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Episode 072. Infant Bodywork: Craniosacral Therapy (& More!) with Austin Rees, LMT, IBCLC

Episode 072

If you have a baby, are expecting a baby, or just want to understand what bodywork and craniosacral therapy is—is episode is for you!

Austin Rees is back on the show to share her wisdom with us. She was here for Episode 026 talking from the mom perspective about education reform and self-directed education…and now she is here to share all of the info from a professional standpoint as someone who specializes in craniosacral therapy, lactation, babywearing, tummy time, and reiki. I’ll link to all her wondering offerings available through her website www.nourishandalign.com.

Austin’s Bio: Austin Rees (she/her) has been engaged in the health field for over 20 years. She began researching pregnancy, childbirth, and lactation through independent studies when she was completing her degree in biology at Hollins University. Following graduation, she enrolled in the Lotus School of Integrated Professions’ Massage Therapy Program from which she became a Licensed Massage Therapist. Austin began assisting parents with breast/chestfeeding support in 2005 as an accredited La Leche League Leader. Eventually she became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in 2011 and a Certified Babywearing Consultant through the Center for Babywearing Studies in 2013. Since 2015, she has trained and become a Certified TummyTime! Method Professional, a Reiki Master Practitioner, and a Tethered Oral Tissue (TOT) Trained Professional. As an IBCLC, Austin often saw families struggling with the symptoms caused by tethered oral tissue (TOT): A restriction in the mouth caused by a tongue, lip, or buccal ties. Such restrictions have been responsible for many latching difficulties including pain and low supply. When paired with a frenotomy: tongue tie release, Austin saw firsthand how Craniosacral Therapy (CST) contributed to improvements in latch, comfort at the breast, and changes in the infant’s tongue and jaw movement. Through continuing education in tongue tie release habilitation, it became evidently clear and a natural next step for her to combine her massage therapy and lactation backgrounds and become a Craniosacral Therapy Practitioner. She specializes in pre and post frenotomy (tongue/lip tie release) bodywork for infants using an individualized approach for each client and family. Austin is a mother to four children and is married to an army veteran. The Rees family chose to move to Baltimore, Maryland in 2015 when her husband retired from the military. Immediately, they felt at home and are dedicated to volunteer in local organizations that strengthen the Baltimore community.

You know how it goes…we set out to talk about infant craniosacral therapy (what it is, how it helps, who it is appropriate for) and went on to talk about other types of infant bodywork, tummy time, tongue tie, fussiness while riding in the car (information I wish I would have known years ago!), finding the right practitioner, trust, community, all the things.

In this episode, Austin and talk about:

  • What is craniosacral therapy?
  • Postpartum time
  • What craniosacral therapy does
  • How craniosacral therapy works
  • Why parents seek out craniosacral therapy for baby
  • Fussiness in the car
  • Feeding and breastfeeding issues
  • How and when a baby’s center of gravity moves
  • How long a craniosacral session takes
  • Reiki
  • Reflexology
  • Physical therapy for infants
  • Occupational therapy for infants
  • Fussiness in the car
  • Tongue tie
  • Babywearing
  • Infant massage
  • The importance of connection and trust with a practitioner
  • Pediatric dentistry
  • Prepping for baby
  • Optimal timing
  • Growing pains
  • Tummy time method

Austin’s Links: Website, Facebook, and Instagram

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SPONSORS

Primally Pure: Thanks for Primally Pure for supporting today’s episode. Primally Pure, is one of my favorite companies. They excel at creating safe, natural skin care products made with quality ingredients. Primally Pure has become my go-to brand for clean, non-toxic face cleaners, creams, and serums. They’re also the makers of my favorite all-natural (& effective!) deodorant. (I love their blue tansy one). They’ve generously offered a discount code for listeners: be sure to use the code: LORIBETH10 for 10% OFF your first order. For my personal review of their products, head over to www.elevatingmotherhood.com/primallypure

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LINKS

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