What is involved in pediatric feeding therapy?

Some children have neurological or developmental differences that make feeding harder. This includes low muscle tone, cerebral palsy, autism, and sensory sensitivities.

Structural differences like tongue tie or cleft palate can make it hard to latch, suck, or swallow. Chronic ear infections and breathing issues can also interfere with feeding.

Feeding struggles are stressful for the whole family. We work with parents directly, giving you practical strategies you can use at home.

Infancy (0–12 months)

  • Difficulty latching (breast or bottle)
  • Poor suck–swallow–breathe coordination
  • Weak or inefficient sucking
  • Excessive coughing, choking, or gagging during feeds
  • Frequent arching, crying, or distress with feeds
  • Signs of aspiration (wet voice, breathing changes, recurrent respiratory illness)
  • Reflux impacting feeding comfort
  • Prolonged feeding times (>30 minutes consistently)
  • Low endurance during feeding
  • Difficulty transitioning from breast/bottle to purees/solids
  • Oral aversion (turning away, refusing nipple, distress with anything in mouth)

Toddlers (1–3 years)

  • Delayed progression to age-appropriate textures (still on purees, refusing solids)
  • Difficulty chewing (poor rotary chew, pocketing food in cheeks)
  • Limited food repertoire (accepting <20 foods, refusal of entire food groups)
  • Strong texture aversions (e.g., refuses crunchy, wet, or mixed textures)
  • Difficulty self-feeding (trouble with utensils, finger feeding)
  • Excessive gagging or vomiting with solids
  • Difficulty drinking from a cup or straw
  • Overstuffing mouth with food
  • Behavioral mealtime challenges (throwing food, tantrums, refusal to sit)
  • Nutritional concerns due to restricted intake

Preschoolers (3–5 years)

  • Persistent picky eating beyond typical toddler stage
  • Extreme food selectivity (brand-specific, color/shape restrictions)
  • Difficulty expanding diet variety despite exposure
  • Prolonged meal times (taking over 30–40 minutes regularly)
  • Continued oral motor difficulties (chewing, tongue movement, jaw strength)
  • Difficulty with mixed textures (soups, casseroles, fruit with skins)
  • Fear/anxiety around new foods
  • Oral sensory seeking/avoidance (chewing on non-food objects or refusing foods with certain smells)
  • Transitioning to school environments with restricted diet (social/mealtime participation issues)
  • Persistent mealtime stress affecting family dynamics

Across All Ages (0–5)

  • Growth and weight gain concerns related to feeding
  • Medical or structural issues (tongue tie, cleft palate, chronic ear infections, respiratory issues) impacting feeding
  • Neurological or developmental delays (low tone, CP, autism, sensory processing challenges) influencing feeding
  • Parental stress and need for caregiver coaching in feeding strategies