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Marisa Suarez

Marisa Suarez

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Occupational Therapist & Pediatric Feeding Therapist

MS, OTR/L, SWC, CLEC, PMH-CMom of three

About

Marisa is an occupational therapist who supports families through the emotional complexities of parenting. She brings a uniquely integrated perspective to infant feeding and caregiver support with 17 years of clinical and mental health experience at leading institutions like Stanford Hospital working with children and adults. She is a mom to a son and twin daughters.

Credentials

  • Licensed pediatric occupational therapist
  • Certified feeding, eating, & swallowing clinician
  • Certified perinatal mental health clinician

Education

  • San Jose State University

Expertise

Marisa specializes in feeding therapy, lactation education, and mental health across the lifespan. With a foundation in both clinical care and mental health, she supports the whole family unit through evidence-based practice blending compassion and family-centered care. Her work spans hospitals, primary care, outpatient settings, and digital health education, where she supports families navigating emotional and practical challenges with feeding.

“I love helping families tap into the joy of mealtimes and overcome feelings of stress and anxiety, which are such commonly experienced emotions in parenthood.”

By Marisa Suarez

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
a photograph of a baby in a high chair exploring some food while sticking their tongue out

Tongue Thrust and Starting Solids

15 min read
A baby in a striped top reaches toward three black olive slices on a white high chair tray, practicing the pincer grasp.

6 Ways to Help Baby Practice the Pincer Grasp

13 min read
a variety of colorful popsicles for babies starting solids

Popsicles for Babies & Toddlers

12 min read
A baby in an avocado-print onesie sitting in a white high chair, eating while an adult offers a piece of soft white food, with the baby's hand also reaching toward their mouth.

5 Month Feeding Schedule

4 min read
A blue-eyed baby in a yellow top sitting in a high chair with food smeared on her face and hands, mouth open wide, with scattered food pieces on the tray in front of her.

How to Help Baby Gagging on Solids

5 min read
A little girl in a blue star-print top covers her face with both hands in protest in front of a plate of broccoli, tomatoes, and other vegetables on a wooden table.

When to Seek Help for Picky Eating

24 min read
a baby in a high chair with their tongue out and eyes closed after tasting a tart strawberry

Is This Normal? Things Babies Do When Tasting New Foods

8 min read
a photograph of a baby in a high chair with five pieces of quartered grape on the high chair tray and food in their mouth

When Baby Stuffs Food in the Mouth

11 min read
A mother with curly hair tenderly resting her cheek on her baby's head while bottle-feeding the infant on a couch.

4 Month Feeding Schedule

10 min read
a photograph of a baby in a high chair with a few pieces of cooked vegetables on the tray in front of him and a piece of zucchini in his outstretched hand

How to Safely Cut Food for Babies

18 min read
Eczema Riley L Bottle

Tips for Feeding Babies with Eczema

11 min read
a small brown swirl, meant to look like poop, with a smiley face on it

When to Worry About Baby's Poop

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

How to Teach Baby to Drink from a Cup

18 min read
a baby with a full body rash in an allergic reaction

Allergy Symptoms in Babies

31 min read

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