Riki Newman is a dedicated pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT) and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with a passion for supporting babies, children, and caregivers. She combines her expertise to help families reach their fullest potential, focusing on child development and infant feeding.

Riki earned her Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies, with a minor in Psychology, from Syracuse University, followed by a Master’s in Occupational Therapy from New York University in 2006. Her training included Level 2 fieldwork at New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, where she gained experience in acute care, pediatric ICU, and outpatient settings.

Riki launched her career at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Hospital, serving on the swallow team, acute care, inpatient rehab, and ICU. She advanced to become the neurology/neurosurgical OT clinical specialist and also contributed as a teaching assistant at Columbia University’s occupational therapy program.

A mother of two, Riki understands both the joys and challenges of motherhood and breastfeeding firsthand. Inspired by her personal and professional experiences, she now combines her skills in occupational therapy and lactation consulting to assist families with feeding—whether breast or bottle—and to promote optimal developmental outcomes.