How to become an IBCLC for OTs, SLPs, or PTs (2023)
How do you become a lactation consultant as a therapist? How long does it take to become a lactation consultant? Lactation is an emerging area of practice for occupational therapists, speech therapists, and physical therapists because of this I have had quite a few inquiries from therapists about how to become a lactation consultant. This blog will answer a lot of common questions.
Signs your newborn is hungry- Early feeding cues
Many moms wonder how much and how often to feed their babies. The best approach for a baby that is gaining well is to watch for signs of hunger. These signs might be subtle but if you tune into your baby's cues you get the hang of it. This post reviews early feeding cues.
Infant Craniosacral Therapy
Are you interested in trying baby craniosacral therapy? Then this post is for you. I’m offering Unwind and Activate sessions which include a combination of techniques to address tension, flexibility, alignment, and improve motor skills. These sessions are for pre-crawling babies, and I’m offering them in my Mount Pleasant office only.
Bodywork Massage for Babies: Craniosacral, Craniosacral Fascial Therapy (CFT), Chiropractic, Osteopathy, and more. (2024)
I treat babies with several kinds of “bodywork” in Charleston, SC. I have training in, craniosacral therapy, infant massage, and reflexology. I see a lot of questions about baby bodywork on social media, so I decided to write a quick post about the different kinds of bodywork and the potential benefits for a baby. Bodywork is another word for manual therapy. There are many kinds of manual therapy, like infant massage, craniosacral fascial therapy, chiropractic work, and even reflexology.
Baby milestones by month
Babies develop on different timelines. Development happens on a continuum, so some babies will develop some skills earlier and some a little later. Here are some of the skills/behaviors that are likely to emerge each month.
Nurture & Nourish - New Digital Business Cards
I just wanted to introduce myself, I'm Erica Rampant and I help families feed their babies. I specialize in working with infants and families on development, feeding, and lactation.
Office in Mount Pleasant
Getting settled in!
I love having a designated office in Mount Pleasant to work with all my equipment. I’m so excited about some new tools I’m adding to my tool kit. More tools mean more ways to support my clients with their goals.
Storing and Preparing Breastmilk: CDC Guidelines (2023)
Here are some helpful tips on how to prepare a bottle of breastmilk. There are several good ways to thaw frozen breast milk to minimize the loss of nutritional factors.
The best way to thaw breastmilk to is to place it in the refrigerator overnight. You can also run it under warm water, or set it in a bowl of water. It’s important to know that you should never heat breast milk in the microwave. This can create hot spots and burn your baby. Here are the bullet points of how to prepare a bottle of breastmilk.
What makes me different?
Looking for expert lactation and developmental support in Charleston? As an IBCLC and pediatric occupational therapist, I focus on infant development and feeding. With specialized training in oral motor skills, swallowing function, sensory difficulties, and bodywork like craniosacral therapy, I offer comprehensive support for breastfeeding and bottle-feeding dyads. From positioning guidance to addressing muscle imbalances, I provide therapies in-house to streamline your care. Say goodbye to multiple appointments and stress, and reach out for personalized assistance. Discover how my expertise can help you and your baby overcome feeding challenges.
Feeding is a whole body activity
Feeding is a whole body activity. Babies who have difficulties feeding often have difficulty moving effectively too. Sometimes it's actually what's happening in the body that is affecting feeds. These babies may have a head turning preference, asymmetries, body tension, or decreased strength. That's why getting a provider that addresses the whole body can be so helpful.
Follow me on IG
I just made a new instagram page, let me know what you think!
Follow my page for info on infant development, feeding, and lactation. Here are some topics I will be covering: how to feed a newborn, how to know if your baby is getting enough milk, breastmilk storage, how to get a deep latch, breastfeeding tips for new moms, tongue tie and more!
Now offering pediatric scale rentals
It’s a big day for Nurture and Nourish Services. I’m updating my scale, which means that my previous scale is now available for rent. I know a lot of families worry about their baby’s weight gain. Keeping track of trending weight can be a relief for concerned moms and dads.
This Seca 334 scale is practically new, its lightweight and its sensitive to 5g. It weighs in both lbs. oz. and Kg. If you are interested in keeping track of your baby’s trending weight, reach out today!
Have you heard of baby-led weaning
Have you heard of baby led weaning? Are you curious about it for your baby? I was introduced to this method when my daughter started eating solids. Thanks to her fierce independent streak, she did not want to be spoon fed. So with the proper preparation, we tried baby led weaning and she loved it. I learned that surprisingly babies don’t need teeth to chew. My daughter is 7 now and she eats almost anything! If you are interested in baby led weaning, contact me today!
Bottle Feeding your Breastfed Baby: Paced feeding, newborn feeding, bottle nipples, bottle feeding tips (2024)
Are you looking for a newborn bottle specialist in charleston, SC. Do you want to know what the best bottles are for your breastfeeding baby? Are you struggling formula feeding your newborn?Are you having trouble finding the right bottle for your baby? Are feeds taking a long time or is your breastfed baby having trouble figuring out how effectively feed off a bottle? If your baby has a tongue tie or oral motor dysfunction bottle-feeding could be a challenge.
Some babies who have been exclusively breastfed have a hard time learning the mechanics of bottle-feeding. If you are going back to work, it’s important to introduce bottles ahead of time, to ease the transition. I usually recommend introducing a bottle around 3-4 weeks.
What I can help with
I’m a pediatric occupational therapist and a Certified Lactation Counselor and I specialize in infants. I offer developmental, feeding, and lactation support.
It's common to not know what OT's do, because there are so many different specialties within our profession. I thought it would help to breakdown the services I offer in a series of posts.
Nipple pain, Ouch!
Painful feeds can happen for so many reasons, shallow latch, tongue tie, oral motor dysfunction, a small or recessed jaw. If you are having nipple pain when breastfeeding, I have great guide for improving latch. Sign up for our newsletter and get a free resource on getting an optimal latch.
What causes painful breastfeeding?
Painful breastfeeding. Here are some potential causes, shallow latch, tongue tie, high palate, recessed jaw, and oral motor dysfunction. If your baby shows any signs of these it’s important to get help.
Breastfeeding Newborn Tips - Latch and Positioning (2024)
Have you ever struggled with painful breastfeeding? Getting a good latch is the first place to start with fixing painful feeds. Here are some indicators of what a good latch looks like!
New Lactation Office in North Mount Pleasant
Nurture & Nourish Services is expanding with a new office in North Mount Pleasant. Check out our convenient location and expert lactation support and infant craniosacral therapy. Whether you're seeking breastfeeding assistance, infant therapy, or specialized care, our dedicated team is here to help. Experience personalized support in a comfortable setting. Book your appointment today and take the first step towards nurturing your baby's health and well-being.