Riki Newman is a pediatric occupational therapist and a certified lactation counselor. She has a passion for working with babies to help them strive to reach their highest potential. Riki became a certified lactation counselor because she has a passion for helping families on their breastfeeding journey. Riki’s occupational therapy skills are a perfect match for lactation. Riki has training in anatomical issues that can impede breastfeeding (ie. tongue ties, high palate, high/low muscle tone, and torticollis).

Riki has also received training in the following:

* Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT)
* Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)
* Tethered Oral Tissue Assessment and Remediation
* Sensory Integration
* Reflex Integration
* Handwriting without Tears
* DIR Floortime

Riki attended Syracuse University and majored in Child & Family Studies with a minor in Psychology. Then received her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from New York University in 2006. Riki successfully completed her level II fieldwork at New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s hospital where she saw patients in acute care, pediatric ICU, and outpatient. She began her career at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell where she worked on the swallow team, acute care, inpatient rehab, and ICU. She also was a teacher’s assistant at Columbia University’s Occupational Therapy program.

Commonly treated conditions and issues:

• Management of tethered oral tissue pre and post repair (tongue, lip, and buccal ties)
• Torticollis
• High and low muscle tone
• Plagiocephaly (head flattening)
• Lactation issues
• Developmental delays
• Sensory processing disorders
• Fine motor weakness and handwriting difficulties