Pediatric Feeding Therapy

Good nutrition is important for children’s growing bodies. But sometimes children can struggle to eat the variety of foods they need for their health and development. If you are concerned about your child’s mealtime habits, feeding therapy could be the solution. This treatment is designed to determine what is causing your child’s feeding difficulties and learn how to overcome them. With our therapists’ help, your child can learn how to eat and drink with confidence for a healthy body and happy mealtimes.

What Is Feeding Therapy?

Pediatric feeding therapy is a specialized treatment for children who struggle to eat or drink safely due to a developmental delay or disability. Your child will work with a speech-language pathologist (SLP), an occupational therapist (OT), or both depending on their specific challenges. Our therapists will work with your child on different activities and exercises designed to empower their ability to nurse, eat, and drink safely. This is vital for their overall health and nutritional intake.

Why Feeding Therapy?

Feeding therapy includes treatment for several areas of development such as oral motor control, emotional regulation, and sensory processing skills. Children who have a developmental delay or disability may have trouble with feeding due to one or more of these areas.

Because feeding is a vital life skill, you should schedule an evaluation with Believe Therapies if you are concerned about your child’s mealtime behavior or feeding habits. Early intervention can help your child overcome their struggles more easily so they can live their best life.

What Are the Benefits of Feeding Therapy?

When your child participates in routine feeding therapy sessions, they can experience a ton of great benefits such as:

Improved control of their oral motor skills
Reduced stress or anxiety about mealtimes
Better ability to participate in social situations
Increased nutritional intake from a variety of foods
Reduced risk of aspirating food or drink
Increased overall health and wellbeing
Better physical growth and development
Increased independence and self-confidence

Testimonials

Very amazing people and staff! My son has been going to their facility since he was 5 months old and they are very kind with my son. The front desk ladies are amazing and very understanding when it comes to last minute cancellations, but overall very good people. Highly recommend.

My son has been thriving ever since he started Therapy here. This is something he looks forward to every week. We love all of the Therapists who work with him! Most of the time he doesn’t even want to leave after his appointment because he has had such a good time. We have had nothing but great experiences. The ladies at the front desk are always warm and friendly and very helpful when it comes to scheduling changes etc.

All the staff is super nice and patient. Definitely would recommend. My son has been seeing them even before they changed locations. All of the therapists are wonderful and super caring. 10/10 👍🏼

Believe Therapies has gone above and beyond in caring for my family’s needs. Every therapist we have worked with, every administrator or receptionist we have had contact with, has shown genuine and individual interest in my children. They have helped our children grow and develop in ways that have been answers to prayers. Thank you!

My daughter has been going to Believe Therapies for physical therapy for 4 years & occupational therapy for 3+ years. We are very thankful to have professional intervention, support & guidance with her motor skills development from therapists that specialize in working with children. Believe is the place to go for kids with special needs, and it is wonderful that we can get these services locally!

The team from Midlothian are amazing. My son loves going to therapy. The therapist here are very professional and they treat everybody like family and with respect. I recommend believe therapies in Midlothian to everybody.

My son just started at Believe Therapies and it has been great! We are a very busy family with crazy schedules and they were able to accommodate us with early sessions. They always start and end our sessions on time! My son loves Believe Therapies.

Pediatric Feeding Therapy FAQs

How Should I Explain Feeding Therapy to My Child?

When explaining pediatric feeding therapy to your child, we recommend keeping any and all explanations simple, positive, and age-appropriate to help them feel comfortable and excited about the experience.

Consider framing it in a way they can relate to: “We’re going to see a special helper who’s really good at teaching kids fun ways to eat and enjoy their favorite foods!” This helps your child see the therapist as a friendly guide, not as someone focusing on what they struggle with.

You can also describe pediatric feeding therapy as a place where they’ll get to try new things and practice skills in a fun new way. “You’ll get to play games, taste different foods, and learn cool tricks that make mealtimes easier and more fun!”

By focusing on the positives—like trying new foods, feeling more confident when it’s time to eat and snack, and making mealtimes altogether happier—you can help your child feel excited about their journey in feeding therapy. The goal is to ensure they see it as a supportive and enjoyable experience!

How Can Pediatric Feeding Therapy Improve My Child's Eating Habits?

Pediatric feeding therapy at Believe Therapies is designed to address the unique challenges your child may face with eating, drinking, or mealtime behaviors, helping them develop healthier, more confident habits.

Our therapists use a personalized approach, working one-on-one with your child to identify the underlying reasons for their feeding difficulties. These personalized approaches could address sensory sensitivities, oral motor delays, medical conditions, or other challenges that make mealtimes hard. Through targeted activities and exercises, our team at Believe Therapies is here to help your child build the skills they need to eat and drink safely and effectively.

For example, your child’s therapist might introduce new foods in fun, low-pressure ways to expand your child’s diet or work on strengthening oral muscles for chewing and swallowing. They may also help with strategies to improve focus and behavior during meals, making mealtimes less stressful for everyone.

