gentle joy, playful nourishment
pediatric speech-language pathology & lactation counseling
gentle joy, playful nourishment
pediatric speech-language pathology & lactation
counseling for families of infants and toddlers
Milk Bird Health offers...
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Feeding + Lactation Support
Pediatric feeding therapy and lactation support guides families towards a vibrant relationship with nourishment, however that looks for your child and your family.
Whether your little one is learning to latch for the first time, weaning from a feeding tube, exploring solids, or elsewhere on their feeding journey, I can help. Feeding therapy blends medically-accurate information with compassionate guidance that centers your family's priorities.
We start with a holistic assessment, including a medical history, feeding observation, and getting to know your child’s needs and strengths. For lactation concerns, we will also explore your health history and breastfeeding journey, and complete a breast exam if needed.
Every feeding therapy session will weave together play and relaxation as we explore ways to make nursing and mealtimes nourishing for your whole family, while attending to your little one’s unique constellation of needs.
Sessions can take place in your home or via telehealth.
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Early Communication Therapy
Communication therapy, also called speech therapy, provides you with strategies to have clear, joyful communication with your child. Using our voices and bodies to communicate should be fun!
Every visit will consider how social skills, emotional regulation, sensory needs, medical history, and family social dynamics impact communication. Children learn to talk by interacting with others, so speech therapy is just as much about supporting your family’s wellness as it is for your child.
I support children learning to communicate using all different modalities, including verbal speech, signs and gestures, and augmented and alternative communication options such as choice boards and speech generating devices. There is no “best” modality, in my practice—all communication is good!
I use a caregiver coaching model, with a goal of teaching you the strategies to expand your child’s skills. Through play, song, and shared enjoyment, your little one’s communication skills will flourish!
Sessions can take place in your home or via telehealth.
Feeding + Lactation Support
Pediatric feeding therapy and lactation support guides families towards a vibrant relationship with nourishment, however that looks for your child and your family.
Whether your little one is learning to latch for the first time, weaning from a feeding tube, exploring solids and feeding themselves, or elsewhere on their feeding journey, I can help. Feeding therapy blends medically-accurate information with compassionate guidance that centers your family’s current priorities.
We start with a holistic assessment, including a medical history, feeding observation, and getting to know your child’s needs and strengths. For lactation concerns, we will also explore your health history and breastfeeding journey, and complete a breast exam if needed.
Every feeding therapy session will weave together play and relaxation as we explore ways to make nursing and mealtimes nourishing for your whole family, while attending to your little one’s unique constellation of needs.
Sessions can take place in your home or via telehealth.
Communication Therapy
Communication therapy, also called speech therapy, provides you with strategies to have clear, joyful communication with your child. Using our voices and bodies to communicate should be fun!
Every visit will consider how social skills, emotional regulation, sensory needs, medical history, and family social dynamics impact communication. Children learn to talk by interacting with others, so speech therapy is just as much about supporting your family’s wellness as it is for your child.
I support children learning to communicate using all different modalities, including verbal speech, signs and gestures, and augmented and alternative communication options such as choice boards and speech generating devices. There is no “best” modality, in my practice—all communication is good!
I use a caregiver coaching model, with a goal of teaching you the strategies to expand your child’s skills. Through play, song, and shared enjoyment, your little one’s communication skills will flourish!
Sessions can take place in your home or via telehealth.
Our sessions will be…
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Individualized
Your ideas, values, and goals for your child will guide every session. There is no “right way” to raise a child, so my recommendations will be tailored to meet your family where you are.
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Integrative
Your child’s wellness is about so much more than where they plot on a growth chart or a checklist of milestones. We will explore their development through the lens of attachment, regulation, play, and more.
-
Collaborative
Our sessions may look different than you've come to expect from western medical providers. Our visits are a collaboration between you, me, and your baby, and I will never push, pressure, or guilt you into a treatment plan.
