Feeding difficulties can be rooted in disciplines outside an IBCLC’s scope, or you may simply want support in another area–for you or for baby. Here’s a list of wonderful providers dedicated to helping you along your way.
Body people
It may seem surprising, but newborns often have areas of tension in their bodies that can interfere with feeding (lack of mobility or coordination in the mouth), digestion (think gas pain), or general comfort. This could be related to undue force on one area of the body during the birth process, or even how the baby was positioned in utero. Regardless, we see that often a few treatments can improve multiple issues. Moreover, many of these professionals can treat you, too! Goodness knows your body has been through some strain.
Rollo-Guiney PT: Dr. Lizzy Rollo-Guiney, PT, DPT
This pediatric physical therapist treats imbalances (like side preferences), flat spots (plagiocephaly), and teaches tummy time. Check out her play groups!
Home visits in PA and DE; 484-243-0966; IG: @rollo_guineypt
Baby Basics OT: Dr. Kelsey Swope, OTD, OTR/L, BCG
An occupational therapist, Kelsey’s primary focus is infants with an interest in oral function and feeding issues.
Home visits in PA and DE; 484-400-3136; babybasicsot.com
The Baby Movement Coach: Dr. Sarah Richards, PT, DPT
Sarah is a pediatric PT and another great resource for understanding your baby’s body and infant milestones. Her groups and tummy time classes are a fun way to learn strategies for play that support healthy development.
Home visits in DE and virtual visits; thebabymovementcoach.com
The Chiropractice Doula: Dr. Paige Fuentes, DC, IBCLC, CD(DONA), CCCE
Chiropractic adjustments for pregnant parents and infants, acupuncture, and doula services.
1601 Concord Pike, Ste 80 Wilmington, DE 19803; (302) 615-0175; thechiropracticdoula.com
Just for you <3
Physical Therapy for Women: Dr. Anne Collins Duch, WCS, MPT
This one is a local legend! Anne Duch (pronounced “duke”) does pelvic floor PT to start and all kinds of women’s health beyond. Don’t miss her prenatal and postpartum yoga classes.
1601 Concord Pike, Ste 34 Wilmington, DE 19803; 302-559-1118; pt-women.com
Action Potential Physical Therapy
This group offers birth prep sessions and perinatal PT focused on pelvic floor health and conditioning before and after delivery. They can help with cesarean recovery, too.
Offices in Kennett Square, Glenn Mills, Media; 484-841-6154; reachyours.com
FIT4MOM
With Fit4baby and stroller strides classes, this group in Glen Mills has your body covered before and after baby. Bonus: it comes with a crew of mom-friends! (And your first class is free.)
Various locations in Glen Mills area; 302-753-5268; glenmills.fit4mom.com
Maternal Mental Health
Postpartum Support International
Find helplines, specialized mental health providers here in Wilmington, and resources at this non-profit dedicated to helping those suffering from perinatal mood disorders–the most common complication of childbirth.
Jewish Family Services
With a dedicated maternal mental health program, JFS is an excellent resource whose clinicians have specialized training in perinatal care. Many insurances are accepted, and support groups are offered.
99 Passmore Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803; 302-478-9411; jfsdelaware.org
Josie’s Grace
This four-week program, attended three hours a week, allows new parents to navigate stress and fatigue while off-setting isolation in the fourth trimester.
197 Possum Park Rd, Newark, DE, 19711; 302-715-3430; josiesgrace.com
Charlie Health
Exclusively offering intensive outpatient programming, this completely virtual care is covered by nearly all insurances and has a program specifically for maternal mental health. Intakes are free.
Virtual; 986-206-0414; charliehealth.com
Oral Tie Releases
The Center for Airway and Facial Development
Dr. Green and her team assess oral tissues from a few weeks of age through the teen years, with insight into structure of the face over the course of childhood. Expect thorough follow up, nonjudgmental treatment options, and education.
620 Churchman’s Rd, Ste 201, Newark, DE 19702; 302-239-7233; airwayandfacialdevelopment.com
Westtown Dental Arts
Dr. Stall provides laser releases for infant oral ties with follow up for families in PA and northern DE.
1244 Wrights Lane, West Chester, PA 19380; 610-590-4568; westtowndentalarts.com
Doulas and Childbirth Education
The Birth Center
Whatever you need, the Birth Center has you covered! Midwives, doulas, childbirth ed, lactation support, breastfeeding groups–it’s all there.
620 Churchman’s Rd, Newark, DE, 19702; 302-300-3551; thebirthcenter.com
Birthing Peace
Nikkita offers birth and postpartum doula services, as well as hypnobirthing classes and placenta encapsulation.
Middletown; 302-613-1304; birthing-peace.com
Lavender and Love
Samantha Sheffler is a birth doula in north Wilmington and the surrounding areas, who has worked with The Birth Center since 2017.
Wilmington; 443-466-4993; lavenderandlovedoula.com
Foi en la Femme (“faith in the woman”)
Janelle does a little bit of everything-birth and postpartum support, postpartum bone closing ceremonies, bengkung belly binding, Evidence-Based Birth classes, and womb care.
Wilmington; 302-601-2050; foienlafemme.com
Read more about doulas, and about more doulas here