Feeding Therapy

Feeding therapy helps children develop the oral motor skills needed for safe and effective eating. A child must have adequate motor planning within the mouth to chew food properly and move it from the front to the back for swallowing. When these skills are delayed or inefficient, children may struggle with chewing, swallowing, or accepting new textures. Feeding therapy provides guided exercises and strategies to build strength, coordination, and confidence, supporting a positive relationship with food and mealtimes.

When is “picky eating” a problem?

When a child feels unsafe while, eating, they will develop habits and compensatory strategies in order to gain control.  A child may limit the size or texture of foods they are willing to tolerate in order to feel comfortable and safe while eating.  When these limitations become of concern for a parent and/or pediatrician, feeding therapy if often recommended.

What are the goals of feeding therapy?

  • Advice from newborn through school-age regarding mealtime behaviors
  • Ideas on how to encourage the sights, sounds, touch, smell, and taste of food
  • Equip families with knowledge and strategies to use during mealtime

How do I get my “picky eater” to eat?

  • Making the mindset change from a “picky eater” to an “exploring eater” through positive reinforcement and an easy-going approach!

Children

Though less common in older children, feeding therapy may be necessary for those with ongoing swallowing difficulties or oral motor issues.
Consider feeding therapy if your child exhibits:

  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing solid foods
  • Persistent restrictive eating or food aversion
  • Frequent gagging or choking

Infant Feeding & Lactation Consultation

Infant feeding therapy is essential for infants with feeding difficulties or swallowing concerns. We evaluate to determine the cause of infant feeding difficulty and then prescribe an individualized treatment plan, including lactation consultation to help achieve feeding goals and overall development. Our treatment style is integrative and includes a whole body approach `because feeding is a whole-body activity for infants.

Treatment is hands-on and parent(s) are educated so that the treatment may be carried over at home between therapy sessions.

Infant

Infant feeding therapy is offered for infants with feeding difficulties or swallowing concerns. Lactation counseling is available for mother/infant pairs experiencing nursing difficulties and/or milk supply issues.

Consider infant feeding and/or lactation consultation if your infant exhibits:

  • Suspected tongue or lip tie

  • Colic, excessive fussiness or gas

  • Frequent spit-up or reflux

  • Difficulty latching or shallow latch

  • Sore nipples or low milk supply

  • Refusal of breast or bottle
  • Clicking sound while feeding

  • Slow weight gain or weight loss

  • Coughing, gagging, choking or popping off latch during feeding

We evaluate to determine the cause of infant feeding difficulty and then prescribe an individualized treatment plan, including lactation counseling as needed, to help achieve feeding goals and overall development.

Treatment is hands-on and parent(s) are educated as well so that the treatment may be carried on at home between therapy sessions. Length of therapy sessions vary.

Testimonials

My daughter was born prematurely and, even after coming home from five weeks in the NICU, continued to present us with feeding challenges. At one point, she refused to take a bottle at all despite having done so before discharge from the hospital and was only slowly gaining weight. It was such a stressful time, but the ONE thing I remember distinctly was the first time we walked into Andrea’s office and felt truly understood. 

Andrea took the time to get to know our daughter and her story and, importantly, took into account the significance of the family system… we had been through a shared trauma those five weeks in the NICU.

Andrea utilized a combination of therapy techniques to help our sweet girl make significant strides towards her goals, something that we had not seen happen before. Within a relatively short time, she was nursing better and taking her practice bottles again without difficulty. 

Andrea brought so much to our family but I think the greatest gift she gave us was her ministry of presence. She comes in as someone who is clearly knowledgeable and experienced… but also feeling. She looks at the whole picture and we will forever be grateful for her work with our daughter (and with us!) during the most difficult season of our parenting journey thus far. – Laura P.

Positive Impact

Myofunctional therapy offers a powerful, non-invasive approach to improving overall health by addressing the root causes of oral and facial muscle dysfunction. By retraining the muscles of the tongue, lips, and face, this therapy supports proper breathing, swallowing, posture, and sleep. Clients often experience relief from issues such as mouth breathing, snoring, TMJ discomfort, and orthodontic relapse. Beyond these physical benefits, myofunctional therapy can also enhance focus, energy levels, and quality of life-making it a transformative component of whole-body wellness.

Reach out today and let’s see how we can help!