little tpOTs, LLC
Riki Newman OTR/L, CLC
Hello, I’m Riki Newman and I’m a Pediatric Occupational Therapist and a Certified Lactation Counselor. I have a passion for working with babies, children, and caregivers to help them strive to reach their highest potential.
My occupational therapy skills are a perfect match for lactation and bottle difficulties. I have training in anatomical issues that can impede breastfeeding (ie. tongue ties, high palate, high/low muscle tone, and torticollis). I believe feeding is a whole body activity and tension needs to be resolved to improve movement issues, dysregulation, sensory processing, reflux, airway symptoms, etc.
Other areas of training include:
• Tummy Time Method!
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Beckman Oral Motor
• Talk Tools TOTs training
• Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT)
• Upldger CranialSacral Therapy
• Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)
• Infant Massage
• Reflex Integration
• Sensory Integration
• Handwriting without Tears
• DIR Floortime
I attended Syracuse University and majored in Child & Family Studies with a minor in Psychology. Then received my Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from New York University in 2006. I successfully completed my level II fieldwork at New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s hospital where I saw patients in acute care, pediatric ICU, and outpatient. My career began at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell where I worked on the swallow team, acute care, inpatient rehab, and ICU. I became the neurology/neurosurgical OT clinical specialist. I was a teacher’s assistant at Columbia University’s Occupational Therapy program.
Commonly Treated Conditions and Issues
*Management of Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs) pre and post tongue tie release (tongue, lip, and cheek)
*Torticollis
*Plagiocephaly (head flattening)
*High and low muscle tone
*Nervous system dysregulation and sensory processing disorders
* Developmental delays
*Lactation and infant feeding issues
*Fine motor weakness and handwriting issues
*Tummy Time troubles
*Oral Motor Therapy
In home sessions
Each session is in the comfort of your home which allows baby to be seen in their environment. I see client’s in Westfield, NJ and surroundings towns (travel fee for towns outside of a certain radius).
Group sessions
I offer various groups that review therapeutic tummy time, infant development, prenatal care, and lactation support. The benefits of groups build community and help parents gain confidence. Reach out if you have a group and would like to schedule in your home or have a space in the community.
Client Reviews
Testimonials
"Riki from Little TPOTs helped my daughter an immense amount. Connected by our pediatric dentist post frenectomy for body work, Riki was knowledgeable and caring. She jumped right in with a myriad of suggestions and helped us see changes within the first week. Riki was an invaluable resource and integral in helping my daughter thrive."
"Riki is amazing. She has helped my son immensely with body tension, reaching milestones, and with oral work pre and post frenectomy (she also referred us to the Dr. that performed my son's lip and tongue tie release). In addition to her being a very skilled pediatric OT, she is also a very kind and empathetic person. I am so incredibly grateful to have worked with her, and will not hesitate to reach back out in the future for any additional help that may be needed."
In Home Visits
Get in touch to book a consultation and/or group, or leave me a message about anything else and I’ll get back to you.
Riki Newman is fully vaccinated (plus booster) and takes Covid 19 precautions throughout the sessions
(917)647-8185
FAQs
How can occupational therapy help my baby or child?
Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession that uses assessment and intervention to develop, recover, or maintain the meaningful activities, or occupations. A baby or child’s occupation is feeding or play. This is accomplished with therapeutic handling, therapeutic activities, neuromuscular re-education, sensory integration, and more.
What are Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs)?
Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) is “an embryological remnant of tissue in the midline undersurface of the tongue and floor of the mouth that restricts normal tongue movement.” This is the definition from the International Affiliation of Tongue-Tie Professionals. Most people have a frenum (fascia that connects the tongue with the floor of the mouth) which is normal, however, if it is restrictive and impairing function then treatment is beneficial. This is why a full functional oral motor assessment is beneficial to assess: palate, resting mouth posture, tongue range of motion, muscle tone, tension and taking note of baby’s and caregiver’s symptoms.
Lip tie is the band of tissue that attaches the upper lip to the the gums. When the upper lip is restrictive it can cause functional impairments.
Buccal ties (cheek) are less researched but can cause some tightness in the upper cheeks and contribute to nursing issues.
What are symptoms of TOTs?
Baby symptoms
Poor latch (breast or bottle)
Falls asleep with feeding
Slides on/off the nipple when feeding
Cries often/fussy
Reflux symptoms
Spits up often
Clicking noises when feeding
Gagging or choking when feeding
Gassy burps and toots
Poor weight gain
Biting/Chewing the nipple
Pacifier easily falls out
Milk dribbles out of the mouth when eating
Short sleeping
Mouth breathing, snoring, noisy breathing
Congested nose
Milk coming out if the nose
Frustration at the breast or bottle
More than 20 minutes per feeding after newborn period
Eating more frequently than every 2-3 hours
Mother’s symptoms
Painful nursing
Poor latch
Cracked, creased, flattened nipples
Bleeding nipples
Lipstick shaped nipples
Poor breast drainage
Plugged ducts, engorgement, mastitis
Nipple thrush
Using a nipple shield
Feeling like feeding the baby is a full time job
*taken from “Tongue Tied” by Richard Baxter
What do sessions look like?
The evaluation includes a full intake of baby and caregiver symptoms. Then their will be a full oral motor exam, observation of breast or bottle, and whole body assessment. At the end of the assessment, findings will be discussed. Parents will be given a treatment plan depending on findings. The evaluation is typically 90-120 minutes. Depending on needs, follow-up sessions can include oral motor therapy, bodywork, development of milestones, and are 50-60 minutes.
Have a question I didn’t answer here? Please contact me and I’ll be happy to help.