Strive Pediatrics

Strive Pediatrics Doctor Kennedy received her bachelor’s and clinical doctorate from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. She has practiced in top-ranked U.S.

We help babies & children improve their function through holistic Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy & Craniosacral Fascial Therapy (CFT) in Austin, Texas and surrounding areas. hospitals, including Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Children’s National Medical Center of Washington D.C., and other outpatient settings. Most of her career was spent treating fragile children in neonatal intensi

ve care units. Now Dr. Kennedy specializes in outpatient, in-home physical therapy, infant massage, and wellness. As a mother of two, she understands both the gifts and challenges of motherhood.

MYTH: “It’s fine if my baby only rolls one way.”Truth: Babies should learn to roll both directions — to the right and le...
05/05/2026

MYTH: “It’s fine if my baby only rolls one way.”

Truth: Babies should learn to roll both directions — to the right and left, from belly to back and back to belly.

Rolling is one of the first ways babies build strength, coordination, and body awareness, and symmetry matters.

If a baby consistently prefers one side, it may be a sign of:

• Muscle tightness or imbalance
• Core weakness
• Torticollis or head/neck preference
• Early reflex or postural differences

Over time, this can impact how babies sit, crawl, and move through future milestones.

✨ Why it matters:
Balanced movement helps the brain and body work together — supporting motor development, coordination, and overall function.

💡 Tip:
Encourage rolling toward the less-preferred side through:
✔️ Tummy time
✔️ Toy placement on the non-preferred side
✔️ Gentle, supported practice during play

At Strive Pediatrics, we take a whole-body approach to development — supporting how babies move, regulate, and grow.






MotorDevelopment
PediatricTherapy
InfantOT
InfantPT
Torticollis
ParentEducation
AustinParents
StrivePediatrics

NEW BLOG POST💡 The Role of Occupational Therapy in Breastfeeding: Supporting Mother + InfantDid you know breastfeeding i...
04/27/2026

NEW BLOG POST

💡 The Role of Occupational Therapy in Breastfeeding: Supporting Mother + Infant

Did you know breastfeeding is considered a co-occupation in occupational therapy? 🤱 That means it’s a shared experience—baby and parent working together physically, emotionally, and relationally.

Breastfeeding is more than milk transfer. It’s where babies develop:
👀 Visual attention
👅 Oral motor coordination (suck-swallow-breathe)
🫶 Bonding and co-regulation

✨ How OT supports breastfeeding:

• Latch + positioning for comfort and efficiency
• Oral motor skills (tongue, lips, jaw coordination)
• Sensory regulation for calmer, more organized feeds
• Posture + alignment (including tension or torticollis)
• Bodywork to address tension and mobility restrictions
• Reflux + digestion support through positioning and pacing
• Nervous system regulation and sleep support

🌿 Why it matters:
Feeding challenges aren’t just about intake—they reflect how the whole body is functioning. When babies are supported in their movement, regulation, and oral motor skills, feeding often becomes more efficient and less stressful for both baby and parent.

At Strive Pediatrics, we take a whole-infant approach—supporting how babies breathe, move, feed, and regulate so they can thrive. 💛

✨ Key Takeaways:
✔️ Feeding is a full-body, relational experience
✔️ Early support can improve comfort and coordination
✔️ Regulation is the foundation for feeding success

📌 Save this for later
👶 Share with a breastfeeding parent
💬 DM us “FEEDING” for support or resources
🔗 Read the full blog (link in bio)

📝 Written by: Dr. Marisa Milavetz

TongueTieSupport InfantDevelopment NewParentSupport HolisticPediatrics StrivePediatrics

Myth: "Babies will just grow out of feeding issues.”Truth: Some babies appear to improve… but many are actually compensa...
04/20/2026

Myth: "Babies will just grow out of feeding issues.”

Truth: Some babies appear to improve… but many are actually compensating, not resolving the underlying issue.

Feeding is a complex skill involving oral motor coordination, breathing, posture, and regulation.
When challenges aren’t addressed early, they can show up later as:

• Difficulty transitioning to solids or textures
• Ongoing feeding aversions or refusal
• Mealtime stress for both baby and parent
• Inefficient or tiring feeding patterns
• Continued reliance on compensations (jaw, cheeks, positioning)

Early support can make a big difference:

✔️ More efficient, coordinated feeding
✔️ Reduced stress at mealtimes
✔️ Improved oral motor skills
✔️ Better overall development and regulation

At Strive Pediatrics, we take a holistic approach to infant feeding, looking beyond intake to support how babies breathe, move, feed, and regulate.

If feeding feels stressful or something seems off, trust your instincts.
📌 Save this for later
👶 Share with a parent who needs support
💬 checkout strivepediatrics.com for free resources or schedule an evaluation — early support matters.





