Summary: Feeding during infancy is a foundational co-occupation shaped by the reciprocal interaction of infant and caregiver. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners bring a unique, holistic lens to infant feeding by addressing not just oral-motor skills, but context, sensory processing, developmental trajectory, and the emotional experience of feeding as a co-occupation. Additionally, research shows that occupational and psychosocial factors—such as early return to work, lack of lactation-supportive environments, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders affect occupational performance of infant feeding for both caregiver and infant. Co-occupational patterns evolve across infancy, and shape later relational and functional development.
This session explores the OT role in supporting typical development in early feeding for infants aged 0–6 months, with an emphasis on breastfeeding dyads and feeding as a co-occupation. Participants will examine how OT practitioners can address common feeding concerns in well and at-risk populations using therapeutic approaches that support caregiver confidence, infant regulation, and co-occupation. Participants will explore interventions rooted in OT’s unique perspective and clinical reasoning. As occupational therapists, we support meaningful occupations across the lifespan—but by understanding and supporting life’s very first occupation, we equip ourselves to better address feeding across developmental stages. This session aims to contribute to the education of current and future OT practitioners by highlighting emerging niches in infant care and affirming our role with our youngest clients.
About The Speakers:
Haydee Medrano OTR, MOT, CBS, PHC has been an occupational therapist for 10 years, with experiences in oncology and stroke rehabilitation, but her motherhood experience changed the trajectory of her career. She now specializes in private practice maternal health occupational therapy, supporting women through pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond with pelvic floor therapy, infant feeding/lactation, and infant development. She is a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS) and is currently pursuing her International Board Certified Lactation Counselor (IBCLC) and Perinatal Health Specialist (PHS) certification. Haydee is passionate about supporting the mother/baby dyad, through a holistic and integrated lens, and providing community health initiatives, such as support groups, playgroups, and workshops to help close the gaps in healthcare. She is the co-owner of Bloom Her Path, an obstetric and lactation therapy practice.
Haydee lives in Corpus Christi, Texas with her husband, daughter, and 2 dogs. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Rehabilitation Services from University of Texas Pan-American in Edinburg, Texas, followed by a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman's University in 2015 in Houston, Texas.
Jessica Peterson, OTD, OTR, IBCLC, PMH-C, CEIM is an infant and maternal health occupational therapist and a board-certified Lactation Counselor on a mission to redefine the way we support new parents. Jessica obtained her Master's in Occupational Therapy from San Jose State University in 2011 and completed a post-professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Boston University in 2023. Her doctoral capstone project focused on the lived experiences of parents with physical disabilities and culminated in a comprehensive website of resources for occupational therapy practitioners and others supporting parents with disabilities.
After launching her private maternal health practice in 2022, Jessica further pursued her passion in the occupation of feeding, particularly focusing on the unique experiences of mothers and infants. She became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in 2025. Jessica now owns Milk Stories, a private practice located in Austin, Texas, specializing in infant feeding, development, and maternal health. As a proud mom of two, Jessica deeply understands the complexities and joys of parenthood, dedicating her career to empowering parents to confidently navigate their transformative journey into motherhood and beyond.
Learning Objectives:
Describe the role of occupational therapy in supporting infant feeding as a co-occupation between caregiver and infant
Identify at least three therapeutic strategies used by OT practitioners to address feeding challenges in typically developing and at-risk infants aged 0–6 months.
Analyze a case scenario to determine appropriate occupation-based interventions for breastfeeding or bottle-feeding within a home or community setting.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs): According to the 2024 NBCOT Activities Chart, this seminar may qualify for 2.0 continuing education units towards your NBCOT renewal. In order to qualify, you must complete the designated post test which will be emailed to all participants who attend the guest lecture. Once the post-test is completed, a link will be sent with a certificate for you to download for your personal CEU records. As each state and regional licensing board differs, please check your state licensing regulations to confirm if it qualifies toward renewal of state professional licenses.
The fee for this live webinar is $40.
It takes place via zoom on Monday, November 10th at 6:30pm CT/5pm ET
This course will be a total of 2 hours including Q+A
A recording will be sent to those who register and will be made available for 30 days.
This event is free of charge for Members of The Network. Already a Member? RSVP in Heartbeat HERE