One Child Specialized Occupational Therapy

08/12/2025

We need to remind parents to make time to just be present with their baby. Yes, therapy is important if your baby needs it. Yes, wound care is critical if you’ve had a frenectomy.

What’s more important though, is that these parents don’t lose out on enjoying their newborn. The bonding time is precious time that needs to be a part of the treatment plan.

I always say, “if it feels like you’re doing OT on your baby all day, then you’re doing too much. I want you to make time to do nothing but snuggle your baby.”

So everyone’s homework today is to set aside time to just be present with your baby. Snuggle. Cuddle. Go outside. Co-regulate together. Everything will be ok.

06/26/2025

Your baby’s mouth tells a powerful story—about how they sleep, how they breathe, how they feed, and how their nervous system and entire body are functioning.

What we see in the mouth is deeply connected to how the rest of your baby is regulated and developing. Tension, restriction, or oral dysfunction can show up as feeding struggles, poor sleep, shallow breathing, or even limited movement.

That’s why getting your baby evaluated in the first month of life is so important.
Tongue ties and other oral-motor issues are often overlooked or dismissed with phrases like:

👉 “They’re gaining weight, so it’s fine.”

But weight gain alone doesn’t tell the whole story. A baby can gain weight while still struggling—especially if they’re bottle-fed or if mom has a strong milk supply. It’s the quality of feeding, sleep, and regulation that matters.

I’ve worked with so many babies whose challenges were brushed off with, “They’ll grow out of it.” Many don’t. Early support makes a huge difference.

🍼 If you have questions, need support, or feel like something’s being missed—reach out. I’m here for you.

09/01/2024

My dad and I have been having coffee dates together for years. We talk, we laugh, he shares stories with me, and he gives me advice.

I used to be all weird and emo about hanging out with my dad because I thought he was just going to lecture me the whole time. As I got older (and wiser), these coffee dates have become cherished moments that I not only look forward to, but deeply miss when I’m not around. It actually breaks my heart to be away from him.

He may not always have the right answers for me or know what I’m truly going through, but I know I can count on him when it matters most.

I am who I am today because of the father and the man my dad is for me.

Also, how does he look younger than me in this photo?! ♥️🤣

08/29/2024

To think, I used to argue with my mom so much. The teenage years and my 20s and 30s were spent in just stupid turmoil with my mom over the dumbest things. If I could go back in time, I would choose her over anything else a million times.

She’s the craziest woman ever but she is our ride or die. Laughing and spending time with her now are the most precious moments I could ever ask for. The things she used to do that would bother the hell out of me are now the most endearing things about her.

I love her so goddamn much. ♥️

08/25/2024

We always talk about how breastfeeding is important. You have to breastfeed. You have to do this. You have to do that.

But, there are fathers out there who can’t breastfeed or don’t have access to breastmilk. And their only option is a bottle and formula. Or dads who just help out with bottle-feeding.

Let’s celebrate that.

To all the dadas out there taking care of your babies, we salute you. We support you. And we love you.

08/10/2024

I’ll be speaking at the International Association of Orofacial Myology Convention in Raleigh, North Carolina in September ✨🤩 To be invited by the one and only, Diane Bahr, is truly an honor. She’s not only my mentor but my friend. 🥹

It’s a 2-hour presentation on how ties may impact the quality of an infant’s sleeping, breathing, feeding, and movement, from an perspective.

So excited to share my knowledge and expertise.

♥️♥️♥️

08/08/2024

Have you been told that lip blisters, milky tongues, two-toned lips, and ties are no big deal?

Well, they are. Get a new provider.

It doesn’t mean we jump to surgery as the first step, but if your baby has these symptoms, THEY NEED HELP.

They aren’t going to grow out of it either. They will keep having to over compensate when the next set of milestones kick in.

07/17/2024

The open-mouth postures on the left are not optimal breathing patterns. If your baby looks like that most of the time, you should seek support from a provider that specializes in oral motor development.

The photos on the right are post photos after 1 year of ongoing oral therapy. Significant improvement in oral resting posture.

She also continues to see a speech therapist. Some babies need that ongoing support as they hit each milestone. There is no black and white solution and progress does not happen over night.

I foresee her also needing myofunctional therapy for short term once she’s older. What separates her case from many others is that we are monitoring her (OT , chiro , dental , regional center, and ENT).

Pro-active parenting is key. 🤩

07/03/2024

Tummy time is a deceiving word because most people think it means leaving your baby on their tummy all day. It is not.

Tummy time should be functional movement of the WHOLE BODY in DIFFERENT POSITIONS.

What they do on their backs is just as important.

• Can they turn their head to both sides?
• Is the ATNR (primitive reflex) present on both sides?
• Can they visually track to both sides and up and down?
• Can they orient to your voice/sounds on both sides?

Furthermore, it’s not just a yes or no. What is the quality? Do they scrunch up on one side? Do their shoulders tense up? Do they track only partially to one side?

If you aren’t sure, reach out.

04/30/2024

01/25/2024

For today, just love on your baby. Snuggles. Cuddles. Kisses.

If you’re not needing to do wound care, just play. Don’t worry about the therapy for today. Go outside. 🌸💐🌺🦋☀️🌷🌻

Sometimes, the downtime is just as therapeutic as the therapy itself. 🩷

01/20/2024

In 1869, George Catlin wrote a book called, “Shut Your Mouth,” in which he observed the negative impact of mouth breathing.

1869! See? We didn’t just make up this nasal breathing thing.

“There is no perfect sleep for man, with the mouth open; it is unnatural, and a strain upon the lungs.” - Catlin 1869