@optformama 9/10/25 @optformama 9/10/25

5 Simple Ways to Support Your Immune System This Fall

As the weather cools and the days get shorter, it's natural for our bodies to feel a little more vulnerable. Fall is beautiful, but it's also the season when colds, flu, and other bugs start circulating. Instead of waiting until you feel run down, this is the perfect time to be proactive and give your immune system some extra love.

In functional medicine, we know that your immune system is deeply interconnected with your gut health, sleep quality, stress resilience, and the nutrients you're feeding your body. Small, intentional daily practices can make a big difference in how resilient you feel. From prioritizing restful sleep with the 3-2-1 rule to nourishing your body with immune-supportive foods and managing daily stress, these five simple strategies will help you build a strong internal environment so your body is ready to handle whatever comes its way this season.

@optformama 5/23/25 @optformama 5/23/25

A Dad's Birth Prep Guide: 6 Essential Steps That Actually Matter

Let's face it, most Dads won't start packing until Mom's water breaks. But, your support and preparation matter way more than you think. Here are 6 prep steps that actually made a difference when “B-day” arrived for this Dad.

@optformama 5/19/25 @optformama 5/19/25

The Hidden Connection: How Breastfeeding Shapes Your Baby's Movement Milestones

What if I told you breastfeeding is actually your baby's first motor milestone? As a pediatric OT, I've seen how feeding challenges cascade into movement difficulties. The developmental journey is like a pyramid—with breastfeeding as its foundation, supporting tummy time, rolling, sitting, and beyond. Understanding this connection is why addressing early feeding issues leads to better outcomes in all milestone achievements.

@optformama 4/25/25 @optformama 4/25/25

Virtual Pelvic Floor PT: The Time-Saving Solution for Busy Moms

Virtual pelvic floor physical therapy eliminates the barriers of traditional care, allowing you to receive expert treatment without leaving your home. No need to find childcare, battle traffic, or spend precious time in waiting rooms—just dedicated, one-on-one therapy time with a specialist who understands your unique needs. While in-person waitlists stretch for weeks or months, virtual consultations provide timely intervention when it matters most for pregnancy discomforts and postpartum recovery.

@optformama 4/22/25 @optformama 4/22/25

Prioritizing Birth Preparation Over Aesthetics & A Picture-Perfect Nursery:

While we're busy selecting the perfect shade of wall paint, are we neglecting something far more important: preparing our bodies and minds for the actual birth process? The United States has alarming statistics when it comes to maternal health, yet many expectant mothers spend significantly more time designing nurseries than learning about labor positions, pain management techniques, or pelvic floor exercises. Your birth journey deserves as much attention as your nursery - if not more.

@optformama 3/28/25 @optformama 3/28/25

Feeding Your Baby's Senses: Essential Nutrition for Sensory Development in the First 20 Weeks

@optformama 3/28/25 @optformama 3/28/25

Beyond Crackers: Evidence-Based Approaches to Morning Sickness Relief

Struggling with morning sickness? Forget the basic crackers advice—our functional medicine approach offers evidence-based relief strategies that actually work. Discover how protein-rich mini meals, strategic hydration, and specific nutrients can significantly reduce nausea during pregnancy. Our expert-developed system combines nutritional science with practical lifestyle modifications to help you navigate this challenging pregnancy symptom with confidence and comfort.

@optformama 3/28/25 @optformama 3/28/25

1st Trimester: Pregnancy-Safe Core Exercises

The first trimester is generally a safe time to continue exercising without major modifications. In fact, it's the perfect opportunity to strengthen your deep core connection that will support you throughout your entire pregnancy journey. The following exercises are not only safe during the first trimester, but are great exercises to promote core strength to support your pelvic floor…

@optformama 3/10/25 @optformama 3/10/25

Surprising Benefits of Tummy Time at Every Age

Most parents know tummy time helps babies develop neck strength, but did you know the same position that prevents flat spots in infants can also reverse 'tech neck' in adults? This simple prone positioning exercise remains beneficial throughout the entire lifespan—counteracting our sedentary, forward-hunched lifestyle by relieving chronic back pain, rebalancing muscles, and restoring natural movement patterns. Discover why everyone in your family, from your baby to yourself, should incorporate some form of 'tummy time' into their daily routine...

@optformama 1/28/25 @optformama 1/28/25

Partner Co-Regulation

Partner co-regulation tips and tricks from our Functional Medicine practitioner to help your relationship thrive in the postpartum period.

@optformama 1/7/25 @optformama 1/7/25

Optimizing Weeks 0-2 Postpartum

Top advice for the first two weeks postpartum from our Pelvic Health Physical Therapist, Functional Medicine Practitioner and Infant Developmental Therapist.

Rachel Heidling 12/9/24 Rachel Heidling 12/9/24

Why Crawling Matters: 5 Critical Development Benefits the CDC Overlooked

Crawling is a major milestone. It significantly impacts the following 5 areas of development:

Grip strength and development of the arches of the hand: this impact on fine motor skill leads to improved strength and dexterity, which is required for writing, cutting, buttoning, and zipping as your little grows.
Visual tracking skill: a foundational skill for reading and writing. Similarly, as babies reach and grasp while crawling around, they are integrating and bettering their visual-motor systems, or what is more commonly called “hand-eye coordination”.