Postpartum, Breastfeeding and Bottle Feeding Therapy in Naperville
Postpartum Support and Infant Feeding Therapy in Dupage County and Surrounding areas
Supporting mothers in their journey to positive, pain-free, mealtime experiences
Creating Positive Pain Free Mealtime Experiences
Our Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) and Occupational Therapy (OT) department believe in the assessment and treatment of mother baby pairs who have difficulty with breast or bottle feeding, difficulty transitioning from bottle to table foods, and children past the age of toddlerhood with feeding disorders from a holistic perspective. Understanding that feeding and mealtime occurs within the context of a caregiving support system, our goal is to improve positive mealtime experiences by prioritizing goals that align with your child’s needs and caregiving unit values. Our therapists are trained to use principles of multidisciplinary collaboration, mindfulness, sensory integration, neurodevelopment treatment, and traditional models of speech language pathology and occupational therapy to help guide assessment and intervention strategies. It’s our goal to help your child foster connections through pleasant and pleasurable mealtime routines which foster emotional engagement and trust building while at the same time meeting your child’s growth and hydration needs.
Breastfeeding Red flags
Nipple pain that lasts longer than 10 days
Excessive spit up
Crying, arching and head thrashing while latching
Not opening mouth wide enough to latch pain free
Reduced ability to quickly and easily establish smooth coordinated suck
Coughing or choking while feeding
Coughing or choking after feeding
The sense that your baby isn’t getting enough to eat before they fall asleep
Color change around the lips while the baby is eating
If you have a concern please use this link to book an appointment with our speech language pathology team today!
Meet the Booklet Developers
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Dr. Laura Sambrookes- McQuade, CCC-SLP
Feeding Interventionist & Speech Language Pathologist
As a masters student at Northwestern University, Dr. McQuade had the privilege of being taught by swallowing disorders (dysphagia) expert Jeri Logemann, PhD. Utilizing principles of neurology, anatomy, physiology and neurodevelopmental treatment techniques, Dr. Laura brings a unique lens to her feeding evaluations and treatment recommendations helping newborns and mothers achieve positive, pain free mealtime experiences.
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Kati Waalk, BS
Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student
Kati is in the final stages of her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Midwestern University in Illinois. She has created a program to enhance the mealtime experience for breastfeeding mothers and their newborns. Her career reflects a strong commitment to helping children and families, and she has recently focused on assisting mothers and infants during their breastfeeding journey.
This capstone project seeks to collect real-life experiences from mothers regarding their breastfeeding journeys. The insights gained will aid Occupational Therapists and Speech Language-Pathologists in providing effective support within this area. By recognizing the challenges and successes of mothers, we can design a program that effectively addresses the varied needs of mothers.
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Dr. Divya Sood, OTR/L
Faculty & Capstone Supervisor, Midwestern University
BIO
Dr. Divya Sood recieved her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy degree from Manipal University in India. She received her Post Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from Washington University, School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO. Dr. Sood has been an occupational therapist for almost 20 years, and she has experience working as an occupational therapist both in India and USA. Her clinical and research work focuses on promoting participation of children with disabilities within home, school and community environments. Dr. Sood has over fifteen years of experience as an Occupational Therapy Educator. She began her teaching career at Midwestern University in 2019 and is a tenured Professor in the Program of Occupational Therapy.
Available Booklets
Maternal mental health is vital for both mother and child. New mothers' mental well-being affects their bonding, care, and breastfeeding abilities. Breastfeeding benefits mothers too, as it releases hormones that lower stress and enhance connection with their infants. However, challenges like anxiety, depression, and fatigue can impede breastfeeding. Supporting maternal mental health through programs equips mothers with coping strategies, promoting successful breastfeeding and better health outcomes for both. Prioritizing maternal mental health and breastfeeding fosters an environment that nurtures mothers and their children. Investing in mothers' health benefits families and communities.
Explore the significance of maternal ergonomics and baby positioning for comfort and health. Your well-being affects your child's development in those early months. Maternal ergonomics optimizes posture and environment to reduce discomfort and enhance daily activities, helping prevent back pain and fatigue. Utilizing ergonomic chairs, carriers, and changing tables allows for comfortable movement.
Baby positioning is equally vital; proper techniques during feeding, carrying, and sleeping support your baby's development, reducing issues like reflux and colic. Learning correct holding practices fosters healthy growth and bonding.
Introducing sensory supports tailored for mothers of newborns. Navigating the early days of motherhood can be overwhelming, and sensory supports can play a vital role in creating a calm and nurturing environment for both mother and baby.
Empower your parenting journey with sensory supports that foster a harmonious connection between you and your newborn, ensuring a nurturing start in these vital early months. Embrace the journey with confidence, knowing you have the right tools to support your body’s unique needs as you support your baby's growth and development.
Introducing our range of sensory supports designed specifically for newborns to enhance the feeding experience. These carefully crafted suggestions are aimed at promoting comfort, relaxation, and sensory engagement during feeding times, ensuring a nurturing environment for both the baby and caregiver. Our sensory supports can reduce newborn stress and anxiety around the work of eating and can improve focus, allowing newborns to feed more effectively.
By integrating these sensory support suggestions into your feeding routine, you not only promote better feeding habits but also foster bonding moments between caregiver and infant. Research shows that a positive feeding experience can impact early brain development, setting the foundation for future learning and emotional health.