Our sessions will be…
-
Individualized
Your ideas, values, and goals for your child will guide every session. There is no “right way” to raise your little ones, and all my recommendations will be tailored to meet your family where you are.
-
Integrative
Your child’s wellness is about so much more than where they plot on a growth chart or a checklist of milestones. We will explore their development through the lens of attachment, regulation, play, and more.
-
Collaborative
Our sessions may look different than you've come to expect from western medical providers. Our visits are a collaboration between you, me, and your baby, and I will never push, pressure, or guilt you into a treatment plan.
Classes + groups are not yet
open, but here’s what’s coming:
Classes + groups are not yet open, but here’s what’s coming:
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Breastfeeding Basics Class
This monthly class is geared towards pregnant folks and their partners, and covers the basics of lactation including how to help your baby latch well, how to know if they are getting enough milk, hunger and fullness cues, formula and pacifier use, navigating medical complexities, and more.
Classes are still a work in progress… more info to come!
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Starting Solids Class
This monthly class is geared towards families of older infants and toddlers who are ready to start solid foods. We will cover baby’s changing nutrition needs, introducing allergens, self-feeding skills using hands and utensils, cup drinking, oral-motor development, sensory needs, and more.
Classes are still a work in progress… more info to come!
-
Breastfeeding Basics Class
This class is oriented towards pregnant folks and their partners, and covers the basics of lactation including how to help your baby latch well, how to know if they are getting enough milk, hunger and fullness cues, formula and pacifier use, navigating medical complexities, and more.
Classes are still a work in progress…
more info to come! -
Starting Solids Class
This class is geared towards families of older infants and toddlers who are ready to start solid foods. We will cover baby’s changing nutrition needs, introducing allergens, self-feeding skills using hands and utensils, cup drinking, oral-motor development, sensory needs, and more.
Classes are still a work in progress…
more info to come!
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Lactation Support Group
This monthly drop-in group is for families to support one another around the joys and challenges of breastfeeding. Whether you’re nursing your first child or your fifth, whether your child is two days old or two years old - you are welcome.
The group was created for nursing parents to connect with one another, but other supportive caregivers and siblings of all genders are welcome as well.
Groups are still a work in progress… more info to come!
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Disability Support Group
One of the most common struggles parents share with me is how lonely it can be to raise a child with a disability. This group was created to help grow a village of support. Whether your child’s disability is temporary or lifelong, you are welcome.
In this space, we view disability as a social construct rather than a ‘failure’ of the body or mind, and we use affirming language that uplifts disabled folks.
Groups are still a work in progress… more info to come!
-
Lactation Support Group
This drop-in group is for families to support one another around the joys and challenges of breastfeeding. Whether you’re nursing your first child or your fifth, whether your child is two days old or two years old - you are welcome.
The group was created for nursing parents to connect with one another, but other caregivers and siblings of all genders are welcome as well.
Groups are still a work in progress…
more info to come! -
Disability Support Group
A common struggle parents share is how lonely it can be to raise a child with a disability. This drop-in group was created to help grow a village of support. Whether your child’s disability is temporary or lifelong, you are welcome.
In this space, we view disability as a social construct rather than a ‘failure’ of the body or mind, and we use affirming language that uplifts disabled folks.
Groups are still a work in progress…
more info to come!
FAQs
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Your first visit will include an in-depth evaluation and treatment planning, as well as coordination with other providers on your child’s team as needed. This initial new client visit usually lasts about 90 minutes, and is billed at $245.
Follow-up therapy visits are usually 60 minutes, and are billed at $175.
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At this time, I am an out-of-network provider. I am happy to provide a superbill following each visit for submit to your insurance to request reimbursement for out-of-network coverage. Call your insurance to determine your individual coverage and reimbursement procedures. I recommend asking:
Does my plan cover out-of-network habilitative and/or rehabilitative services like speech-language pathology?
What percent or dollar amount will I be reimbursed for each visit with my plan?
