What Is Feeding Therapy?
Feeding therapy is a specialised intervention provided by trained professionals such as occupational therapists (OTs), speech-language pathologists (SLPs), or feeding specialists. The goal is to help children improve their ability to eat and drink safely, comfortably, and with confidence.
Therapy can address a wide range of feeding issues, from difficulties with breastfeeding and bottle feeding in infancy to picky eating, oral aversions, gagging, choking, or texture sensitivities in older children.
Feeding Therapy May Help If Your Child:
- Refuses to eat or drink
- Gags or coughs frequently during meals
- Struggles with chewing or swallowing
- Has trouble transitioning from breast/bottle to solid foods
- Shows signs of oral motor delay
- Has a history of reflux, prematurity, or medical complexities
Oral Motor Skill Development: The Foundation of Feeding
Oral motor skills refer to the movements of the mouth, lips, tongue, jaw, and palate. These are all crucial for eating, drinking, swallowing, and speaking.
In Feeding Therapy, Kids Learn:
- Compensatory strategies and specialist equipment to support infants to coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing
- Proper tongue movements for chewing and managing different textures
- Lip closure and jaw strength for biting and drinking
- Motor patterns needed to safely and efficiently eat a range of foods
Delays or weaknesses in these skills can lead to frustration, poor weight gain, and negative associations with mealtime. Therapists use play-based techniques and gradual exposure to help kids build strength, coordination, and confidence.
Safe Drinking and Swallowing: Reducing Risks
For some children, drinking from a bottle, cup, or straw isn’t just challenging, it can be unsafe. If liquids frequently "go down the wrong way," it can lead to aspiration, which increases the risk of respiratory issues or pneumonia.
Feeding therapists assess swallowing safety using clinical observations or, in some cases, a swallow study. They can then recommend:
- Modified cups or straws
- Pacing techniques
- Thicker liquids or special positioning
- Exercises to improve swallow coordination
The goal is always safe, effective, and enjoyable drinking and eating experiences.
Transitioning onto Foods as an Infant
Introducing solids is a big milestone, typically around 6 months, but it doesn’t always go smoothly.
Some infants may struggle with:
- Gagging on purees or soft solids
- Refusing the spoon
- Difficulty coordinating chewing and swallowing
- Disinterest or fear of new textures
Feeding therapy helps ease this transition by:
- Encouraging exploration of different tastes and textures
- Supporting oral desensitization for babies with heightened sensitivity
- Guiding parents on developmental readiness and appropriate food choices
- Building foundational chewing and self-feeding skills
A feeding therapist can also help you decide between traditional spoon feeding and baby-led weaning, or blend elements of both.
Weaning from Breast or Bottle: A Gentle Process
Moving from breast or bottle feeding to cup and solid foods is a delicate time for both infants and parents. Some babies may resist the transition, while others may lack the oral motor skills to succeed right away.
Feeding therapy can support this process by:
- Identifying when your child is developmentally ready
- Recommending the right cups, bottles, or transitional tools
- Supporting oral motor development for efficient cup drinking
- Addressing emotional attachment to nursing or bottle-feeding
It’s not just about stopping the bottle, it’s about building the skills and confidence your child needs to move forward without stress or setbacks.
What Happens During Feeding Therapy?
A typical feeding therapy session is child-led, play-based, and tailored to your child’s unique needs. Sessions may include:
- Sensory play with food (touching, smelling, tasting)
- Oral motor exercises
- Trying new cups or utensils
- Parent coaching and mealtime strategies
- In some cases, tracking progress with growth, nutrition and feeding milestones
Parents are an essential part of this process, supporting children at home and building positive mealtime routines.
When to Seek Help
If you’ve been wondering whether your child’s feeding skills are “normal”- trust your instincts. Here are some signs it may be time to reach out:
- Feeding takes longer than 30 minutes
- Mealtimes involve battles or distress
- Your child eats fewer than 20 different foods
- There’s frequent coughing, gagging, or choking
- Your child isn't gaining weight as expected
- Feeding is a source of stress for your family
Something to chew on…
Feeding therapy is not just about “getting your child to eat.” It’s about fostering healthy relationships with food, developing the skills needed for safe and joyful eating, and supporting families through every stage, from infancy to independence.
Want to learn more or schedule a consultation?
Reach out to Inner West Paediatrics to take the first step toward happier mealtimes and check out part 2 of this blog on our approach to feeding therapy.
