Eliminating bottle feeding challenges and bottle refusal.

We’ll help you and your little one to enjoy bottle feeding.

As a parent, nourishing your child is a top priority. Sometimes, feeding comes naturally, but for some babies bottle feeding can be challenging. It can be quite stressful when things don’t go as planned. That’s why it’s important to have an expert in your corner who can support you and provide evidenced-based solutions to help get your little eating.

Holistic Feeding Support

Feeding is one of the earliest and most critical skills for an infant, and it involves a complex interplay of motor, sensory, and oral skills. As an occupational therapist and international board-certified lactation consultant (OT/IBCLC), I will assess and address not just bottle-feeding mechanics, but also any underlying developmental issues that might affect feeding success, such as low muscle tone, coordination challenges, or sensory sensitivities.

What We Offer:

  • Coordinated Developmental Support: Feeding and other early developmental milestones—like grasping, head control, and movement—are interconnected. I will simultaneously address feeding and developmental needs, creating a seamless approach to achieving milestones that builds confidence and skills for both you and baby.

  • Customized Family Guidance: I give parents like you the tools and strategies that are tailored to your family’s unique needs. This can include guidance on feeding routines, positioning, and pacing, all while supporting the parent-infant bond.

  • Family centered goals.  I provide unbiased, judgment-free support, whether your goal is to pump and bottle feed, or add formula into the mix. Your goals are my goals.

What We Help With:

Prenatal Feeding Preparation

Choosing the best bottle

Flow rate selection

Bottle refusal

Coughing

Gagging

Gulping/Chugging

Leaking Milk

Slow to feed (>25 minutes)

Reflux

Tongue Tie

Slow Weight Gain

Failure to Thrive

When to Change the Nipple

What is an IBCLC?

An IBCLC, or International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, is a healthcare professional with the highest credential specializing in breastfeeding and lactation support. An IBCLC has undergone rigorous training and passed a board-certification exam, making them experts in breastfeeding physiology, infant nutrition, and maternal health. 

IBLCLCs help parents and infants with a range of breastfeeding-related challenges, such as latching difficulties, low milk supply, positioning techniques, milk expression, and navigating special situations like feeding multiples or premature infants. They play a crucial role in helping families establish and maintain breastfeeding, supporting both the infant's and mother's health and well-being.

What are the benefits of seeing an OT/IBCLC?

As the region's only occupational therapist who is also a board-certified lactation consultant (OT-IBCLC), Nicole believes in providing holistic and comprehensive care for infants and families.  Seeing an OT-IBCLC provides a unique combination of skills that can offer more comprehensive support for your baby. Here are the key benefits:

  • Holistic Feeding Support: Feeding is one of the earliest and most critical skills for an infant, and it involves a complex interplay of motor, sensory, and oral skills. As an OT/IBCLC, Nicole will assess and address not just breastfeeding or bottle-feeding mechanics, but also any underlying developmental issues that might affect feeding success, such as low muscle tone, coordination challenges, or sensory sensitivities.

  • Nicole is trained in “bodywork” modalities that can be used to reduce body tension. These include massage, myofascial release, and trigger point release, which may be incorporated into your sessions.

  • Coordinated Developmental Support: Feeding and other early developmental milestones—like grasping, head control, and movement—are often interconnected. An OT/IBCLC can simultaneously address feeding and developmental needs, creating a seamless approach to achieving milestones that builds confidence and skills for both baby and parent.

  • Customized Family Guidance: With expertise in both lactation and early childhood development, an OT/IBCLC can give parents like you the tools and strategies tailored to your family’s unique needs. This can include guidance on feeding routines, positioning, pacing, and safe transition to solids, all while supporting the parent-infant bond.

  • Early Intervention Advantage: If there are any signs of developmental delays, Nicole can help spot them early, providing guidance and interventions that can make a big difference in preventing more complex issues later on.

Nicole brings a deep understanding of both infant development and feeding, helping babies get the best start in both nutrition and early skills development. This expertise can be particularly helpful for babies born prematurely, with medical challenges, or who have unique feeding needs.

Pricing

If you are providing breastmilk for your baby, or that is your goal, your appointments may be covered by your health insurance plan.  We partner with The Lactation Network and Wildflower Health to improve access to lactation care.

If you have Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Health Care, Multiplan, PNOA, or VA-CCN-Optum East

CLICK HERE to CHECK YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE

If you have CIGNA

CLICK HERE to VERIFY YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE

*If you have a different insurance than what is listed, we can still see you! bwellbaby, LLC is considered an out-of-network provider and we will provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement. We accept all major credit cards as well as HSA and FSA cards.

**If your baby is on an exclusive formula diet and you are not lactating, nor wish to do so- we would love to see you! We will provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement. We accept all major credit cards as well as HSA and FSA cards.

After you have completed the insurance form, click the button below to schedule a discovery call to get started!

Pleased Parents

Nicole was great to work with! She helped my son overcome a bottle refusal. She was so patient and taught me a great deal about infant feeding. I am so grateful for her services!

— Allison

Nicole is the best peds OT in the Triangle! She really tailors her classes to each families individual needs and is such a great resource. Her background and education is exceptional. As a NICU RN, I highly recommend bwellbaby!

— The Darcey’s

Our Process

STEP 1

Get Started

Contact us today and sleep easier tonight. Schedule a free discovery call or send us an email so we can learn about your concerns and answer any questions you may have.

STEP 2

Comprehensive Evaluation

We provide a “whole baby” approach and complete a full developmental evaluation to determine your baby’s strengths and challenges.

STEP 3

Tailored Treatment Plan

We partner with you to create an individualized treatment plan. We use a play-based approach to therapy and involve you every step of the way.