I provide you with evidence based, integrative therapy through a realistic parenting lens.
My kids taught me how challenging it can be to feed your babies. I experienced first hand the difference knowledge and a supportive team can make. My goal is to educate and empower parents to feel informed, supported, and purposeful in working towards their feeding goals.
I was that first time mom in excruciating pain with non-stop tears with every feeding. I was feeling so lost and defeated about how to feed my baby. I was in pain, my daughter was in pain, she wasn’t feeding successfully at the breast and she wasn’t feeding successfully from a bottle. As a pediatric OT and feeding therapist I recognized right away there was a problem. I reached out and saw all the “right” providers and my concerns were brushed off. I was stuck between loving every second of being a new mom while also struggling.
I did everything I could to educate myself and found the right resources. Through time and commitment, I ended up being able to meet my personal feeding goals with my first daughter. I love motherhood and becoming a parent was such a special time for me however I experienced first hand the lack of support a new mom can face.
However you choose to feed your baby, you should be able to get the right support. That mom gut feeling something is off, is real and should not be ignored. If you are struggling with feeding or early development, reach out and get the support you deserve.
You don’t have to do it alone.
Formal Education
I received my Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Minor in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2013. I earned my Master of Occupational Therapy from Bay Path University in 2015.
Certifications
Speciality Trainings
The Occupational Therapist’s Role in Breastfeeding Presented by Marissa Yahil, MSOT, OTR/L, CBS
Supporting Oral Motor Skills in the Infant: Assessment, Adaptation, and Remediation Presented by Kimberly Grenawitzke, OTD, OTR/L, SCFES, IBCLC, CTN and Kary Rappaport, MS, OTR/L, SCFES, IBCLC
Bottle Feeding Skills: Refining Clinical Reasoning for Selection and Use Presented by Julie Matheney, MS, CCC-SLP, CLEC, IBCLC
Tongue Ties, Breastfeeding, and the Lactation Savvy Therapist Presented by Jeanne Pichoff, LOTR, CLT, CLC
Baby Jaws & Breathing Nose to Toes Presented by Cynthia S. Peterson, PT, CSOM, CST
TMR Tots for Torticollis: From Feet To Feeding Presented by Susan Blum, PT, TMRc
Mixed Feedings: How to make Individualized, evidence-based recommendations to support families supplementing with infant formula Presented by Dr. Bridget E. Young, PhD, CLC
Failure to Thrive, Suboptimal Weight Gain, and the Lactation Savvy Therapist Presented by Jeanne Pichoff, LOTR, IBCLC
AEIOU Systematic Approach to Pediatric Feeding Presented by Nina Johanson MS, CCC-SLP
Play With Your Food Presented by Susant Roberts MDiv, OTR/L
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“I don't have enough good things to say about Feeding Foundations OT! I had the good fortune of being referred to Alessandra regarding some concerns that I had about my son's development, and she promptly scheduled a consultation at my home and provided exceptional support to our family. She is professional, kind, caring, and knowledgeable, and I would recommend her very highly and without hesitation to anyone seeking OT support for their child!”
— Kaitlyn
“Alessandra is really good at what she does, and you can tell she loves it and is invested in her work. She evaluated my 3 month old after we've had seemingly never-ending challenges with breastfeeding and bottle feeding. She was very holistic in her approach - assessing not just oral motor function, but overall physical function, as well as other health factors/history, temperament, etc. - and tied it all together with a plan for us to move forward. We definitely recommend Feeding Foundations OT!”
— Amanda