Dr. Ellie Restivo
OTD, OTR/L, IBCLC, SWC, CNT, NTMTC
Occupational Therapist | Lactation SpecialistBackground
I have a deep passion for supporting families through their baby’s earliest feeding experiences. My work is especially meaningful to me because I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges and emotions that can come with navigating the journey of a baby experiencing feeding difficulties. That experience shaped the way I practice today. It allows me to meet families with both clinical expertise and a deeper level of empathy, understanding just how overwhelming and tender this journey can feel.
My approach is rooted in my experience at one of the nation’s top children’s hospitals, combined with caring for infants in a variety of settings. There, I developed a strong foundation in infant feeding and development while working with babies facing some of the most complex feeding and developmental challenges. I utilize a whole-baby approach, thoughtfully considering how all systems work together, because feeding is never just about feeding alone. A whole-baby approach means I assess and consider body alignment, oral function, regulation, development, and the parent-infant relationship to create lasting change.
I’m here to walk alongside you and offer reassurance, guidance, and a safe space as you navigate this important and often emotional part of early parenthood.
Specialties
Genetic & birth conditions (e.g. Down syndrome - cerebral palsy)
Gross motor milestones (e.g. - rolling - sitting - crawling - walking)
Torticollis (head turning preference - head tilt)
GI Issues (Colic - Spitting up - Reflux - GER - GERD - gas - constipation)
Body tension (infant - parent/caregiver)
Plagiocephaly (flat head)
Medically complex
Other
Breastfeeding/bottle feeding difficulties (latching - dribbling - leakage - gagging - choking - coughing - clicking - weaning - aversion)
Oral Ties (tongue-tie - lip-tie - buccal-ties)
Feeding tube support and weaning
Solid feeding and swallowing (gagging - poor chewing - choking - straw drinking - cup drinking - leakage - picky eating - refusal)
Oral-motor hypotonia (e.g. - weak jaw - open mouth posture)
Trauma-informed care needs
Fine motor milestones (e.g. - reaching - grasping - manipulating objects)
Sensory Issues (hypersensitivity - hyposensitivity)
Muscle tone (Core weakness - low muscle tone/ hypotonia - high muscle tone/hypertonia)
Prematurity
Education & Training
OTD, OTR/L, IBCLC, SWC, CNT, NTMTC
Insurance
Superbill for reimbursement
Out-of-network
Languages
English
Spanish
Affirming Care
LGBTQIA+ Affirming
Neurodiversity Affirming
Trauma Informed
Contact
Service Areas
Studio City
CA
Sherman Oaks
CA
Brentwood
CA
Santa Monica
CA
Encino
CA
Mar Vista
CA
West Los Angeles
CA
Calabasas
CA
Beverly Hills
CA
Pacific Palisades
CA
Toluca Lake
CA
Popular Courses
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