Your Cart is Empty
In this episode, Rachel shares some honest reflections on pediatrician visits — what’s working, what could be improved, and what families truly need more of in those early appointments. This isn’t about criticizing pediatricians, but about opening up the conversation and advocating for better support for babies, kids, and their families.
Rachel walks through common phrases like “wait and see” or “they’ll grow out of it,” and why those approaches can sometimes delay important support. She shares personal experiences navigating concerns like torticollis, feeding, and development and highlights how early intervention, referrals, and education can make a significant difference.
The episode also dives into topics like starting solids, constipation and gut health, colic, and why many symptoms we see in babies are often signs of something deeper rather than something to dismiss. Throughout the conversation, Rachel emphasizes the importance of looking for root causes, supporting the nervous system, and understanding development from a whole-child perspective.
She also shares what she wishes pediatric visits included more of — like education on tummy time, crawling, primitive reflexes, messy play, nutrition, lactation support, and trusted referrals to specialists like OT, PT, and lactation consultants.
This episode is ultimately about empowering parents to ask questions, trust their instincts, and advocate for the support their child needs.
Thanks for listening 🩷
If this episode resonated, share it with a new or expecting parent who’s navigating those early pediatrician visits.
We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3
What To Ask Your Doctor Checklist
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
When you walk into a pediatrician’s office with your newborn, you’re often carrying more than just a diaper bag—you’re carrying questions, concerns, and a deep desire to do what’s best for your child. And while pediatricians play a critical role in your child’s health, many parents and therapists alike have noticed a gap: developmental and sensory guidance is often overlooked, simplified, or delayed with a “wait and see” approach.
Let’s talk about it. This article breaks down common concerns from a pediatric occupational therapy perspective—and more importantly, what families can do to feel empowered, informed, and supported from the very beginning.
Early childhood development is not just about milestones—it’s about building a strong neurological foundation.
Small challenges in infancy (like feeding difficulties, head positioning, or delayed movement) can create a cascade of effects over time if left unaddressed. Research consistently shows that early intervention leads to better outcomes in motor, sensory, and cognitive development (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023).
That means those “small things” truly matter.
Let’s start by acknowledging something important: pediatricians are doing their best with the training and time they have. However, their expertise is primarily medical—not always developmental, sensory, or functional.
Here are a few concerns that come up again and again:
Parents often hear:
“They’ll grow out of it.”
“Let’s just monitor it.”
While this can be appropriate in some cases, it can also delay critical support.
Why this matters:
Conditions like torticollis do not resolve on their own without intervention.
Delayed crawling, rolling, or speech can impact long-term development.
Early therapy (OT, PT, speech) is most effective when started sooner rather than later.
Early action is not overreacting—it’s preventative care.
Feeding is one of the earliest and most important sensory-motor experiences. Yet many families receive minimal support beyond basic recommendations.
Common gaps include:
Difficulty with latching.
Tongue ties, lip ties, or buccal ties being overlooked.
Lack of guidance on bottle or formula selection.
Why this matters:
Feeding challenges can impact:
Oral motor development.
Airway and palate formation.
Long-term breathing patterns (including mouth breathing).
A holistic, team-based approach—including lactation consultants and feeding therapists—can make a significant difference.
Some families are encouraged to start solids as early as 4 months. From a therapeutic standpoint, readiness matters more than age.
Signs your baby may be ready for solids:
Can sit independently.
Has good head and trunk control.
Shows interest in food.
Why positioning matters:
Proper posture supports safe swallowing.
Foot support increases stability and coordination.
Poor positioning can increase choking risk.
Think of it this way: if your feet were dangling while eating, you’d feel unstable too.
Examples include:
Using laxatives for constipation without investigating underlying causes.
Labeling a baby as “colicky” without deeper assessment.
Possible underlying contributors:
Sensory processing differences.
Postural control challenges.
Nutritional factors.
Gastrointestinal concerns.
When we only treat the symptom, we miss the opportunity for lasting change.
Many parents leave appointments feeling unheard. Comments like “that’s normal” can feel dismissive when your instincts say otherwise.
And here’s the truth: Parents are often the first to notice when something isn’t quite right. Your concerns deserve attention, explanation, and support.
Now let’s shift to solutions—because this is where real transformation happens.
Primitive reflexes are automatic movements that should integrate during infancy.
When they don’t, they can impact:
Coordination.
Attention.
Sensory processing.
Simple screenings could help identify red flags early and guide referrals.
Parents don’t just need information—they need to know what to do.
Examples of helpful guidance:
Tummy time strategies.
Rolling and crawling support.
Sensory play ideas.
Even simple handouts or checklists can empower parents to take action at home.
Therapy should not be a last resort—it should be a proactive support.
Early intervention services can:
Improve developmental outcomes.
Prevent compensatory patterns.
Support the entire family.
Play is not “just play”—it’s how children learn.
Pediatric visits could include guidance on:
Messy play for tactile development.
Movement activities for vestibular input.
Heavy work for regulation.
These are simple, powerful tools families can use every day.
Nutrition impacts everything—from behavior to sensory processing.
Families may benefit from guidance on:
Whole foods and balanced diets.
Digestive health.
When to explore further testing or specialist support.
Imagine if every new family was automatically connected with feeding support.
This could help address:
Latching difficulties.
Oral restrictions (like tongue ties).
Feeding confidence for parents.
Early support here can prevent a cascade of challenges later on.
This is not about criticism—it’s about collaboration. When pediatricians, therapists, and parents work together, children receive more comprehensive, well-rounded care.
And when parents are given tools, education, and validation? Everything changes.
You don’t have to wait for the system to change—you can take proactive steps today.
For Parents:
Trust your instincts.
Ask questions and request referrals.
Seek second opinions if needed.
Explore early intervention services.
For Therapists:
Educate families early and often.
Collaborate with pediatricians.
Provide simple, actionable home strategies.
If something feels off, it’s okay to ask more questions.
If you need more support, it’s okay to seek it out.
If your provider isn’t the right fit, it’s okay to find one who is.
Because small steps taken early can lead to life-changing outcomes.
The early years are full of opportunity. When we shift from “wait and see” to “notice and support,” we create a foundation for stronger development, better regulation, and more confident families.
And the best part? You don’t have to do it alone.
BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science & art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views & opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties & what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links & make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews & comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair & balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.
Comments will be approved before showing up.
