McKale Fleming, LMT, IBCLC
Healing begins together.
Feeding support, bodywork for babies, and health coaching with a focus on dyad health & well-being.
From prenatal to postnatal, the Parent-Child dyad exists as a unit; they are biologically intertwined. For an infant to thrive, the parent must thrive too; physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Experience a consultation that combines care for your well-being as a parent, and support for your baby.
About Me
Hi, I'm McKale!
My goal is to help strengthen the parent-child relationship through understanding of how the dyad deserves to be cared for together. Comprehensive and integrative care means we're looking at all the possibilities without hyper-focusing on one area or outcome.
- Licensed Massage Therapist since 2009 with additional training in craniosacral therapy, craniosacral fascial therapy, myofascial therapy, neuromuscular therapy, trigger point therapy, reflexology, and structural integration.
- Board Certified Lactation Consultant since 2019 with advanced clinical education in feeding, oral habilitation, dyad microbiome, food sensitivities, breast health and innovative reflexive latching techniques.
- Certified Graduate of the Duke IM Integrative Health Coach Program since 2019 with additional training in herbalism, homeopathy, functional, integrative, and regenerative health.
- Yes! It is important to maintain good working relationships with other colleagues and/or providers who may be needed to best serve dyads and their outcomes. In general my team usually consists of myself, a trusted release provider, and, when needed, a chiropractor. I am always willing to communicate and send notes to other providers you have chosen to be a part of your care team.
- First, please don’t feel inclined to clean! As a mother with two children and a messy husband, I am well acquainted with clutter and mess. This is a service for you, not a hosting responsibility. It is very helpful to have animals that are protective of your family placed in a separate space, or slowly introduced for safety purposes.
- For dyad care visits I need a space large enough for us to chat, somewhere flat to place my scale (the floor is also fine!), and enough floor space to do the hands-on portion, check reflexes and tummy-time positioning for the infant.
- Lastly, please know that the appointment time we set must be flexible. I may be able to get to you earlier if your schedule allows, or it may be within 30 minutes after the appointed time. Please allot some flexibility due to traffic or previous appointments ending later than expected. I give each person my undivided attention, I don’t check the clock during my visits and I stay until my work is concluded.
- I love working with preconception and prenatal families, as there is so much benefit to preparing your physical and mental health for birth. I do these consults virtually and help with topics such as:
- Infertility
- Breast health
- Nutrition
- Gut health & dysbiosis
- Prepping for feeding
- Prepping for delivery
- Endocrine health
- Hormone health
- Food sensitivities
- Yes! No matter how you feed your baby, my role and responsibility is to care for the dyad. That means you AND your child, which means supporting you mentally and emotionally, and regarding your choices with respect. I am happy to work with families on bottle-feeding, finding a good formula fit for food sensitive dyads, and working on structural challenges with infants having difficulty feeding due to tension or tethered oral tissues.
- Each person and dyad are unique! While it is impossible for me to know ahead of time how much time and investment each family or person may need, on average 3 visits would be adequate for simple situations, and up to 6 for complex situations. I can better advise a plan of action after our initial consultation.
- I see great benefits when I start working with a child as a newborn and follow the infant through the first year of life, seeing them at important milestones such as rolling over, crawling, walking, and starting solids to help support changes in postural appropriation.
Topics I Can Help With
01.
Feeding Support
- Bottle aversion or refusal
- Formula section for IgG & Non-IgG reactions
- Positions to support stress-less feeding
- Oral habilitation for low tone feeding
02.
Lactation
- Breast health and milk supply
- Hormonal health and dyad microbiome
- Latching and positioning
- Triage for pain and nipple damage
03.
Gut Health
- Constipation and/or loose stools
- Poor weight gain
- Unexplained fussiness
- Colic/Reflux/Gas
04.
Oral Function
- Competent feeding vs compensatory
- Leaking or clicking at breast or bottle
- Painful or shallow latch
- Lip blisters and blanching
05.
Structural Health
- Plagiocephaly
- Torticollis
- “Banana” baby shape
- Facial & trunk asymmetry
06.
Reflux
- Discomfort during and after feedings
- Wet and frequent hiccups
- Refusing to eat
- Poor weight gain
07.
Food Sensitivities
- Rashes and eczema
- Constipation and/or loose stools
- Refusing to eat
- Frequent night-waking
08.
Disrupted Sleep
- Frequent night-waking
- Congestion at night
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Waking from belly discomfort
Let's work on feeding
Let's work on health
Testimonials
Client Care Reviews
"McKale is amazing!! She is full of knowledge and encouragement. She played a huge role in caring for our little one’s oral function and supporting us on our breastfeeding journey. Can’t say enough good things about her!!"
The Ford Family
"McKale has been such a godsend to our family. Not only is she excellent at what she does, but she genuinely listens and cares and checks in."
The Maglott Family