Supporting your baby’s feeding and development with confidence

A young child with blue eyes and brown hair, lying on a bed with a white textured blanket, looking directly at the camera.

Brilliant Babies supports families during the earliest and most important stages of development. We offer both licensed pediatric occupational therapy services (specializing in NICU graduates) and education based parent consultation.

Whether your baby was born early, had a NICU stay, or is developing typically, occupational therapy can support feeding, regulation, motor skills, and the parents, during this critical window of development.

A new baby can bring up a lot of questions. Not to mention a lot of 2am. searches. These are a few we hear the most:

Why do I hear clicking or gulping sounds during breast or bottle feeds?

Why does my baby keep unlatching, arching or pulling away during feeds?

My baby is coming home from the NICU. What should I expect?

Will my preemie hit feeding and developmental milestones on time?

I wish I had a trusted expert in my corner from day one.

I feel informed, but I do not feel confident.

"As a first time mom, I was overwhelmed with what to expect as someone who was planning to breastfeed. Adriana's prenatal breastfeeding class helped ease my stress. She answered all my questions and made me feel seen and validated. She even answered questions that I didn't know I had. I highly recommend Adriana to anyone who is looking to breastfeed-first time mom or not."

-Happy Client

We can support with:

Occupational Therapy

Intro to NICU for high risk pregnancy

(live virtual)

Prepare for possible NICU admission, learn about NICU team, caregiver participation in cares, baby cues

Feeding Foundations: From First Latch to First Bottle

(live virtual)

A guide to breastfeeding, pumping, infant cues, and bottle feeding

Brilliant Beginnings

Education and Prevention

Feeding/swallowing and development

No diagnosis needed.

Classes and Workshops

Nurture & Touch:
The Infant Massage Experience

3 weeks

Private, in-home

3 pairing max

About Adriana Rusch,

MOT, OTR/L, SWC, SCFES, NTMTC, IBCLC, CNT

Owner, Occupational therapist (certified neonatal therapist), Lactation Consultant

I am a wife and mother of 2 children. I have breastfed both my children. Although, my first child had brief NICU stay, I experienced the separation from my baby after birth and the delay in bringing my son to breast for his first feed; not to mention the breastfeeding and milk supply difficulties after an emergent cesarian.

Through this experience, as well as from my experience of working in the NICU, I have a strong passion for neonatal and infant development. I also appreciate that, even though, your infant has graduated from the NICU, your journey continues.

I specialize in infant occupational therapy, with facilitating feeding and developmental skills. I love empowering families, providing assurance, and helping them gain confidence in helping their children flourish.

I also appreciate that many parents, even if they did not have a baby in the NICU, frequently have questions about bottle feeding, breastfeeding, and developmental play. I offer occupational therapy services to provide education on infant feeding and development for parents who are seeking to enhance their infant’s functional performance.

I am also bilingual. I am fluent in English and Spanish.

Hablo Español!

Because every baby deserves a brilliant beginning.

A woman with curly dark hair, smiling, wearing a navy blue sleeveless top with ruffled sleeves and a gold necklace with a pendant.
  • Double board certified: Occupational Therapy and Lactation Consultant

  • Advanced practice in the state of California in swallowing assessment, evaluation, or intervention (SWC)

  • Specialty certification with the American Occupational Therapy Association in feeding, eating, and swallowing (SCFES)

  • Certified in Neonatal touch and massage (NTMTC)

  • Certified neonatal therapist (CNT)

Advanced Certifications

·      

Why Families Choose Brilliant Babies

  • Therapist with NICU experience

  • Speciliazed focus on infant feeding and early development

  • Parent education integrated into every service

  • Short-term and transitional support available

  • In-home services

  • Serving families in South Orange County (San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, San Clemente, and surrounding cities)

FAQ

A smiling baby girl with blue eyes, wearing a sleeveless shirt with zebra and giraffe prints, lying on a colorful blanket with animal illustrations, and wearing a red bow headband.
  • Please call or email me to discuss how we can most effectively work together.

  • Brilliant Babies offers private pay occupational therapy services. Short term support may be provided while families pursue insurance authorization or ongoing therapy.

    At this time, Brilliant Babies is out of network for all insurances.

  • With Private OT, we do not need a referral to evaluation and treat.

    We also do not need to wait for insurance authorization to complete an evaluation or treatment.

    We are able to provide evaluation and treatment as soon as possible, during this critical window of brain development.

  • South Orange County

    San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, San Clemente and surrounding cities

Let’s help you and your baby thrive!

If you're interested in working with us, please complete the form with a few details.

Because every baby deserves a brilliant start.

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