OralMotor
StartingSolids
BabyDevelopment
NewParentSupport
InfantOT
PediatricTherapy
TongueTieSupport
ParentEducation
AustinParents
StrivePediatrics

04/09/2026

We’re growing and looking for an incredible Occupational Therapist to join our team at Strive Pediatrics.

We have two opportunities:
✨ Full-Time OT (Round Rock/North Austin)
✨ PRN/Part-Time OT (Bee Cave/Lakeway)

At Strive, we do things differently.
We are a hands-on, collaborative, growth-driven pediatric practice focused on real outcomes for babies, children, and families.

If you are:
• Passionate about pediatrics (0-10 yrs) and want to spend more time with patients and less time on paperwork
• Looking for mentorship + growth
• Wanting flexibility without sacrificing clinical excellence
• A team player who values connection and collaboration and clinical excellence

We’d love to connect.

📩 Send your resume to [email protected]

or DM us to start the conversation

beecavetx pediatrictherapy OTjobs therapyjobs strivepediatrics

We’re growing and looking for an incredible Occupational Therapist to join our team at Strive Pediatrics.We have two opp...
04/08/2026

We’re growing and looking for an incredible Occupational Therapist to join our team at Strive Pediatrics.

We have two opportunities:
✨ Full-Time OT (Round Rock/North Austin)
✨ PRN/Part-Time OT (Bee Cave/Lakeway)

At Strive, we do things differently.
We are a hands-on, collaborative, growth-driven pediatric practice focused on real outcomes for babies, children, and families.

If you are:
• Passionate about pediatrics (0-10 yrs) and want to spend more time with patients and less time on paperwork
• Looking for mentorship + growth
• Wanting flexibility without sacrificing clinical excellence
• A team player who values connection and collaboration and clinical excellence

We’d love to connect.

📩 Send your resume to [email protected]

or DM us to start the conversation

beecavetx pediatrictherapy OTjobs therapyjobs strivepediatrics

Myth: "If baby is gaining weight, feeding is fine.”Truth: Weight gain is important — but it doesn’t tell the full story....
04/07/2026

Myth: "If baby is gaining weight, feeding is fine.”

Truth: Weight gain is important — but it doesn’t tell the full story.

From a feeding therapy perspective, we’re not just asking if a baby is eating… we’re looking closely at how they’re eating.

Some babies who are gaining weight may still be:
• Working too hard to feed
• Using their jaw or cheeks instead of their tongue efficiently
• Fatiguing quickly during feeds
• Showing signs of stress like arching, clicking, or pulling away

Over time, this can impact:

✨ Feeding efficiency
✨ Endurance
✨ Breathing + coordination
✨ Overall regulation

Feeding should feel coordinated, supported, and sustainable — not exhausting for baby or parent.

At Strive Pediatrics, we take a holistic approach to infant feeding, supporting breathing, oral motor skills, body tension, and regulation.

If something feels off, trust that instinct 🤍






OralMotor
FeedingTherapy
NewParentTips
InfantOT
PediatricTherapy
TongueTieSupport
ParentEducation
AustinParents
StrivePediatrics

🐣🌷 Happy Easter from Strive Pediatrics At Strive Pediatrics, we’re grateful to support families in helping their childre...
04/05/2026

🐣🌷 Happy Easter from Strive Pediatrics

At Strive Pediatrics, we’re grateful to support families in helping their children move, grow, and thrive every day.






InfantDevelopment
ToddlerLife
ParentingTips
FamilyMoments
MovementMatters
StrivePediatrics

MYTH: “Play doesn’t really impact development.”Truth: Play is how children build the foundation for learning, movement, ...
03/30/2026

MYTH: “Play doesn’t really impact development.”

Truth: Play is how children build the foundation for learning, movement, behavior, and regulation.

Play isn’t “extra” — it’s essential for healthy child development.

That simple activity on the floor? It’s supporting:

✔️ Fine motor skills (grasping, manipulating)
✔️ Gross motor development (strength, coordination)
✔️ Sensory processing & regulation
✔️ Motor planning & problem solving
✔️ Language and social skills
✔️ Emotional regulation & attention

Through play, the brain and body learn to work together — creating the building blocks for confidence, independence, and school readiness.

At Strive Pediatrics, we use play-based occupational and physical therapy to support how children move, regulate, learn, and thrive.

📌 Save this as a reminder that play is powerful
👶 Share with a parent who needs to hear this
💬 If your child struggles with play, movement, or regulation, DM us or schedule an evaluation — early support makes a difference.






PhysicalTherapyKids
SensoryProcessing
FineMotorSkills
GrossMotorSkills
MotorPlanning
ParentEducation
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AustinParents
StrivePediatrics

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2631 Gattis School Road 160 1
Round Rock, TX
78664

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