Welcome,
I am so excited to meet you!

My name is Emily Stanley and I am a licensed lactation consultant and speech-language pathologist, and I specialize in infant feeding. I am based in Georgetown, KY.

My passion for pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders sprouted when I became a speech-language pathologist (SLP) 11 years ago. Over the course of my career, especially after the birth of my second child 6 years ago, I began to dive deeper into the niche of infant feeding and fell completely in love with it. 

My favorite areas are infant breastfeeding, infant bottle feeding, and transitioning to solids. After having three children of my own and three extremely different breastfeeding journeys (all with their own very unique challenges), I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my career helping mothers/caregivers and their babies thrive on their feeding journey! 

I recently obtained my certification to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and I am so excited to have a platform to be able to serve the Bluegrass area. I am also a TummyTime! Method provider, trained extensively in tethered-oral tissues, and have completed entry-level training in orofacial myology.  One of my favorite parts of providing therapeutic care is the collaboration with other providers. I do not see babies as only a mouth, but rather a very complex network in which one area of the body connects to and influences the next. I take a lot of pride in my relationships with other professionals such as occupational therapists, craniosacral therapists, physical therapists, chiropractors, pediatric dentists, ENTs and pediatricians. 

If there is one thing I can absolutely promise, is that I will always admit what I don’t know or what is out of my scope of practice and refer to someone higher educated in order to provide you with the best comprehensive care.  We are so blessed to have such a fantastic network of skilled providers in the Bluegrass!

Why SLP + IBCLC?

The connection.

I have found that the fields of speech-language pathology and lactation support complement each other so beautifully; the first area focuses on the specific muscles in the face and how they work together to support oral phase swallow function, and the latter focuses on the mother/baby dyad and working to harmonize the relationship between milk supply, latching, milk transfer, positioning and emotional connection. 

Transitioning to solids.

This another one of my favorite areas to support. My skill set as an SLP helps me to understand the importance of laying a good foundation of oral function for breast/bottle feeding, prompt for the subtle (but very important!) changes in oral function needed for transitioning to solids, and ensuring that both you and your child feel safe, supported and confident as they transition to a more mature diet.  Due to the specific areas I specialize in, my clinic is open to newborns through 15 months.  

Do I need lactation support?

Please see the list below for signs or symptoms that indicate the need for skilled lactation services:

Challenges with Lactation with Previous Child

  • A. Latching issues (difficulty gaining/maintaining latch, shallow latch, tight/compressed latch, biting at the breast/chest)

    B. Slipping off the breast/chest or losing latch

    C. Clicking noises during feeds

    D. Leaking milk at breast/chest or bottle

    E. Air intake with breast/chest or bottle feeds

    F. Poor weight gain or weight loss

    G. Reflux/Excessive spit-up

    H. Fussy at breast or breast refusal

    I. Fatigue at the breast (falling asleep prematurely resulting in frequent feeds)

    J. Frequent hiccups

    K. Gassy/limited bowel movements/limited wet diapers

    L. Green/frothy stool

    M. Gagging on breast or bottle nipple

    N. Irritability or colic symptoms

    O. Jaw quivering at breast/bottle

    P. Long pauses in sucking throughout the feeding

  • A. Lip blisters

    B. Recessed chin

    C. High/narrow palate

    D. Notch in tongue tip

    E. Plagiocephaly

    F. Asymmetric yawning/mouth opening

  • A. Delayed onset of milk production

    B. Nipple pain with latch

    C. Nipple damage (blisters, cracking, blebs, redness, bleeding, midline crease, lipstick shaped nipples after feeds)

    D. Reoccurring clogs, yeast, mastitis

    E. Use of nipple shield for successful latch

    F. Oversupply

    G. Undersupply

Many parents face concerns about their child's eating habits, food aversions, or challenges with mealtime behavior.

Here are some signs or symptoms that indicate the need for skilled feeding services.

  • Prolonged disinterest in purees/solids

  • Gagging or vomiting when eating

  • Mouth clamping/turning head away

  • Fear or upset when seated in high chair/presented with food

  • Persistent tongue thrust/pushing food out of the mouth

  • Chewing foods and spitting out

  • Challenges with milk/food ratios

  • Challenges with transitioning to age-appropriate cups (straw, open cup)

  • Limited chewing/premature swallowing of solids

  • Limited variety of diet

  • Challenges transitioning from purées to solids

  • Whole or poorly-chewed foods present in diapers