Occupational therapy (OT) is a health profession dedicated to helping individuals achieve independence, participation, and meaning in their daily activities—what we call "occupations."

You’ll often find occupational therapists supporting people through times of illness, injury, recovery, or major life transitions. In maternal and infant health, occupational therapists walk alongside individuals at one of life’s most profound thresholds: the transition into motherhood and parenthood.

Occupational therapy during the prenatal and postpartum period focuses on promoting function, healing, and confidence as you prepare for, welcome, and adjust to life with a new baby.

What makes maternal and perinatal health OTs unique is their dyadic approach—supporting both mother and infant together as an interconnected unit. Care is centered not only on physical recovery and infant development, but on the entire family’s well-being, daily rhythms, and bonding.

At Cocoon Occupational Therapy, we believe that nurturing the mother-baby dyad creates stronger foundations for both healing and growth.

Matrescence describes the profound physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual—and even cultural—transition into motherhood.

These transformations do not happen just once; they unfold with every child—each experience of becoming a mother brings new layers of growth and change.

Much like adolescence, matrescence is a critical developmental stage, marked by powerful shifts in identity, relationships, and daily life.

At Cocoon Occupational Therapy, we honor matrescence as a vital, meaningful journey—

The metaphor of the cocoon reflects this beautifully, where profound transformation occurs. Just as a butterfly is reshaped and strengthened within its cocoon before emerging into the world, so too does a mother evolve, heal, and grow through each chapter of motherhood.

Our mission is to hold that cocoon space for you—supporting your healing, your strength, and your emergence into this new season of life.

At Cocoon Occupational Therapy, we deeply value the expertise and important role of lactation consultants.

Our occupational therapy services are not meant to replace a lactation consultant, but to complement and strengthen your care team.

As an OT with additional training in lactation counseling, we can provide:

• Gentle bodywork techniques to support infant comfort and feeding posture

• Oral motor strengthening activities to enhance sucking, swallowing, and coordination

• Parent education on ergonomic feeding positions for pain reduction and better latch

Together with your lactation consultant, we focus on nurturing successful, comfortable feeding experiences—whether at the breast, bottle, or both.

At Cocoon, it’s never about choosing one kind of support—it’s about building a circle of care around you and your baby.

If you are already working with a birth or postpartum doula, you are off to a wonderful start!
Doulas offer invaluable emotional and practical support to guide you through the birth process and the early postpartum transition.

Occupational therapy complements this support by addressing the physical, mental, and developmental needs that arise during pre-conception, pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenting.

As healthcare professionals, occupational therapists are trained to:

• Support recovery from pain, fatigue, and surgical birth

• Teach ergonomics for safer, more comfortable infant care

• Address perinatal mental health concerns such as anxiety or emotional adjustment

• Guide infant feeding (breast, bottle, or combination) and developmental milestones

At Cocoon Occupational Therapy, we partner with you—and your existing support team—to nurture both your healing and your baby's growth, every step of the way.