Feeding therapy is a specialized type of therapy that can be performed by occupational therapists and speech language pathologists. Feeding therapy is most commonly utilized for babies and toddlers, as feeding and swallowing problems usually present early in life.

Feeding therapy can address a variety of issues around food and feeding. This includes picky eating, physical limitations (swallowing difficulties), medical conditions (cleft lip, breathing problems, feeding tube), and sensory issues (autism, adhd, sensory processing disorders).

When working with children in feeding therapy, therapists work closely with families and caregivers to discuss their concerns and goals in feeding therapy. Dealing with a young child with picky eating habits can be stressful for everyone involved, and therapists aim to relieve some of this anxiety by utilizing techniques that parents can easily employ at home.

Eating problems can affect up to 20% of children under the age of seven. But sometimes it can be tricky for caregivers to tell if their child needs help. Here are some signs to watch out for if you are concerned about your child's eating, according to WebMD:

Babies up to 6 months:

• Coughing or choking during feeding
• Problems coordinating breathing while eating
• Frequent projectile vomiting

Babies 6-12 months:

• Difficulty trying purees
• Turning head away during feeding
• Lack of interest in finger foods
• Frequent coughing or gagging

Children over 1 year:

• Very restricted diet
• Avoiding certain textures or food groups
• Coughing or choking while drinking
• Inability to use a straw
• Upset with new foods
• Low weight or losing weight

If you are concerned about your child's eating or nutrition, the first step is to visit your pediatrician and express your concerns. From there, your doctor will discuss suggestions for treatment options.

Here at PMC, our feeding clinic offers multi-discipline (speech therapy and occupational therapy) therapeutic interventions catered to your child's specific needs. Our team utilizes the SOS (sequential-oral-sensory) feeding approach to create an eating routine that reinforces developmentally appropriate, healthy eating patterns. Social modeling, positive reinforcement, manageable food and skill development are all parts of this approach. SOS feeding therapy allows children to explore food through their senses, using their fingers, hands and mouth to explore new sensations. If your concerns with feeding are specific to diet and picky eating, PMC also has an in-house registered dietitian who can assist with improving nutrition through a low-stress approach.