Family Tree OT and Lactation

Family Tree OT and Lactation Ashley Karlin, OTR/L, SWC, IBCLC. Empowering families from the start.

A new class is coming to Family Tree OT and Lactation in the Fall. A new parent and me class. This circle is for anyone...
08/08/2025

A new class is coming to Family Tree OT and Lactation in the Fall.

A new parent and me class. This circle is for anyone curious about breaking cycles and building secure attachment. Caregivers who want to nurture themselves while nurturing their little ones.

Come join Mary Carp (she/her) Clinical Psychology Graduate Student and Nurture Neuroscience Practicioner and Ashley Karlin (she/her) pediatric occupational therapist and IBCLC lactation consultant.

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It’s Breastfeeding Awareness Week — and I want to pause and honor all the ways families show up for their babies and for...
08/05/2025

It’s Breastfeeding Awareness Week — and I want to pause and honor all the ways families show up for their babies and for each other.

To the parent nursing around the clock,
To the one pumping in between work calls or NICU visits,
To the educator guiding with compassion,
To the friend, partner, or provider holding space for the hard moments,
And to the parent who wished breastfeeding could have worked but it didn’t…

You are all part of the feeding story. And your story matters.

As a lactation consultant and pediatric occupational therapist and feeding therapist, I know that feeding isn’t just about nutrition — it’s about relationship, regulation, recovery, and resilience. It’s about trying again. It’s about letting go. It’s about meeting your baby where they are, and honoring where you are, too.

Let’s continue to lift up every feeding journey — the beautiful ones, the bumpy ones, and the ones still unfolding.

You’re doing incredible, important work. And I’m so glad you’re here.

Want to join the fun? Comment below with a pic of your messy baby!
08/05/2025

Want to join the fun? Comment below with a pic of your messy baby!

Building a Sandcastle at the beach has sensory benefits!Did you know that building a sandcastle is more than just a fun ...
07/24/2025

Building a Sandcastle at the beach has sensory benefits!

Did you know that building a sandcastle is more than just a fun beach activity? It’s also a powerful sensory experience that supports development and regulation in both kids and adults!

Proprioception (Body Awareness):
Digging, scooping, and packing sand provides deep pressure input to the joints and muscles—especially in the arms, hands, and shoulders. This “heavy work” input is incredibly grounding, helping to develop proprioceptive awareness and even promoting calm and focus.

Tactile (Touch):
Wet sand, dry sand, cool sand, gritty sand—the beach offers a full range of tactile sensations. Running your fingers through the grains or molding sand into shapes activates the tactile system, supporting sensory integration and fine motor skills. For some, it can even support tolerance for individuals who may be touch-sensitive in a safe, playful way.

Bonus benefits:

Encourages creativity and planning
Builds hand strength and coordination
Offers natural relaxation through rhythmic, repetitive movements
Provides a full-body sensory experience when you’re barefoot, kneeling, or laying in the sand
Next time you’re at the beach, grab a bucket and shovel—not just for fun, but for a sensory-rich, body-smart experience. (Parents, do it with your kids)

Did you know you can support better sleep for your whole family—without sleep training?⁣It’s true! Restful sleep can hap...
07/11/2025

Did you know you can support better sleep for your whole family—without sleep training?
⁣
It’s true! Restful sleep can happen without rigid schedules or stressful methods. Here are a few gentle things to consider:⁣
⁣
Get sunlight first thing in the morning – Natural light helps set everyone’s internal clock (even your baby’s!). Step outside or open the curtains early.⁣
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Ditch the blackout curtains – Letting in some morning light helps the body know it’s time to wake up and can support better nighttime sleep too.⁣
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Focus on the infant-caregiver relationship – Feeling safe, connected, and supported is a big part of how babies (and grown-ups!) sleep.⁣
⁣
Rule out health concerns – Discomfort from reflux, oral ties, allergies, or other issues can impact sleep. Trust your gut and talk to your care provider if something feels off.⁣
⁣
Feeding matters – Babies with feeding challenges or unmet hunger needs may wake more often. Supporting feeding can support sleep.⁣
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Rethink sleeping arrangements – Infants are seeking closeness and connection. Is your baby in close proximity? Are they in the same room as you?
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Time in nature – Fresh air and natural light during the day are powerful sleep supports.⁣
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Prioritize your rest too – Rest when and how you can. Even short moments count. Ask for help. Create space to recharge in ways that work with your baby’s current rhythms.⁣
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Lean on your village – You’re not meant to do this alone. Support, community, and shared care make a difference.⁣
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Sleep doesn’t have to be trained. It can be supported—with love, presence, and trust.
⁣

I’m deeply honored and grateful to be chosen by my local colleagues as their provider and support person on their breast...
06/16/2025

I’m deeply honored and grateful to be chosen by my local colleagues as their provider and support person on their breastfeeding journeys. It’s incredibly meaningful to have the trust of those who work alongside me in this field. Supporting fellow professionals through such a personal and powerful time in their lives is a privilege I don’t take lightly. Thank you for allowing me to walk with you on this path—it truly means the world. 💛.

