’s a sign of something deeper — not just a phase. The body always adapts, but sometimes in ways that need support. Let’s get to the root. 💡

✨ You can help at home — and I’ll show you how.

Comment:
UNWIND 💫 for the link and get started with gentle, effective support for your baby today. Use code 10OFF

Address

Albany, CA

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Feeding Mom posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to The Feeding Mom:

Shortcuts

Share

Category