Are you a tired, anxious parent trying to figure out feeding, reflux, breastfeeding, or “gut stuff” with your baby… while the medical system tells you to just wait and see? 🍼😩

In this episode of The Authentic SLP, Nicole sits down with Jamie Perez, MS, CCC-SLP, pediatric feeding therapist, lactation counselor, and owner of Thriving Joy Pediatric Therapy. Jamie shares her journey from wedding planner to NICU/hospital-based SLP, and how seeing fragile, overwhelmed moms in the hospital led her to start a private practice that truly honors families’ choices.

Together we talk about:

• The huge disconnect between hospital life and real life for medically complex babies
• Why so many moms feel judged or pressured into black-and-white, fear-based recommendations
• Breastfeeding vs. bottles, elimination diets, and why “just stop breastfeeding” isn’t always the answer
• The impact of social media, anxiety, and information overload on new moms
• How dietitians, OTs, PTs, chiropractors, craniosacral therapists, GI, and SLPs can actually work as a team
• Why finding your village and your providers BEFORE baby arrives is one of the best things you can do
• The difference between “just more referrals” and truly collaborative care for kids with feeding challenges

⏱️ Episode Chapters

00:00 – Intro & welcome to The Authentic SLP
00:10 – Jamie’s journey: wedding planner ➜ pediatric SLP ➜ Thriving Joy
02:21 – How NICU & hospital work shaped her philosophy on feeding therapy
05:20 – Nicole shares her own anxious mom/hospital story
05:57 – Social media, fear-based messaging & overwhelmed moms
07:54 – The breastfeeding story that “broke” Jamie in the hospital
09:32 – Working with dietitians & moving beyond “eliminate everything” advice
11:12 – Insurance, Medicaid & practicing in (or outside of) the system
13:31 – Building a collaborative team: PT, OT, chiropractors, GI, dentists, craniosacral, etc.
18:08 – Why provider background and training matter (not all credentials = same care)
23:25 – Who Jamie serves, her niche, and what she refers out
26:27 – Feeding disorders, ARFID & why mental health support is crucial
31:48 – The 10-minute phone call that caught EOE (and why referrals matter)
35:13 – What makes Thriving Joy different & the reality of complex medical kids
38:24 – “They’ll grow out of it” vs. early infant support & gut health
39:32 – The gut, anxiety, and long-term development
43:43 – What Jamie is most proud of as a mom & business owner
44:14 – Jamie’s top 3 pieces of advice for new/expectant parents
52:31 – How to find Jamie & Thriving Joy Pediatric Therapy

🔎 Connect with Jamie / Thriving Joy Pediatric Therapy
📍 Thriving Joy Pediatric Therapy, Lactation, Feeding & Speech
👶 Serving: Birth–elementary school (feeding, lactation, speech) in Lutz, FL & surrounding Pasco / North Hillsborough
🌐 Website: https://www.thrivingjoy.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivingjoytherapy