In honor of Oral Health Month and March Madness, CAFF will be releasing one new episode a day until the end of the month. Welcome to episode 56 of the Airway First podcast! You can catch this and all other episodes on Apple, SoundCloud, Podbean, RSS, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. And don't forget to check us out on YouTube!
My guest today is Michelle Emanuel. Michelle has 28+ years experience as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, with specific focus on posture, movement and connection for the precrawling baby. She has a background in neonatal intensive care (NICU), pediatric intensive care (PICU), cardiac intensive care (CICU), and outpatient population. She has a unique and interesting way of blending traditional and complementary forms of therapeutic applications, with her main emphasis on facilitating healthy nervous system function.
Michelle is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and a National Board Certified Reflexologist. She has advanced training and extensive experience in a wide array of manual therapy and bodywork techniques, including CranioSacral Therapy, Myofascial Release, Reflexology, Baby Facial Massage and more.
Michelle developed a unique curriculum of manual therapy utilizing Therapeutic Skin Movement for Pediatrics (TSMP) and Nervous System Regulation. She is a certified Yoga Instructor (RYT200), and is also certified in Infant Massage, Baby's First Massage, and Butterfly Touch Massage.
Michelle is a knowledgeable and dynamic presenter. She teaches her own classes and also speaks at various conferences internationally on the topics of Neurodevelopment, Oral Restrictions, Optimal Oral function, Play Therapy for Babies, Mental Health for Babies and Families and more.
TummyTime! Method was developed to address the rising numbers of babies affected by sleeping on their back, developing tension patterns, torticollis and flat spots. She offers the "secret" to helping babies and families have fun and enjoy the tummy time experience. Developed circa 2005, it was the first, and still only, program developed directly addressing the 'tummy time issue' and has been learned by close to 1000 professionals worldwide.
Michelle also developed BabyMyo, a novel curriculum of oral habilitation involving optimal strength, endurance, range of motion, sensory processing, motor patterns, reflexes, oral and pharyngeal phases of breastfeeding and bottlefeeding for the newborn to precrawling baby.
You can find out more about Michelle at tummytimemethod.com.
The precrawling stage contains critical periods of movement, reflexes, autonomic regulation and neurodevelopment. ~ Michelle Emanuel
Show Notes:
Tummy Time: tummytimemethod.com
BabyMyo: babymyo.com
American Academy of Pediatrics Recommendations for Breastfeeding
IBCLC: ibclc-commission.org
Michelle's Top 10 Reasons for Breastfeeding Beyond Nutrition
WHAT IS THE TUMMYTIME!™ METHOD?
A scientific, evidenced informed program developed to uniquely address the needs of babies in the newborn to precrawling stage of life. The program is specific to attuning to baby's calm and relaxed state, healthy nervous system function, as well as connecting with parent during tummy time.
Tummy time is the foundation of all sensorimotor skills throughout life! Your baby is learning how to move their body outside of the womb. It is important for your baby to learn to use his or her neck, shoulder and arm muscles when in tummy time.
Researchers have found consistent tummy time to be associated with improved motor development. This means that four month old babies who spent 30-90 waking minutes on their tummies scored higher on developmental tasks when compared to babies who did not spend time in tummy time.
Parents can find out more about the TummyTime!™ Method by visiting Michelle's website at tummytimemethod.com.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH A LACTATION CONSULTANT?
The long-term benefits of breastfeeding your baby cannot be understated, which is one reason many new moms seek the support of lactation specialists or midwives to learn the proper way to breastfeed.
One of the main benefits is that a lactation consultant can help to identify and address any issues you might be having, such as sore nipples, low milk supply, or a baby who is not gaining weight...all of which can prevent a successful breastfeeding experience. Secondly, lactation consultants can provide emotional support to new parents. Plus, for mothers of premature or immunocompromised babies, lactation consultants can develop special feeding and storage plans tailored to your baby's exact needs.
A board-certified lactation consultant can help you before and after delivery with:
Prenatal counseling to help you prepare a breastfeeding plan
Basic positions and latching techniques
Tips and practices to promote successful breastfeeding and lactation
Milk expression and storage
Developing strategies for continuing to breastfeed after returning to work
