Kristin Horwath & Jennifer Ainsworth – Nurturing Connections: Exploring the Mouth-Body Connection in Developing Infants

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Exploring the Essential Features of “Kristin Horwath & Jennifer Ainsworth – Nurturing Connections: Exploring the Mouth-Body Connection in Developing Infants”

Speakers:Kristin Horwath, PT, DPT, CNT, NTMTC |  Jennifer Ainsworth, OTR/NTMTC

Duration:2 Hours 02 Minutes

Format:Audio and Video

Copyright:Feb 09, 2024  

Media Type: Digital Seminar

Description

Join us for an enlightening session that delves into the fascinating world of the mouth-body connection in developing infants.  We will explore the crucial role of oral motor skills, sensory experiences, and early feeding behaviors in an infant’s overall development. We will explore evidence-based strategies and techniques to support infants’ development. 

Speakers

Kristin Horwath, PT, DPT, CNT, NTMTC

Kristin Horwath, PT, DPT, CNT, NTMTC, is a pediatric physical therapist, certified neonatal therapist, and Neonatal Touch and Massage certified. Kristin has worked in a variety of settings including acute care, outpatient pediatric rehabilitation, and NICU. Kristin’s work in the NICU centered around leading program development on cranial molding, advocating and educating staff on the role of rehab in the NICU from admission to discharge, and collaborating on the development of the chronic BPD unit within the NICU, advocating for the tiniest patients that lived in the NICU for weeks to months. She presented and advocated for developmentally appropriate care in the NICU, involving a multidisciplinary approach and team effort promoting more optimal developmental outcomes. Kristin specializes in treating infants and has a passion for treating babies with a proactive approach, promoting optimal gross motor skills through intentional positioning and handling and prevention and treatment of torticollis, plagiocephaly, and body compensations associated with feeding difficulties.

Speaker Disclosures:

Financial: Kristin Horwath is the co-founder of Balanced Baby. She has intellectual property rights with Honeywell. Kristin Horwath receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. All relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations have been mitigated.
Non-financial: Kristin Horwath is a member of the National Association of Neonatal Therapists. She has a professional relationship with the Neonatal Touch and Massage, the National Association of Neonatal Therapists, and the Dandlelion Medical.

Jennifer Ainsworth, OTR/NTMTC
 
Jennifer Ainsworth, OTR/L, NTMTC, is a pediatric occupational therapist and Neonatal Touch and Massage certified. Jenn has cared for patients in a variety of settings throughout her career, including outpatient pediatric rehabilitation, inpatient rehabilitation and the NICU. Jenn specializes in pre-feeding, initiating po feeds and progressing through the stages of feeding with emphasis on providing education on feeding and development to moms. She has extensive training and experience in feeding difficulties from neonates through childhood. Jenn has attended neurodevelopmental treatment courses for handling and facilitation of typical motor patterns and makes the connection as to how motor patterns relate to successful feeding experience for both mom and infants. She strongly believes in the power of intentional touch and believes that feeding is best when worked on from the foundation of movement patterns and the innate developmental sucking pattern as it relates to feeding. She is passionate about empowering and educating moms so they can enjoy each stage of motherhood!

Speaker Disclosures:

Financial: Jennifer Ainsworth is the co-founder and lead occupational therapist of Balanced Baby. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Jennifer Ainsworth has no relevant non-financial relationships.

Objectives

1. Implement intentional therapeutic touch into their daily sessions, as well as educate and empower caregivers. 
2. Implement early positioning with regards to the long-term impact on developmental feeding and ongoing craniofacial development. 
3. Analyze and advocate for the foundational skills needed prior to bottle or breast introduction. 

Outline

Sucking Reflex 

• Begins in utero 
• After birth at term…coordinated suck-swallow-breathe reflex 
• Interruption in sequence in premature birth 
• Reflexes and movement patterns…influenced by environmental, physiological, neurological, and behavioral factors. 

Posture and Mobility 

• Affect feeding patterns and impact a baby’s posture and mobility 
• Function of the mouth and body are inextricably linked 
• Understanding this connection and avoid treating either aspect in isolation 

Neonatal Movement Patterns 

• Foundation in the development of the baby’s oral motor skills 
• Subsequent feeding progression and feeding journey beyond the NICU 
• Best practices in caring for premature infants include intentional touch and handling 
• Optimal base for oral motor and respiratory patterns 
• Functional movement patterns and positioning for optimal development 

Target Audience

• Occupational Therapists
• Occupational Therapy Assistants
• Pediatric Nurses
• Educators
• Dietitians
• Case Managers
• Nurse Practitioners

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