Beyond improving physical eating skills, feeding therapy fosters confidence. As your child learns to overcome their challenges, they’ll feel more comfortable and positive about eating, which is key to building lifelong healthy habits.

With the guidance of our skilled pediatric therapists, your child can experience happier, more enjoyable mealtimes while getting the nutrition they need to grow and thrive!

What Specific Feeding Disorders Do Pediatric Feeding Therapists Treat?

At Believe Therapies, our pediatric feeding therapists are specially trained to address a wide range of feeding and swallowing challenges that may impact your child’s ability to eat, drink, and enjoy mealtimes.

Some of the most common feeding disorders our therapists work to address include:

Oral Motor Delays: Our therapists work to help your child through difficulties chewing, swallowing, or managing food safely due to weak muscles or poor coordination in the mouth.
Sensory-Based Feeding Issues: Our experts can help children overcome extreme aversions to certain textures, tastes, or food temperatures, which, if left unattended, can limit a child’s diet as they grow up.
Food Refusal or Selectivity: Our team members work alongside your child to help them expand the menu of their preferred foods, as eating only a minimal range of foods or avoiding eating altogether can go on to create a list of negative health issues down the road.
Dysphagia (Swallowing Disorders): Our specialists can help your child learn to safely swallow food or liquids and overcome difficulties that can lead to discomfort, choking, gagging, or aspiration.
Picky Eating vs. Problem Feeding: Our therapists can help identify whether a child’s picky eating is part of normal development or something more complex that requires support.

At Believe Therapies, our pediatric feeding therapists work closely with parents and children to uncover the root cause of these challenges and create personalized plans to help kids eat with confidence, get the nutrition they need, and enjoy happier, stress-free meals and snack times.

What Techniques Are Commonly Used In Pediatric Feeding Therapy Sessions?

Pediatric feeding therapy at Believe Therapies relies on a variety of techniques tailored to your child’s unique needs, helping them overcome feeding challenges and build confidence for whenever mealtime rolls around.

Here are some common methods our pediatric therapists use:

Oral Motor Exercises: These activities strengthen the muscles involved in chewing, swallowing, and speaking. Examples include blowing bubbles, using straws, or practicing tongue movements to improve coordination.
Sensory Integration: For children with sensory sensitivities, our therapists gradually introduce new textures, tastes, and temperatures in a fun, low-pressure way to expand their comfort with different foods.
Behavioral Strategies: Our therapists use positive reinforcement and structured routines to help children develop healthy mealtime habits, such as trying new foods or eating with utensils.
Food Chaining: This approach involves introducing new foods by linking them to ones your child already enjoys. For instance, if your child loves plain crackers, they might try crackers with a mild spread as the next step.
Adaptive Feeding Tools: If needed, therapists may recommend specialized utensils, cups, or seating arrangements to make eating more manageable and enjoyable.
Parent Education: Caregivers learn strategies to support their child’s progress at home, including how to create positive mealtime experiences and reinforce therapy goals.

The above techniques are just a few examples and are each designed to meet your child where they are and help them achieve meaningful milestones—one bite, sip, or smile at a time!

How Does Pediatric Feeding Therapy Support Children With Oral Motor Difficulties?

Pediatric feeding therapy at Believe Therapies is highly effective in helping children with oral motor difficulties, which can make chewing, swallowing, or managing food and liquids challenging. These difficulties often stem from weakened or uncoordinated muscles in the mouth, jaw, tongue, or lips, and our therapists are here to help your child strengthen these muscles and improve their coordination.

Our therapists use specialized oral motor exercises to target specific areas. For example, they might work on tongue movements to help with swallowing, lip exercises to improve sealing and sipping, or jaw-strengthening activities to support chewing. These exercises are often presented as fun, interactive games to keep children engaged and motivated.

Another important aspect of pediatric feeding therapy is teaching children how to sequence movements, such as biting, chewing, and swallowing, in a safe and effective way. Your child’s therapist may introduce tools like chew toys, straws, or textured foods to help refine these skills.

Beyond physical techniques, pediatric feeding therapy at Believe Therapies empowers children to approach eating more confidently and comfortably. By addressing oral motor challenges directly, our therapists can help kids safely and successfully eat a variety of foods, paving the way for better nutrition, development, and enjoyable mealtimes.

What Should I Expect During My Child’s First Feeding Therapy Session?

Your child’s first feeding therapy session at Believe Therapies is an opportunity for the therapist to get to know your child and understand their unique challenges and goals. The session will likely feel relaxed and supportive, with plenty of time for questions and discussion.

The therapist will likely begin by reviewing your child’s medical and developmental history, including any feeding concerns you’ve observed. They may ask about your child’s eating habits, favorite and least favorite foods, and any difficulties during mealtimes, such as gagging, choking, or food refusals.

Next, the therapist will conduct a gentle evaluation, which might include observing how your child eats, drinks, chews, and swallows. Depending on your child’s comfort level, this could involve tasting different foods or using simple tools like cups or spoons.

