Reflexes, Milestones, Tongue-Ties OH MY! with Dr. Allison Chisholm PT, DPT

Rewire For Birth Podcast

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Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr. Allie Chisholm as she shares her journey from a pediatric physical therapist to becoming a mother and how it reshaped her approach to supporting both infants and their caregivers during the vulnerable postpartum period.

Key Topics:

1. Background & Journey
   • Education in Boston; Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
   • Transition from skilled nursing facilities to pediatrics.
   • Specialization in infant populations (ages 0-2).
2. Transition into Motherhood
   • Personal experiences with feeding struggles and unexpected challenges of motherhood.
   • The importance of preparing for postpartum realities.
3. Holistic Care Approach
   • Emphasis on treating infants alongside supporting mothers emotionally and mentally.
   • Collaborative care model that empowers parents rather than sidelining them.
4. Birth Experiences & Infant Development
   • How different birth processes can affect newborns physically.
   • Examples include head shaping issues due to positioning during birth or tightness affecting feeding patterns.
5. Primitive Reflexes & Early Postpartum Interventions
   • Understanding primitive reflexes like the breast crawl post-birth.
   • Importance of early interventions such as tummy time for motor skill development, breathing optimization, and elongation of body muscles.
6. Tongue Tie Controversy & Management Strategies
   • Discussion around tongue tie diagnoses; conservative management versus surgical intervention options.
   • Empowering parents through informed decisions about potential releases based on functional impairments observed in infants.
7. Tummy Time Benefits Beyond Motor Skills – Addressing common parental anxieties regarding SIDS while emphasizing varied approaches to tummy time practice.
8. Plagiocephaly (Head Flatness) Insights – Conservative treatment strategies over helmet use when appropriate, focusing on early detection and intervention techniques within critical age windows.

Takeaways:

• Parenting is humbling; practical experience often diverges from theoretical knowledge—embrace this learning curve!
• Support systems are crucial—both professional guidance like PTs who consider family dynamics holistically but also peer networks sharing similar journeys can be invaluable resources too!
• If you’ve experienced pregnancy/baby loss, you don’t have to cope alone, reach out to us for support and check out the other podcasts that helped Dr. Allie as she navigated this challenge: The Birth Hour & The Worst Girl Gang Ever.

Quotes:

"Motherhood will humble you right where you need it most."

"Working collaboratively ensures families feel supported instead of sidelined."

Connect with Dr. Allie Chisholm, PT, DPT:

www.themovingpeanut.com

On Instagram @themovingpeanut
Download my FREE Meditation here.