Where little ones find their groove & families GROW with confidence.
In-home lactation support + infant and toddler feeding therapy throughout Baton Rouge and surrounding areas.
Specialized feeding care by someone who really, really, cares in the comfort of your own home.
SUPPORT THAT GROWS WITH YOU & BABY
PRENATAL FEEDING CONSULTS
Building confidence before baby arrives.
INFANT FEEDING + LACTATION SUPPORT
Find what works for your baby and family.
STARTING SOLIDS & BEYOND
Support new skills as your little one grows.
Supporting feeding, speech, and language foundations. GROWING confidence — from first latch to first bites to first words and all the milestones in between.
Let’s groove and grow together, so we can best support your family’s feeding journey!
Meet the Owner
Hi, I’m Mary Claire Burks, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC!
I’m a speech-language pathologist, certified lactation counselor, infant feeding specialist, mom of two, and the founder of Groove and Grow Baby.
Throughout my professional career, I have supported well over a thousand infants, young children, and their caregivers through feeding and developmental challenges. After nearly 7 years of serving infants and children, I created Groove & Grow to provide families with thoughtful, individualized speech and/or feeding therapy in the comfort of their own homes.
My approach looks beyond the mouth to understand how oral-motor skills, body tension, positioning, regulation, breathing, sensory needs, and gastrointestinal comfort may influence feeding.
Why would my baby need to see a speech therapist?
Your baby doesn’t have to be talking to benefit from speech therapy!
Speech-Language Pathologists with specialized training in infant feeding help babies develop the skills needed to feed safely, comfortably, and effectively — from coordinating sucking, swallowing, and breathing to learning to chew and drink from a cup. Then comes the fun — vocalizations, early gestures, and first words.
Your baby may benefit from a feeding evaluation if you notice:
Difficulty latching or staying latched at the breast or bottle
Clicking, milk leaking, or difficulty managing milk flow
Long, tiring feeds or frequent frustration during feedings
Coughing, choking, or difficulty coordinating feeding and breathing
Feeding refusal or difficulty progressing to solids & new textures
Concerns about tongue movement or oral function during feeding
You may benefit from lactation support if:
Breastfeeding feels painful or uncomfortable
You have concerns about your milk supply
You’re unsure how much milk your baby is transferring at breast
You need help with positioning or achieving a comfortable latch
You have questions about pumping, flange fit, or bottle feeding expressed milk
You’re navigating supplementation, combination feeding, or returning to work
You want to prepare for breastfeeding before your baby arrives
At Groove & Grow Baby, I bring together my experience as a speech-language pathologist and certified lactation counselor to support both your baby’s feeding skills and your breastfeeding goals. You will receive thoughtful, individualized feeding support that works to understand the whole child, uncover the “why” behind feeding difficulties, and create a plan that feels realistic for your family.
It’s an added bonus that I come to you in the comfort of your own home!
If you have concerns about your child’s speech or language, please schedule a 15-minute virtual consult to discuss these concerns and determine if a speech-language evaluation is necessary.
READY TO ~GROOVE~ and GROW?
TRUST YOUR GUT. EARLY SUPPORT MATTERS.
You know your child best. If feedings feel difficult, stressful, or simply different from what you expected, you don’t have to “wait & see”.
Seeking specialized support early can help identify underlying challenges, strengthen developing feeding skills, and prevent frustration from becoming an established pattern. Just as importantly, it can give you the understanding, practical tools, and confidence you need to make informed decisions for you child.
You don’t have to navigate feeding concerns alone. Let’s work together to help your family feel supported, empowered, and confidence moving forward.