From there, the therapist will outline an individualized treatment plan tailored to your child’s needs. They’ll also explain what you can do at home to support progress, such as mealtime strategies or exercises.

The goal of the first session is to create a comfortable, encouraging environment where you and your child feel supported and confident about the journey ahead. Together, you’ll take the first steps toward healthier, happier mealtimes!

Can Pediatric Feeding Therapy Help With Sensory-Based Feeding Issues?

Yes! Pediatric feeding therapy can be highly effective for children with sensory-based feeding issues. These challenges often occur when a child is hypersensitive to certain textures, tastes, smells, or temperatures, leading to food aversions or mealtime struggles.

At Believe Therapies, our therapists are specially trained to identify and address sensory sensitivities. They use gradual, step-by-step techniques to help children feel more comfortable with foods they previously avoided. For example, your child’s therapist might introduce a new texture by encouraging your child to touch or play with it before tasting. Over time, this approach reduces anxiety and builds familiarity in a fun and stress-free way.

Our therapists may also use sensory integration activities, such as exploring different textures through play or incorporating calming strategies during meals, to help your child feel more at ease. The goal of pediatric feeding therapy is to create positive, pressure-free experiences with food that build confidence and reduce aversions.

By addressing sensory-based feeding issues, pediatric feeding therapy at Believe Therapies can help expand your child’s diet, improve their nutrition, and make mealtimes more enjoyable for your whole family. With patience and guidance, children can develop a healthier relationship with food and greater confidence at the table.

How Frequently Should My Child Attend Feeding Therapy Sessions?

The frequency of pediatric feeding therapy sessions at Believe Therapies depends on your child’s specific needs, the goals of their therapy plan, and the recommendations of their therapist. For many children, sessions are scheduled once or twice a week to provide consistent support while allowing time to practice new skills at home.

During the initial evaluation, your child’s therapist will assess your child’s feeding challenges and work with you to create a personalized treatment plan. This plan will include the recommended number of sessions and an estimated timeline for progress. Some children may benefit from more frequent sessions at first, especially if their feeding difficulties are significantly impacting their nutrition or overall development.

Our therapists will also consider your family’s schedule and your child’s tolerance for therapy when deciding on frequency. Feeding therapy is a collaborative process, and the time between sessions allows you to practice strategies and techniques learned in therapy, reinforcing progress.

As your child improves, sessions may become less frequent, transitioning to periodic check-ins to ensure continued success. The ultimate goal of pediatric feeding therapy is to empower your child with the skills they need for safe, confident eating and to support positive, enjoyable mealtime experiences for your family.

What Progress Can Be Expected From Pediatric Feeding Therapy?

The progress your child makes in pediatric feeding therapy at Believe Therapies will depend on their specific challenges and goals. Still, every step forward can have a meaningful impact on their health, development, and confidence.

For children with oral motor difficulties, progress may include improved chewing, swallowing, or the ability to eat a wider variety of foods. Kids with sensory-based feeding issues might grow more comfortable exploring new textures, tastes, and temperatures, gradually expanding their diet. Behavioral challenges like food refusal or mealtime anxiety can also improve, resulting in more positive and stress-free mealtimes.

Our therapists work closely with families to set realistic, achievable goals. Early milestones may involve small victories, like touching or tasting new foods, while long-term progress could include meeting specific nutritional needs or eating safely without choking or gagging.
After a few sessions, parents may notice not only physical improvements but also emotional growth. As children build their feeding skills, they gain confidence and independence, creating a more joyful relationship with food!

Feeding therapy at Believe Therapies is a journey, and each child progresses at their own pace. With patience, practice, and guidance from our skilled therapists, families can look forward to seeing meaningful changes that support their child’s health and well-being for years to come.

Are There Activities Or Exercises To Support Feeding Therapy At Home?

Yes! There are several at-home activities and exercises you can do to support your child’s progress in pediatric feeding therapy. These activities reinforce the skills they’re working on in therapy and help make mealtime more enjoyable.

Your therapist will provide guidance on what works best for your child’s progress, and these simple, everyday activities can make a big difference in their feeding development:

Oral Motor Exercises: Simple exercises like blowing bubbles, sucking through a straw, or chewing on safe, textured toys help strengthen the muscles needed for chewing and swallowing. Your therapist may suggest specific exercises based on your child’s needs.
Texture Exploration: Gradually introduce new textures to your child’s meals. You can start by offering foods they are comfortable with and slowly add new textures (like moving from smooth purees to slightly lumpy foods) to help them adapt to different sensations.
Play with Food: Allow your child to explore food through play. Touching, squishing, or arranging food on their plate can help them feel more comfortable with it, reducing sensory aversions and building positive associations.
Model Mealtime Behavior: Eating together as a family and showing your child how to use utensils, chew slowly, and enjoy a variety of foods can encourage them to model these behaviors.

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