What is the process to submit a request for reimbursement with my insurance company? (Usually there is a form to submit alongside the superbill.)
Do I need pre-authorization for SLP services on my plan?
I know that this process can initially seem daunting, so feel free to reach out if you’d like to work with me but need support navigating your insurance.
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Yes
If your family is experiencing financial hardship and the price of therapy is not manageable right now, I’d love to discuss a payment plan or reduced fee to make services more accessible.
For all families, visits will be scheduled with your financial capacity in mind, which may mean visits every other week or less often depending on your needs.
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Newborn to about three years old
I also work with some families who recently aged out of early intervention services (usually following the child’s third birthday).
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I love this question!
Most people do not know that speech-language pathologists help with more than just pronouncing words. SLPs are licensed to assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, and feeding/swallowing disorders across the lifespan.
SLPs are experts in the anatomy and physiology of all structures related to communication and eating, including the mouth, nose, throat, lungs, diaphragm, and the brain and nervous system.
SLPs are the folks to call when your baby is coughing when they breastfeed, when your toddler is gagging on solid foods, or when your child is struggling to progress with self-feeding and cup-drinking skills. We support with habilitative services (developing a skill for the first time) and rehabilitative (regaining a skill after illness or injury).
Children struggling with early feeding skills may be referred to an SLP or to an occupational therapist (OT). -
Yes
I have experience with identifying suspected oral ties, as well as providing treatment strategies to improve feeding skills regardless of whether your family pursues a surgical intervention.
My role is to provide you with evidence-based information related to your child’s feeding skills and potential outcomes of different interventions, and I will honor whatever choice you make with that information.
FAQs
-
Your first visit will include an in-depth evaluation and treatment planning, as well as coordination with other providers on your child’s team as needed. This initial new client visit usually lasts about 90 minutes, and is billed at $245.
Follow-up therapy visits are usually 60 minutes, and are billed at $175.
-
At this time, I am an out-of-network provider.
I am happy to provide a superbill following each visit that you may submit to your insurance to request reimbursement for out-of-network coverage. Call your insurance to determine your individual coverage and reimbursement procedures. I recommend asking:
Does my plan cover out-of-network habilitative and/or rehabilitative services like speech-language pathology?
What percent or dollar amount will I be reimbursed for each visit with my plan?
What is the process to submit a request for reimbursement with my insurance company? (Usually there is a form to submit alongside the superbill.)
Do I need pre-authorization for SLP services on my plan?
I know that this process can initially seem daunting, so feel free to reach out if you’d like to work with me but need support navigating the insurance piece.
-
Yes. If your family is experiencing financial hardship and the price of therapy is not manageable right now, I’d love to discuss a payment plan, reduced fee, or work trade to make services more accessible.
For all families, visits will be scheduled with your financial capacity in mind, which may mean visits every other week or less often depending on your needs.
-
Typically from newborn to about three years old.
I also work with some families who recently aged out of early intervention services (usually following the child’s third birthday).
-
I love this question!
Most people do not know that speech-language pathologists help with more than just pronouncing words. SLPs are licensed to assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, and feeding/swallowing disorders across the lifespan.
SLPs are experts in the anatomy and physiology of all structures related to communication and eating, including the mouth, nose, throat, lungs, diaphragm, and the brain and nervous system.
SLPs are the folks to call when your baby is coughing when they breastfeed, when your toddler is gagging on solid foods, or when your child is struggling to progress with self-feeding and cup-drinking skills. We support with habilitative services (developing a skill for the first time) and rehabilitative (regaining a skill after illness or injury).
Children struggling with early feeding skills may be referred to an SLP or to an occupational therapist (OT). -
Yes
I have experience with identifying suspected oral ties, as well as providing treatment strategies to improve feeding regardless of whether your family pursues a surgical intervention.
My role is to provide you with evidence-based information related to your child’s feeding skills and potential outcomes of different interventions, and I will honor whatever choice you make with that information.