For all the kiddo heroes out there! For the kiddo who stutters and fights anxiety every time they speak in class. For the kiddo who chokes on liquids and needs thickener added to their Chick Fil A lemonade. For the kiddo with Autism who wants …
This is for all the bleary eyed mamas out there wondering what in the world to do with their freshly expressed breast milk- I see you, I’ve been you, you’ve got this!! There are so many sources for information these days- friends, mommy groups, google …
When it comes to bottle feeding some of our babies can eat seemingly upside down with complete independence while others need many supports and compensations when drinking from the bottle.
Different level nipples can certainly help a baby who needs a slower/faster flow, however a large number of our babies need just a TINY bit slower, or TAD BIT faster to maximize feedings.
Slowing the flow can help a baby who has trouble choking on their liquids or coordinating their suck-swallow-breathe pattern. Increasing the flow can help babies whose mouths don’t have the strength to sustain a whole feeding yet.
Slowing the flow:
~Sidelying Position: Imitates the breastfeeding position. Increases the babies control of liquid and decreases choking.
~Pacing: Allows a baby more time to coordinate their breathing with their eating.
~Tightening the neck of the bottle: Using the laws of physics to decrease the flow of liquid.
Increasing the Flow:
~Cheek support: This can be one cheek or both cheeks supported. Improves suction during bottle feeds to increase milk removal from the bottle.
~Chin support: Stabilizes the jaw to help the baby use his tongue to create more suction on the nipple.
All bottle compensation should be initiated with the help of a skilled speech pathologist!
Y’all! This game is GOLD! If “Pop The Pig” isn’t a game in your therapy closet or home, you need this game ASAP! I’ve never met a child who doesn’t like playing this game! What’s extra great about this game is that you can use …
“My child knows all of his letters, numbers and shapes!”“So wonderful! BUT, can he ask for a drink when thirsty? Tell you when he’s hurt and needs a hug? Engage with others during play?” Using language versus communication skills is such an important concept. We …
Pretend play is so important for our kiddos but it’s not just for the imagination!
Pretend play rich in PARENT-LED VOCABULARY helps our littles learn countless single and two-word phrases!
Because our kiddos learn first words through repetition, doll houses and little people play sets are the perfect toys to use to build vocabulary. Parents can use this play time to model appropriate everyday words while moving toys from room to room.
The key for parents-keep talking and narrating not only your kiddos moves but also their toys moves as well as your own! There’s nothing more motivating than mom or dad engaging in one on one pretend play with their baby!
One of the main questions an SLP receives is, “What can I do to boost my child’s language?” As simple as the answer is, reading to our children has immeasurable literacy, social and emotional benefits! Caregivers can and should start reading to their children as …
Messy Mealtimes! The last thing moms want to hear is, “Let your kiddo make a huge mess during their meal” but this WORKS! Our babies learn through experiences-touching, poking, smearing, smelling and rolling with their fingers. When we allow our babies these experiences without the …
The power of play in the therapy setting is invaluable! Not only is play more motivating but the brain absorbs new concepts through play quicker and easier than with flash cards or drilling. So often therapists and parents can fall into the flash card rut but I encourage you to find target items around the house that represent your child’s targets! It’s quick and easy to put together a “therapy box” full of real life items to work towards your kiddos goals!