GrowWellSTL

GrowWellSTL Pediatric OT committed to providing feeding and developmental care that empowers you that you are doing everything right for your baby.

07/30/2026

All jokes aside…

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are the number one complication of childbirth. They impact roughly 1 in 5 pregnant and postpartum individuals and can be more common than many of the physical complications we routinely talk about.

While this audio is meant to be lighthearted, the reality is that so many parents are quietly carrying anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, or overwhelming emotions during pregnancy and after their baby arrives.

If that’s you, please know this:
✨ You are not alone.
✨ You are not a bad parent.
✨ Support is available.

As an occupational therapist, I know that caring for a baby also means caring for the parent. Your mental health matters…not just for you, but for your entire family.

Let’s normalize asking, “How are you doing?” And meaning it, right alongside, “How’s the baby?”

If this resonates with you, share it with another parent who might need the reminder that they don’t have to struggle alone.

07/29/2026

Tip Tuesday: What is co-regulation?

If your baby is upset, the first person to regulate is…you.

Co-regulation is when your baby uses your calm nervous system to help calm theirs. Babies aren’t born knowing how to regulate their emotions, they learn through repeated experiences with a calm, responsive caregiver.

The next time your little one is crying or overwhelmed, pause for a moment. Take a slow, deep breath. Relax your shoulders. Then respond with a calm voice and gentle touch.

Your baby may not calm instantly, but your regulated presence gives them the best chance to settle.

Sometimes the best way to help your baby regulate…is to regulate yourself first.

07/27/2026

Baby girl may not have been thrilled with me for recording her while she was eating…but moments like these are about so much more than feeding.

Every bottle is an opportunity for connection, comfort, and learning. As babies watch your face, coordinate their little hands, and settle into the security of your arms, they’re building skills that go far beyond a full tummy.

The ordinary moments are often the ones that help them grow the most.

Now I’ll let her finish her bottle in peace. 😂

07/26/2026

Once upon a time, I was the one month old in the first photo.

Now I have the privilege of supporting babies and their families, supporting my community.

Every smile…every feeding…every milestone is part of the person a baby is becoming.

We can’t predict exactly who they’ll grow up to be, but we can support them as they build the foundation for whatever comes next.

That’s why I love what I do. Because today’s tiny moments become tomorrow’s big story.

07/23/2026

Every new parent has been there…

One person says one thing, another says the exact opposite. 🤯

Here are 5 topics parents get conflicting advice about all the time:

🤱 1. Feeding - Watch cues or follow a schedule? Breast or bottle? Start solids at 4 months or 6 months?

😴 2. Sleep - Wake to feed or let them sleep? Contact naps or crib naps? Sleep train or wait?

🍼 3. Pacifiers - Great for soothing…or avoid them? Which pacifier is best? When should you stop?

🧸 4. Tummy Time - It has to be on the floor. On your chest counts too. How much do they need?

👶 5. Milestones - “Just wait and see.” They need to meet milestones by the same age as your friend’s baby…knowing when to get help can be confusing!

The truth? Every baby is different, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Understanding the why behind the recommendations can help you make confident decisions for your family.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting advice, you don’t have to sort through it alone.

✨ Which of these has been the most confusing for you? Tell me in the comments!

07/22/2026

Did you know that the nutrients in infant formula don’t stay exactly the same forever?

While unopened formula is safe to use until its expiration date when stored properly, some vitamins and other nutrients gradually decline over time. That’s why, when you have the option, it’s best to choose formula with a more recent manufacturing date rather than buying cans that have been sitting on the shelf for a long time.

A few quick tips:
🍼 Check the expiration date before you buy.
🍼 Use the oldest formula in your pantry first (“first in, first out”).
🍼 It is a good idea to store formula in a cool, dry place, not in the garage or a hot car when possible.

Small choices like these can help ensure your baby is getting the nutrition they need during this important stage of growth.

✨ Save this post for your next formula shopping trip, and share it with another parent who might find it helpful!

07/20/2026

Not every new skill comes with smiles right away, and that’s okay!

This little one is learning how to use a Mombella mushroom teether as part of building oral motor skills and self-soothing. You might notice moments of frustration, and that’s completely normal. Learning takes practice, patience, and sometimes a break before trying again.

In therapy, we follow baby’s cues. We celebrate the little wins, support them through the hard moments, and never expect perfection.

Those tiny victories? They add up to big progress over time.

If you’ve ever worried because your baby gets frustrated while learning something new, know that you’re not alone. Progress doesn’t have to look perfect to be meaningful.

Save this to remind yourself that learning is a process.

07/20/2026

Your baby doesn’t need a perfect parent...they need you.

Your voice, your cuddles, your comfort, your smile, your presence.

To your baby, you’re doing exactly what they need. You are their safe place, their favorite place, and their whole world.

So on the days that feel a little bleh, remember this: your love is shaping your baby’s world in ways you may not even see yet.

07/19/2026

Occupational hazard? Maybe. 😅

Once you start a private practice targeted toward helping babies and families in their first year, and focus all of your trainings on topics related to babies, everything somehow comes back to feeding, development, sleep, tummy time, or milestones…or just how adorable they are!

I promise I have other interests…but babies are definitely my favorite topic!!

Anyone else have a job they can’t stop talking about?

07/15/2026

Tip: You don’t have to choose between purées and baby-led weaning. Many babies do well with a combination of both. The best approach depends on your baby’s development, feeding skills, and your family’s comfort level.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is that parents have to pick one feeding method and stick with it.

In reality, many families use a combination of purées and baby-led weaning. Sometimes parents start with one approach or the other and it is going as planned.

That’s exactly why I offer different types of support:

• First Foods Coaching — for families before or just getting started with solids.
• Feeding check-in — when feeding feels stressful or you’re running into challenges.
• Feeding Evaluation — when you have big concerns and want to look at the bigger picture of your baby’s feeding and oral motor development.

My goal isn’t to fit your baby into one philosophy, it’s to help you find an approach that works for your baby.

Address

154 St. Peters Centre Boulevard
Saint Peters, MO
63376

Telephone

+16367484060

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