Erika Higginbottom MS, OTR/L

Erika is a registered and licensed occupational therapist who specializes in infant feeding, development, and sensory processing. She received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Regis College in Weston, MA and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Brandeis University. Erika has a diverse background working with infants, children, and teens in school-based settings, early intervention, and private practice. Erika has trainings in tethered oral tissues (tongue/lip/buccal ties), pre- and post-frenectomy therapy, the Tummy Time! Method, infant pelvic floor, Upledger Craniosacral Therapy, visual-vestibular techniques, reflex integration, infant feeding (breast and bottle), rhythmic movements, oral motor skills, sensory integration, autonomic nervous system regulation, and more.

Erika brings an evidence-informed, holistic approach to tongue-ties and feeding. She strongly values interprofessional collaboration. 

Erika began studying infant feeding after experiencing feeding difficulties with her own child. She found that the tongue tie release did not magically cure the feeding difficulties she and her son were experiencing. It was confusing to navigate the tongue tie world, even with experience in feeding therapy. Erika sought to understand feeding and development at a deeper level to support other families and provide them with better continuity of care. Too often, parents have their concerns dismissed, but parents and infants deserve support for common issues if they are impacting the family’s daily life. Erika helps families with infants experiencing feeding difficulties, colic, nervous system regulation, oral dysfunction, pelvic floor difficulties including constipation, tongue tie, torticollis, head flattening (plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, scaphocephaly), delayed or atypical motor development, sleep disruption, sensory processing issues, sensitivities to movement and more. Erika also has experience with premature infants and infants with diagnoses like Trisomy 21. 

Erika lives on the North Shore with her two children, Jordan and Lila.

She is a level I Reiki practitioner.

Learn more at: otbymommy.com 

Fun Fact: Erika loves Boston sports and went the first ever game at Gillette stadium when she was a child.