OT and Lactation Consultant (CBS)
Natalie Schroeder, O.T. Reg (MB)
School has never been my strength, but I knew I needed to pursue education to support the work life balance I wanted when I had a family one day. I started my undergrad in Physical Education, as I have a passion for understanding the body and how it works. After exploring my options, I ended up graduating from Occupational Therapy in 2018. I love how it makes me think outside the box and uses my observational skills so well. I have always loved working with children, and it became such a wonderful fit! School has never been my strength, but I knew I needed to pursue education to support the work life balance I wanted when I had a family one day. I started my undergrad in Physical Education, as I have a passion for understanding the body and how it works. After exploring my options, I ended up graduating from Occupational Therapy in 2018. I love how it makes me think outside the box and uses my observational skills so well. I have always loved working with children, and it became such a wonderful fit!
ABOUT ME - School has never been my strength, but I knew I needed to pursue education to support the work life balance I wanted for my future family. I started by completing my Bachelor of Physical Education; as the body, movement, and how they come together fascinates me. After exploring my options, I decided teaching in the typical gym environment was not for me. I used my appreciation for the body to pursue my Masters of Occupational Therapy in 2018. I love how it puts the body (person), functional movement (daily tasks – occupations), and the environment together. Finding the right fit for each individual or child can make for very challenging, but very rewarding moments!
A CHANGE IN OT FOCUS - After having my first daughter during a pandemic, I saw so many new mothers have such limited access to services in such a critical and overwhelming time. I was fortunate enough to receive midwifery services, and the postpartum support and guidance was beyond amazing! I wanted others to receive that same support and care during the perinatal season. There began my desire to seek out education in breastfeeding support, and put my love of babies, positioning, and supporting others all together!
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EDUCATION - My long term goal is to pursue the International Board Certified Lactation Consult (IBCLC) certification. Until then, I have added to my lactation training and occupational therapy knowledge by educating myself in:
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Typical developmental patterns
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Sensory processing in infants and children
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Tongue tie assessment, alternative breastfeeding strategies, and anticipatory steps to support release.
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Awareness of maternal mental health and additional clinical supports available
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Additional professional development to support my skills in neurodiversity, sensory processing, play based learning, etc.
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MOTHERHOOD - Growing up, I was so excited to become a mother one day and have my own little family. After marrying my husband in 2016, we started to talk about when we would begin a family. Little did I know how challenging pregnancy could be, followed by a postpartum that would miraculously make me feel more like ‘myself’, but was nowhere near true for my body. I quickly learned that having a child changes EVERYTHING!
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Motherhood* to me meant a change of heart, sacrifice, and learning to say no to the world. Children make you love them and struggle to understand them all within a minute. From loving the snuggles, soft checks, and adorable smiles. To being so completely overwhelmed be the constant need of being needed. I’ve learnt that motherhood is about sacrifice, being flexible even when you don’t want to, slowing down the world, and finding a support network that you are not afraid to ask for help from. I want to live and be a place of encouragement for mothers and their journey, even if different from mine, with the hope that we can all appreciate our differences just like we do with our children!