Just wanted to take a minute to share that this work of supporting growing families is exactly what I’m meant to do. Wa...
06/12/2025

Just wanted to take a minute to share that this work of supporting growing families is exactly what I’m meant to do. Watching parents learn to trust their intuition, tune into their babies and nurture their babies is so special. To me, supporting parents is helping to grow a generation of kids with improved overall health (mental health and physical health). As an OT and IBCLC I get to touch on all aspects of life during my visits with clients. In addition to feeding and development, we discuss what routines look like, what families values are, ergonomics and so much more. It’s a wholistic approach for better overall health for the whole family. Infant feeding and development cannot be separate from the whole family until, it’s all connected. If you need support I’m here to help guide you.

Activities with your baby don’t have to be complicated or use a lot of toys. Get outside to the park and let nature do t...
06/11/2025

Activities with your baby don’t have to be complicated or use a lot of toys.

Get outside to the park and let nature do the work. With you and the outdoors, your baby has everything they need.

Here are a few activities to try:

Tummy Time Outdoors
Spread a blanket in the shade and let baby enjoy tummy time on the grass. The new smells, sights, and textures give their senses a workout while building neck, shoulder, and core strength

Nature Walks & Visual Discovery
Take slow stroller walks and stop to let your baby gaze at trees, flowers, clouds, and birds. Point to objects, name them, and let baby track them with their eyes—great for visual tracking and attention

These cozy circles are more than just playtime—they’re a chance to build real community during one of life’s most tender...
06/11/2025

These cozy circles are more than just playtime—they’re a chance to build real community during one of life’s most tender seasons.

Meet other new parents, learn from experts and delight in watching your baby grow!

Give kids free time this summer!!!Unstructured play isn’t a break from learning — it is learning. As occupational therap...
05/30/2025

Give kids free time this summer!!!

Unstructured play isn’t a break from learning — it is learning. As occupational therapists, we know that when kids are given space to explore, move, build, and imagine, they’re engaging in powerful developmental work.

Free play builds:
- Executive functioning (planning, organizing, problem-solving)
- Fine and gross motor skills
- Core strength and coordination
- Social communication & conflict resolution
- Emotional regulation and resilience

So when your child is climbing, digging, running, creating — they’re doing exactly what their brain and body need. This summer, trust the power of play. It’s therapy in disguise.

Let’s set the record straight: your baby isn’t giving you a hard time — they’re having a hard time.When your baby cries,...
05/18/2025

Let’s set the record straight: your baby isn’t giving you a hard time — they’re having a hard time.

When your baby cries, clings, or seems inconsolable, they’re not being “needy” or trying to control you. They’re trying to communicate a need they can’t yet meet on their own. And just like they need you to feed them, change their diaper, or help them get dressed, they also need you to help them regulate their emotions.

Babies are born completely dependent. They can’t soothe themselves when overwhelmed — not because they’re flawed or spoiled, but because their nervous systems are still developing. They quite literally need to borrow your brain to find calm again. This is what psychologists call co-regulation — when a calm, responsive adult helps a child return to a state of emotional balance.

So when you hold them through their tears, when you respond to their cries with empathy and presence, you’re not “giving in” — you’re building their brain. You’re teaching them that the world is safe, that their emotions are manageable, and that connection is the foundation for growth.

Emotional regulation isn’t an instinct — it’s a skill. And just like walking or talking, babies learn it through practice and support.

Be the calm in their storm. You are not spoiling your baby — you are shaping their future.

As parents, we hear it all the time: “Play is important.” But what exactly does that mean?Real play isn’t planned or scr...
05/18/2025

As parents, we hear it all the time: “Play is important.” But what exactly does that mean?

Real play isn’t planned or scripted by adults—it bubbles up naturally from your child’s own curiosity and joy.

In occupational therapy, play is considered one of the most essential “occupations” of childhood.

Real play is 100% child-directed.
It’s driven by your child’s interests—not adult expectations, learning goals, or structured agendas. Whether they’re building a fort out of pillows, pretending to be a cat, or collecting rocks in the backyard, your child is doing deep, meaningful work through play.

When children lead the way, they’re:

Practicing problem-solving
Exploring their creativity
Regulating emotions
Building confidence
Learning how the world works—on their terms

As parents, one of the best things we can do is make time and space for this kind of play. That means stepping back, observing without directing, and trusting our children to guide their own learning through joyful exploration.

Let them lead. That’s where the magic—and the development—really happens.

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