Infant Occupational Therapy and Lactation in Charleston, WV
Making the connection between the body and feeding
Occupational Therapy • Feeding Therapy • Lactation
Is feeding your baby more difficult than you ever imagined? Let’s figure out WHY feedings aren’t going as planned and HOW you and your baby can reach your feeding goals.
You want the best for your baby and no matter how you chose to feed your baby, I am here to support you.
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Feeding therapy
Bottle feeding, reflux, food intolerance/allergies, tongue and lip tie. Get help determining the root cause of feeding difficulties from an infant feeding specialist.
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Occupational Therapy
Torticollis, head molding, body tension, developmental concerns, Tummy Time! Method, and infant massage. Get hands on help with a licensed therapist.
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Lactation
Breastfeeding evaluations including a weighted feed, help with latch and positioning, a detailed feeding plan all with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
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Prenatal Breastfeeding Course
In person breastfeeding education. Evidence based education and practical tools to set you up for breastfeeding success!
Feeding is a complex interaction between baby and parent, and many things can impact successful feeding whether breastfeeding or bottle feeding.
Let’s find what works for you and your baby.
Cara Daubenspeck, OTR/L, IBCLC, PMH-C
Hi, I am Cara. I am a mother of three who all had some feeding difficulties as infants. It was hard to find the right help, so I have made it my mission to help families get the care they deserve here in Charleston, West Virginia. I have been a pediatric occupational therapist for 15 years and have worked solely with infants, toddlers and their families since 2014. I started as a certified lactation counselor in 2015 and became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant IBCLC in 2021. I am the only OT/IBCLC in West Virginia. I have many other certifications and trainings including being a TummyTime! Method Professional, Certified Infant Massage Instructor, and Tethered Oral Tissue Specialty Trained (TOTs). I am always learning and have also completed hundreds of hours of infant and toddler specific continuing education related to feeding, sensory integration, and overall child development. Most recently, I completed a certification in Perinatal Mental Health and will be incorporating those strategies to deliver comprehensive care to families.
Utilizing a whole body approach to feeding
Your Questions, Answered
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OT is a holistic and evidence based profession. OT helps people function in their daily activities (occupations) to the best of their abilities. For a baby this includes feeding, play/movement, connecting with caregivers, exploring his/her environment, sleeping and more. Breastfeeding is a co-occupation between parent and baby requiring a thorough evaluation when there are problems with feeding. An OT working in infant feeding and development has specialized training and in depth knowledge of the infant’s body, motor skills, oral motor skills, positioning, task analysis, sensory integration, feeding and lactation.
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If you have questions or need support surrounding feedings, schedule an appointment. Common concerns include: latching difficulties, difficulty taking a bottle, tongue & lip ties, reflux, fussy, cries all the time, Torticollis or head shape concerns, difficulty transitioning to solid foods
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Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or call and leave a message—we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.
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As an OT first, I combine a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart.
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You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.
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Yes, we are in network with most insurances and accept medicaid. If you have a commercial insurance but your baby is not yet active, you may be asked to pay for the evaluation at the time of service. This money will be refunded to you pending insurance coverage. In order to bill insurance, a pediatrician referral must be on file. Pediatricians can fax an order for occupational therapy services to 304-345-7386.
We are now partnering with The Lactation Network. If you are breastfeeding and have UHC, UMR or Aetna WV please ask me for the link to see if your visits may be fully covered by your insurance.
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Collaborative, honest, and straightforward. I am here to guide you through your feeding journey with evidence based strategies tailored to you and your baby.
