gentle joy, playful nourishment
from first latch to first words, and everything in between
gentle joy, playful nourishment
from first latch to first words, and everything in between
Milk Bird Health offers...
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Feeding Therapy
Pediatric feeding therapy 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 playfulness 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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Speech Therapy
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 Therapy
Pediatric feeding therapy 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 your child’s medical history, a 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.
Sessions can take place in your home or via telehealth.
Speech Therapy
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 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.
Prenatal Lactation Consult
Breastfeeding is natural, but that doesn’t mean it comes naturally! However, most are able to meet their breastfeeding goals with just a little support.
Prenatal visits are especially helpful for parents with known health issues, parents who have struggled with breastfeeding in the past and want it to be different this time, and those whose babe has a known or suspected complication. I can also support adoptive and LGBTQIA families looking to induce lactation.
You will leave your consult with:
All your questions answered and (hopefully) worried eased
A personalized plan to get through feeding during the early days of postpartum, including supports for your own nutrition, rest, and social support
An established relationship with a lactation specialist for any feeding concerns that arise postpartum
Prenatal Lactation Consult
Breastfeeding is natural, but that doesn’t mean it comes naturally! However, most are able to meet their breastfeeding goals with just a little support.
Prenatal visits are especially helpful for parents with known health issues, parents who have struggled with breastfeeding in the past and want it to be different this time, and those whose babe has a known or suspected complication. I can also support adoptive and LGBTQIA families looking to induce lactation.
You will leave your consult with:
All your questions answered and (hopefully) worries eased
A personalized plan to get through feeding during the early days of postpartum, including supports for your own nutrition, rest, and social support
An established relationship with a lactation specialist for any feeding concerns that arise postpartum
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.
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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!
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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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Feeding Therapy & Speech Therapy
The initial new client visit usually lasts 90-120 minutes, and is billed at $245. This includes a comprehensive evaluation, initial treatment planning and strategies for you to work on at home until our next therapy session, and coordination with your child's other providers as needed.
Follow-up therapy visits are usually 60 minutes, and are billed at $175.
Lactation Prenatal
Prenatal lactation consults are billed at $130 for a 60-120 minute visit. The appointment length is highly variable due to the wide variety of health, lifestyle, and sociocultural factors to consider. However, I bill a flat rate (rather than hourly) for prenatal sessions in an effort to increase access to lactation support for people of all backgrounds, including those with complex health or unique circumstances.
Postpartum lactation follow-ups to support the mother-baby dyad are billed at $130.
Support Groups
All support groups offered by Milk Bird Health are donation-based. Each group will have a listed 'suggested donation' to help cover the cost of the space and any supplies. No one will be turned away for lack of funds and you are always welcome to join, even if you do not offer a donation. Your donation amount (if any) is private and never shared with other group members.
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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:
For feeding and speech therapy: Does my plan cover out-of-network habilitative and/or rehabilitative services like speech-language pathology?
For lactation consults: Does my plan reimburse for lactation counseling? What codes are acceptable for reimbursement on my plan?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 or lactation 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 don't know that speech-language pathologists help with more than just pronouncing words. SLPs are licensed to assess, diagnose, and treat disorders of speech, language, and feeding/swallowing across the lifespan. Yes really - from birth to death!
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. We offer 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, occupational therapist (OT), or a lactation specialist such as a CLC or IBCLC, depending on the specific concerns. -
Yes
I have experience with identifying suspected oral ties, as well as providing strategies to improve feeding skills regardless of whether your family pursues a surgical intervention (frenotomy).
FAQs
-
Feeding Therapy & Speech Therapy
The initial new client visit usually lasts 90-120 minutes, and is billed at $245. This includes a comprehensive evaluation, initial treatment planning and strategies for you to work on at home until our next therapy session, and coordination with your child's other providers as needed.
Follow-up therapy visits are usually 60 minutes, and are billed at $175.
Lactation Prenatal
Prenatal lactation consults are billed at $130 for a 60-120 minute visit. The appointment length is highly variable due to the wide variety of health, lifestyle, and sociocultural factors to consider. However, I bill a flat rate (rather than hourly) for prenatal sessions in an effort to increase access to lactation support for people of all backgrounds, including those with complex health or unique circumstances.
Postpartum lactation follow-ups to support the mother-baby dyad are billed at $130.
Support Groups
All support groups offered by Milk Bird Health are donation-based. Each group will have a listed 'suggested donation' to help cover the cost of the space and any supplies. No one will be turned away for lack of funds and you are always welcome to join, even if you do not offer a donation. Your donation amount (if any) is private and never shared with other group members.
-
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:
For feeding and speech therapy: Does my plan cover out-of-network habilitative and/or rehabilitative services like speech-language pathology?
For lactation consults: Does my plan reimburse for lactation counseling? What codes are acceptable for reimbursement on my plan?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 don't know that speech-language pathologists help with more than just pronouncing words. SLPs are licensed to assess, diagnose, and treat disorders of speech, language, and feeding/swallowing across the lifespan. Yes really - from birth to death!
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. We offer 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, occupational therapist (OT), or a lactation specialist such as a CLC or IBCLC, depending on the specific concerns. -
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.