All Things Sensory by Harkla

Feeding a baby can feel overwhelming, especially when things don't go as planned. In this episode, I sit down with Kristin and Maureen from Wild Milk Co., two International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), for a conversation about infant feeding, lactation support, oral ties, and what families really need to know during those early months.
We talk about common feeding challenges like painful latch, supply concerns, reflux, colic, and bottle feeding struggles, as well as how oral function and oral ties can impact feeding. We also explore the connection between feeding, sensory processing, nervous system regulation, and infant development, along with what families can expect when working with an IBCLC.
Whether you're breastfeeding, bottle feeding, pumping, or doing a combination of all three, this episode is full of practical guidance, reassurance, and encouragement to help you feel more confident in your feeding journey.
Thanks for listening 🩷If this episode helped you feel more supported in your feeding journey, share it with another parent who might need to hear it.
LINKS
We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 
Wild Milk Co.
https://www.wildmilkco.com/ 
Follow Wild Milk Co. on Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/wildmilkco
Real Food for Pregnancy
https://www.amazon.com/Real-Food-Pregnancy-Prenatal-Nutrition/dp/0986295043 
IBCLC Masterclass:
https://www.lactationmasterclass.com/
How to find a masterclass trained IBCLC: 
https://www.lactationmasterclass.com/findanibclc
Idaho Breastfeeding Coalition:
https://www.idahobreastfeeding.org/
Spectra S2:
https://www.spectrababyusa.com/products/spectra-s1-plus-premier-rechargeable-double-electric-breast-pump
Eufy Wearable:
https://www.eufy.com/products/t8d04121?variant=43660277121210
Ninni Co. Pacifier:
https://ninnico.com/
Medela Harmony:
https://www.medela.com/en-us/breastfeeding-pumping/products/pumps/manual/harmony-manual-breast-pump?productId=1021
Natural Breastfeeding Video:
https://naturalbreastfeeding.com/
First Droplets Educational Resource:
https://firstdroplets.com/
Pigeon Glass Bottles:
https://www.pigeonstore.com/
Inno Baby Teethers:
https://www.innobaby.com/
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ 
Harkla Website 
https://harkla.co/ 
Harkla YouTube
​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily 
Harkla Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ 
Harkla Digital Courses
https://harkla.co/collections/courses

If potty training, constipation, accidents, or stool withholding feel way harder than they should, you are not alone. In this episode, we’re talking about pediatric pelvic floor health and why many toileting struggles are actually connected to body awareness, sensory processing, nervous system regulation, and coordination.
Amanda shares her perspective as an OT specializing in pediatric pelvic floor health, while Rachel brings in the sensory and regulation lens. Together, we break down why kids who struggle with toileting are not being lazy, stubborn, or defiant, and why pressure and shame often make things worse.
We also talk about common signs a child may need extra support, how stress and dysregulation impact the body, and practical strategies families can use at home to make toileting feel safer and more manageable.
This episode is all about helping parents better understand what’s happening beneath the surface and reminding families that their child is not broken and they are not failing.
Thanks for listening 🩷 If this episode made you feel less alone, share it with another parent navigating toileting struggles right now.
LINKS
We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 
Amanda’s Potty Training Resources 
https://stan.store/yourpediatricOT 
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ 
Harkla Website 
https://harkla.co/ 
Harkla YouTube
​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily 
Harkla Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ 
Harkla Digital Courses
https://harkla.co/collections/courses

