The NICU Toolkit: Expert Tips from an OT

In this enlightening and informative episode of "The NICU Toolkit," we sit down with a seasoned occupational therapist (OT) who has dedicated their career to helping parents and their little ones navigate the often-overwhelming world of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Samantha Goldman shares invaluable tips and strategies for making the most out of your time in the NICU, including bonding techniques, developmental milestones to watch for, and advice on how to effectively communicate with your medical team. We'll also discuss the vital role that occupational therapy plays in the NICU environment and how it can help promote the optimal development of your preemie or high-risk newborn. From understanding the unique challenges faced by NICU families to learning how to advocate for your child's needs, this episode is a must-listen for anyone with a loved one in the NICU. Tune in to gain insight into the world of occupational therapy, gather essential tools for your NICU journey, and discover how you can empower yourself as a parent to support your child's growth and development, even in the most challenging circumstances. Show notes here: https://earlymotherhoodguide.com/episode-012/ Read all about breastfeeding here: https://EarlyMotherhoodGuide.com Here's where you can find Samantha: Food Explorers Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/food-explorers-podcast/id1659053842 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsamgoldman Hi friends! I’m Sam, but my clients love to call me Dr. Sam. My mission is to help families bring the magic back into their mealtimes. The parents that I support dream of their child having a happy, healthy relationship with food. But when their child has feeding challenges and just won’t eat, they’re left feeling lost, concerned, and like a bad parent. Through my 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist in childrens hospital's, including the NICU, I saw first-hand how these eating difficulties not only affected a child’s health but their family dynamics. And so I was empowered to do something about it. I realized that parents were lacking the resources and guidance they needed to feed their child. So, I made them myself! In my exclusive Food Explorers Membership I teach parents how to create peaceful, no-pressure mealtimes where you can spend time connecting with your family instead of focusing on food battles with your child. And in my Making Sense of Eating course I teach parents how to help their child overcome “sensory issues” at the table so they can start exploring and trying new foods.