Babies have occupations too! The occupations of babies include eating, learning to interact with their environments with their senses, moving their bodies, and bonding with caregivers. In addition to those occupations, sleep, and digestion are also important daily activities for babies and families!
In addition to assessing and treating oral skills for eating, occupational therapists can also assess and treat the whole body and provide guidance and treatment to help babies regulate their nervous systems, optimize their movement patterns, decrease tension, maximize their comfort related to engaging in their environments, promote their physical development, and bonding with the important people in their lives.
Challenges that may benefit from an occupational therapy referral:
-Asymmetries of the head and posture (head turning or feeding preference to one side)
-Plagiocephaly, Brachycephaly
-Oral dysfunction/Feeding problems with the breast or bottle
-Oral restrictions such as tongue tie/lip tie
-Pre/Post Frenectomy therapy
-GI issues like colic/reflux
-Fussiness/Body Tension/Stiffness
-Low tone or increased tone
Services provided:
- Pre-Post Frenectomy Therapy
- Breast and Bottle Feeding
- TummyTime Method!
- Infant Positioning and Handling
- Torticollis and Plagiocephaly Prevention and Treatment
- Parent Education and Ergonomics
- Sensory Processing and Colic Management Strategies
- Feeding and Baby-led weaning / Introduction to Solids
- Gross and Fine Motor Development and Strengthening
Appointments are available on Thursdays. Call the office to schedule. 215-886-2433
About Nancy Sotiropoulos, MSOTR/L, CIMI2, IBCLC:
I have spent almost 20 years working in early intervention, focusing on sensory processing. My background in sensory processing, along with a natural interest in working with young babies, has led me down a path to be able to provide more support to families earlier in their journey together. In addition to sensory processing and nervous system regulation, I have worked with various feeding and developmental challenges – including but not limited to autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, seizure disorder, CHD, developmental delay, and torticollis.
Along with my OT credential, I am certified in Infant Massage (CIMI2) as well as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Obtaining my 500 clinical hours at the BRC showed me that my OT work can help with infant feeding. Along with this training, I have pursued continuing education around pre and post-frenectomy therapy, infant oral function/dysfunction, bottle skills, TMR (Total Motion Release), and Tummytime Method! (certified).