Vibration plates are everywhere right now, but how do you actually use them safely and effectively with kids? In this episode, I’m diving into one of my favorite tools and sharing how I use vibration plates in therapy, what the research is saying, and what families and therapists need to know before trying one at home.
I talk about how vibration plates work, why they were originally developed, and why they can be such a powerful tool for sensory regulation, body awareness, muscle activation, and reflex integration. I also share some of the biggest safety considerations, including when to avoid using vibration plates, what signs to watch for during sessions, and why “low and slow” is always the best place to start.
Throughout the episode, I walk through practical ways I incorporate vibration plates into therapy sessions using functional activities instead of just having kids stand on them. From balance work and yoga flows to games, primitive reflex activities, and sensory integration exercises, I share ideas that make this tool purposeful and engaging.
I also discuss what current research is showing around toe walking, constipation, cerebral palsy, and sensory regulation, along with how I decide whether a vibration plate might be helpful for a child at home versus something better used in a clinical setting.
This episode is designed to help you feel more informed, more confident, and more thoughtful about using vibration plates with kids in a way that supports the nervous system safely and intentionally.
Thanks for listening 🩷If you’ve ever used a vibration plate with your child or in therapy, I’d love to hear about your experience!
LINKS
We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 
LifePro Vibration Plates
https://lifeprofitness.com/collections/vibration-therapy 
Therapeutic Use of Vibration Plates Webinar
https://sensationalbrain.com/product/vibration-plates-pediatric-occupational-therapy/ 
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ 
Harkla Website 
https://harkla.co/ 
Harkla YouTube
​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily 
Harkla Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ 
Harkla Digital Courses
https://harkla.co/collections/courses

If your child is constantly crashing into things, squeezing you a little too tight, or always on the move, there’s a good chance they're seeking out proprioceptive input. In this episode, we’re breaking down one of the most important (and often overlooked) sensory systems and why it can feel like a “secret tool” when it comes to regulation.
We talk about what proprioception actually is, how it helps with body awareness, and why so many kids need more of this type of input throughout their day. You’ll hear why this system is unique compared to other sensory systems and how it can actually help calm and organize the nervous system, especially during moments of overwhelm or anxiety.
We also walk through what it can look like when a child is under-responsive in this system, from big, obvious movements like crashing and jumping to more subtle signs like leaning, slouching, or using too much force when playing or writing. We also touch on how this can show up differently from child to child and why it’s not always easy to spot.
Throughout the episode, we share simple ways to start using proprioceptive input as a tool, both for your kids and for yourself. From squeezing, pushing, and pulling, to everyday activities like chewing, exercising, or even leaning against a wall, these strategies can make a big difference in helping the nervous system feel more grounded and regulated.
This episode is all about helping you better understand what your child’s body might be asking for and giving you a few simple ways to start supporting it in a practical, realistic way.
Thanks for listening 🩷 If this episode helped you understand your child a little better, share it with someone who might be navigating similar sensory needs.
LINKS
We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ 
Harkla Website 
https://harkla.co/ 
Harkla YouTube
​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily 
Harkla Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ 
Harkla Digital Courses
https://harkla.co/collections/courses

In this episode, I’m sharing a very real, very personal story about my daughter and what led me to take her to a developmental optometrist. As both a COTA and a mom, I always tell families “when in doubt, rule it out,” and this was one of those moments where I had to take my own advice.
I walk through what I started noticing at home, from how she was positioning her head while writing, to her difficulty with attention during fine motor tasks, to hesitations with sports and play. At first, it was easy to brush some of it off as personality or age, but the patterns kept showing up.
I share what our appointment actually looked like, what they were assessing, and the moment that really clicked for me when the doctor showed me what she might be seeing on a daily basis. It was one of those experiences where everything suddenly made more sense.
I also talk about the difference between visual acuity and how the eyes actually function together. Just because a child can “see” doesn’t mean their visual system is working efficiently. That was a big takeaway for me and something I think more families need to understand.
This episode is really about awareness. Ocular motor skills, accommodation, and visual processing play such a huge role in things like attention, behavior, reading, and overall development, and they’re often overlooked or mistaken for something else.
I also share how to know who to go to if you’re noticing similar concerns, what a developmental optometrist actually does, and why this can be such an important piece of the puzzle.
This is just the beginning of our journey, and I’ll continue to share updates as we learn more, especially if we move into vision therapy.
Thanks for listening 🩷 If this made you think about your own child’s vision in a new way, share it with someone who might need to hear this too.
LINKS
We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 
All Things Sensory Episode #75 The Power of Vision Therapy with Dr. Ryan Johnson
https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/75-the-power-of-vision-therapy
Best Part Multivitamin
https://bestpartkids.com/ 
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ 
Harkla Website 
https://harkla.co/ 
Harkla YouTube
​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily 
Harkla Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ 
Harkla Digital Courses
https://harkla.co/collections/courses