Hi, my name is Haydee Medrano. I am an Occupational Therapist, specializing in maternal and infant health. I am also a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist.

A little about me.

I am a wife, toddler mom, and dog mom. I earned my Master’s of Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s University in Houston, Tx in 2014. I have a passion for all things occupational therapy. I truly love what I do and learning more about how occupational therapy can help in so many capacities.

Since becoming a mom, I found a gap in resources and education for maternal health, but also infant feeding and development. I found myself using my knowledge as an OT and pursing continuing education to support my motherhood journey. I became certified as a breastfeeding specialist in February 2023 and have speciality training in the TummyTime! Method and tethered oral tiasues (tongue, oral, buccal ties) and bodywork, massage and myofascial release.

I am so excited to be able to share my knowledge, help close the gap, and support your goals in mOTherhood and your baby’s feeding and development.

We offer a comprehensive WHOLE BODY approach to address infant concerns related to infant development and infant feeding, including breastfeeding, bottlefeeding, and transition to solids.

We support your infant’s developmental and feeding pathways by evaluating and addressing:
-tethered oral tissues (tongue tie)
-pre/post frenectomy therapy
-head preference or torticollis
-head shape concerns
-airway concerns (chronic congestion, breathing, open mouth posture, + more)
-oral motor skills
-reflex integration
-sensory/nervous system processing
-feeding therapy (latching, positioning, bottle selection, + more)

Parent & Baby Developmental Playgroup focused on play activities, learning about topics to support mom and baby wellness, and growing in community with other like minded parents!

This a seasonal series playgroup for expecting parents and parents and babies of 0-6 months!

Tummy Time! Method Trained

FALL 2024 SCHEDULE-FRIDAYS @ 11:15 AM
9/27 Developmental Milestones
10/25 Sensory Play + Halloween theme
11/15 Intro to Solids

Location: EMPOWER WELLNESS

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Mama & Baby Developmental Playgroup focused on play activities, learning about topics to support mom and baby wellness, and growing in community! Topics will include sitting, crawling, pulling to stand, and pre walking activities.

This a seasonal series playgroup for expecting parents and parents and babies of 6-12 months!

FALL 2024 SCHEDULE-FRIDAYS @ 10 AM
9/27 Sitting + Crawling Bootcamp
10/25 Sensory Play + Halloween Theme
11/5 Pulling to stand + Prewalking Bootcamp

Location: EMPOWER WELLNESS

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Occupational therapy is a holistic, evidenced based, and person centered practice that uses occupations, meaningful activities, as a therapeutic tool to help you participate in your daily activities!

A person might need OT for chronic illness, disability, or disease, but we can also promote health and wellness, especially for mom, baby, and family!

When you become a MOM, or parent, you begin engaging in co-occupations. Co-occupation is the act of two people performing an activity. The activities become a shared physical, emotional, and intentional task! If mom or baby are struggling with any occupation, due to physical, mental, or emotional, we won’t have a positive experience in co occupation. However, a successful co occupation can have positive impact on attachment!

My favorite co-occupation has been breastfeeding. We struggled right from the start and it truly took a toll on my physical and emotional state. We needed support! After figuring things out with professional help and using what I know as an OT, I was finally able to enjoy and have a successful co occupation of breastfeeding!

Let’s book a free consultation and see how I can help!

Occupational Balance as a Mother

Balancing motherhood, marriage, career, friendships, is a challenge faced by many mothers. About every 3-6 months, I feel a shift in my balancing act as a mother, as we enter a new season and new season of motherhood. Lately, I have been reviewing the concept of occupational balance professionally, but also as it applies to my motherhood journey. Occupational balance refers to the right amount of roles, responsibilities, and activities, and the right amount of variation between those. Knowing this and having awareness is crucial for mothers to maintain personal health and fulfillment.

Understanding Occupational Balance

Occupational balance involves juggling different roles and activities, ensuring that none are neglected or cause undue stress.
Often, the transition to motherhood can lead to a disruption of their occupational balance, with less participation in self care and rest, and more participation in productivity demands (caregiving and home management). Occupational balance for mothers, means finding harmony between parenting duties, professional responsibilities, and personal needs.

Achieving this balance can lead to improved mental health, reduced stress, and a greater sense of accomplishment.

Your occupational balance in motherhood more than likely will change from season to season of life. Try checking in with yourself every 2-3 months (or sooner if needed) to re assess YOURS and your families needs.

Strategies for Achieving Occupational Balance

1. Set Realistic Goals and Priorities
Identify what truly matters to you. Set achievable goals and prioritize tasks that align with your values and long-term objectives. Avoid overcommitting by learning to SAY NO to activities that don’t align with your priorities.

2. Create a Flexible Schedule
Flexibility is key in balancing work and motherhood. Create a schedule that accommodates the unpredictable nature of parenting. Consider flexible work arrangements, such as remote work or adjustable hours, to better manage your time.

3. Delegate and Share Responsibilities
Don’t hesitate to delegate tasks at home and work. Share responsibilities with your partner, family members, or colleagues. Consider hiring help for household chores or childcare can also ease the burden and free up time for other activities.

4. Embrace Self-Care
Prioritize self-care to maintain your physical and mental health. This can include exercise, hobbies, or simply taking time to relax. Reframing self care tasks can help initiate our participation. Regular self-care helps recharge your energy and improves your ability to handle multiple responsibilities.

5. Stay Organized
Use tools like planners, calendars, and apps to stay organized and keep track of your commitments. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

6. Seek Support Networks
Connect with other mothers who understand the challenges you face. Support groups, both online and offline, can provide valuable advice and encouragement. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family when needed.

7. Maintain Open Communication Keep open lines of communication with your employer, partner, and children. Discuss your needs and any challenges you face in balancing your roles.

Achieving occupational balance as a mother is a dynamic and ongoing process. Remember, finding balance is not about perfection but about making intentional choices that lead to a fulfilling life.

“The classes were great for helping me understand how to purposefully play with my baby. I enjoyed learning different types of play that would enhance her development. It was also nice to have questions answered and tips and tricks suggested specifically for my baby. “
-Megan, PLAY LEARN GROW

“I‘ve worked with Haydee in multiple occassions. All the activities and toys she recommended tremendously helped me learn how to purposefully play with my daughter to help support her growth. Haydee has also been a valuable resource for my breastfeeding journey. I think any mom would benefit from working with her.” -Deisy

“At a week postpartum, I began working with an IBCLC & Haydee for help with breast feeding my newborn. I had no idea what I was doing or why my baby wasn’t able to latch. Within our first visit, Haydee discovered a tongue tie restriction leading to oral motor dysfunction. In conjunction with the IBCLC, they quickly discussed treatment and guided me on the right path to getting my baby latched. Without Haydee’s knowledge of oral restrictions and their treatment course, I would not have been successful in my breastfeeding journey. Because of Haydee’s expertise and knowledge, we are currently 8 months breastfeeding and going strong! I’m so thankful to have had her involved in my postpartum care & I would choose her 100x more times!”-Chelsie