Foundations of Infant Bodywork Level 1 : Supporting Feeding and Mobility in Pediatric Care

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5-star rating from 100% of participants

Date: Saturday, September 27th, 2025
Time: 10am - 5pm
Location: Blueberry Therapy, 14 Cross St. Dundas ON, L9H 2R4

Course Description:

This foundational 6-hour course is designed for healthcare professionals who want to develop skills in assessing structural restrictions and mobility challenges in newborns and young infants (0-3 months). Taught by Laura Doyle, who brings unique dual expertise as both a Pediatric Physiotherapist and IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), this comprehensive training explores the musculoskeletal and structural aspects of early infant development.

Participants will learn to identify tethered oral tissues (TOTs), assess muscular tension patterns, and understand how structural restrictions may impact overall infant function. Crucially, this course emphasizes scope of practice boundaries and collaborative care models, ensuring all professionals work within their regulatory guidelines while optimizing outcomes through interprofessional teamwork.

What Participants Are Saying:

"This course was one of the best I have taken in a long time/ever. It was so practical, right to the clinical problems and solutions. Laura is a fantastic educator."
- Dr. Ashley Barker

"Best course I have taken actually. Very welcoming clinic, instructor was amazing!"
- Erica Kehoe

"I loved how practical the information was - I feel what I've learned can be implemented tomorrow!"
- Deidra McDermid

"Laura is brilliant! So excited I had the opportunity to learn from her!"
- Dr. Sarah McAteer

Key Learning Areas:

Structural Assessment Within Professional Scope

• Anatomy and physiology of oral and neck structures (0-3 months)
• Tongue range of motion and mobility assessment techniques
• Identification of tethered oral tissues and their structural implications
• Muscular tension patterns and postural assessment
• Early gross motor milestone evaluation

Manual Techniques & Interventions

• Gentle mobilization techniques for oral and neck structures
• Range of motion strategies for tongue and oral tissues
• Torticollis assessment and treatment approaches
• Parent education for structural mobility maintenance
• Integration of oral structure work with musculoskeletal interventions

Professional Scope & Collaborative Care

• Scope of practice boundaries for each profession represented
• When and how to collaborate vs. refer to other professionals
• Documentation strategies that respect professional boundaries
• Building effective interprofessional relationships
• Communication protocols for shared care situations

Clinical Application

• Case study analysis through scope-appropriate lens
• Creating treatment plans within professional boundaries
• Parent education strategies for structural support
• Recognizing red flags requiring immediate referral

Laura's Unique Dual Perspective:

Laura Doyle's rare combination of credentials as both a Pediatric Physiotherapist and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) provides participants with invaluable insights into how structural restrictions may impact overall infant function. Her dual training allows her to demonstrate assessment techniques while clearly delineating scope boundaries and collaborative care requirements for each profession.

This unique perspective helps participants understand not just what they can assess and treat within their own scope, but also how their work integrates with other professionals to provide comprehensive care.

What You'll Experience:

✅ Live Demonstrations with Clear Scope Commentary - Watch Laura assess structural aspects of real infants while explicitly discussing professional boundaries
✅ Hands-On Skill Development - Practice assessment and treatment techniques appropriate to your professional scope
✅ Scope of Practice Training - Learn to navigate professional boundaries and collaborative care requirements
✅ Interprofessional Communication Skills - Develop language and protocols for effective collaboration
✅ Evidence-Based Structural Assessment - Current research applied to musculoskeletal and structural evaluation
✅ Comprehensive Take-Home Resources - Materials supporting scope-appropriate practice

Target Audience & Scope Considerations:

This course welcomes multiple healthcare professions, with content adapted to respect each profession's scope:

• Pediatric Physiotherapists - Focus on musculoskeletal assessment, ROM, structural mobility
• Chiropractors - Structural assessment and manual therapy applications
• International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) - Integration of structural findings with feeding assessment
• Registered Nurses in maternal/pediatric care - Structural screening and appropriate referral protocols
• Other healthcare professionals - Scope-appropriate structural assessment

Important: Course content emphasizes working within professional regulatory guidelines and establishing collaborative care relationships for optimal patient outcomes.

Collaborative Care Foundation:

This course establishes the groundwork for effective interprofessional collaboration by teaching participants how structural restrictions may impact various aspects of infant function, while maintaining clear boundaries about which professional addresses which concerns. You'll learn when to collaborate, when to refer, and how to communicate effectively with other members of the healthcare team.