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Kary Rappaport

Kary Rappaport

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Executive Director, Pediatric Feeding & Swallowing Specialist

OTR/L, MS, SCFES, IBCLCMom of two

About

Kary is a licensed pediatric occupational therapist, certified feeding and swallowing specialist, and international board-certified lactation consultant. With over 20 years of clinical experience and as a mom of two, she passionately advocates for clinical care that improves family access to connection-driven, research-supported interventions for infant feeding, from birth to solid foods and family meals.

Credentials

  • Licensed pediatric occupational therapist
  • Board-certified feeding and swallowing specialist
  • International board-certified lactation consultant

Education

  • University of Southern California
  • Mary Mount University

Expertise

Kary evaluates and treats infants and toddlers with feeding and swallowing challenges, including aversions related to cancer, prematurity, and sensory processing disorder, and dysphagia from cardiac and gastrointestinal conditions. She specializes in interpretation of modified barium swallow studies and complex feeding therapy cases, but has extensive experience supporting typically developing babies and toddlers with learning to eat.

“Babies are naturally wise and resilient. A safe feeding environment and the encouragement of a loving caregiver is typically all it takes for babies to build new skills.”

By Kary Rappaport

an image showing a grid of 4 photographs of food, one showing dried apricots, one showing shrimp, one showing kimchi, one showing sauerkraut

High-Sulfite Foods

6 min read
A toddler in a grey sweater sitting in a white high chair, drinking from a small stainless steel cup with both hands, with a matching steel bowl and spoon on the tray in front of them.

What’s the Best Cup for Babies?

20 min read
a photograph of a baby in a high chair munching on a mango pit with most of the fruit cut off

Guide to Food Teethers for Babies

5 min read
Amaris, starting solids with oatmeal, in her high chair

Tips for Keeping Baby Happy in the High Chair

5 min read
A blonde baby girl sitting in a white high chair, looking at the camera while holding a small piece of food, with a modern kitchen in the blurred background.

Does Starting Solids Help Reflux?

6 min read
two heads of broccoli on a table before being steamed for babies starting solids

Vitamin C-Rich Fruits & Vegetables

5 min read
a toddler girl drinks a berry smoothie

Smoothies for Toddlers

4 min read
a photograph of a mom holding her baby blurred in the background with a small baby bottle with breast milk in focus in the foreground

How to Hand Express Breast Milk

4 min read
A baby wearing a pink bib sits in a dark grey high chair, looking up curiously, with a bright sunlit room in the background.

If Your Doctor Suggests Starting Solids Early

6 min read
Sick baby

How and What to Feed a Sick Baby

13 min read
Maya, 5 months, does tummy time in preparation for starting solids

Readiness to Start Solid Food

15 min read
A 7 month old baby holding an open cup

How to Teach Baby to Drink from a Cup

18 min read
New High Chair Page Feature Image

Solid Starts Guide to High Chairs for Babies (2026)

20 min read
a photograph of a baby in a yellow onesie bringing a handful of ricotta to her mouth

What Is Baby-Led Weaning?

24 min read
side view of a baby drinking a glass cup of water

Water for Babies

9 min read
Feeding schedules landscape

Baby Feeding Schedules

45 min read

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