Infant Feeding Therapy

At Thriveable Therapies, we provide individualized infant feeding therapy to support healthy oral motor development, efficient feeding, and positive mealtime experiences. Infant feeding therapy supports babies experiencing challenges with breastfeeding, bottle feeding, oral motor skills, swallowing, and transitioning to solids. We identify factors affecting feeding and provide individualized strategies to improve latch, oral coordination, feeding efficiency, and comfort, helping babies feed and thrive.

Addressing underlying factors such as poor oral function can also help reduce feeding-related gassiness, reflux, fatigue, and fussiness. Early support helps establish strong feeding skills, setting the foundation for successful eating and drinking as your child grows.

Feeding Concerns We Support

Latching & Sucking Difficulties (Breast & Bottle): Support for difficulty latching, weak or inefficient suck, poor suction, clicking, milk leakage, prolonged feeding sessions, fatigue during feeds, or difficulty coordinating sucking, swallowing, and breathing. Therapy may include orofacial deep tissue release, individualized oral motor exercises to support strength and range of motion, and feeding strategies to optimize factors like positioning, pacing, responsive feeding, bottle selection, and nipple flow rate for more efficient and comfortable feeding.
Bottle Refusal: Support for bottle refusal, feeding aversion, and difficulty accepting alternative bottles and feeding methods.
Tongue & Lip Ties: Functional assessment, education, referrals when appropriate, and pre- and post-procedure stretches and exercises to promote healing and improved function.
Reflux: Feeding strategies to support infants experiencing reflux-related discomfort or feeding challenges.
Dysphagia & Swallowing Difficulties: Support for swallowing concerns, including coughing during feeds and difficulty coordinating swallowing.
Transition to Solids: Assistance with transitioning to purees and solid foods, including gagging, coughing, vomiting, and texture refusal.
Oral Motor & Chewing Skills: Support for tongue movement, lip closure, chewing, bolus management, and difficulty spitting food out.
Straw & Open Cup Drinking: Developmental support for transitioning from bottles to straw and open cups.

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Our Collaborative Approach

We believe in collaborative, family-centered care. Some feeding concerns may benefit from the expertise of additional healthcare professionals, and we often support families through coordinated care alongside other providers. When needed, we may recommend referrals to trusted specialists while continuing to address your baby’s individual feeding needs.

Some concerns that may require additional support include:

Lactation & Breastfeeding Support: Low milk supply, pumping, and parent-centered lactation support may require an IBCLC.
Bodywork & Musculoskeletal Concerns: Torticollis, body tension, and asymmetries may require referral to a qualified bodywork or therapy provider.
Formula & Nutritional Recommendations: Formula selection and nutritional management may require a pediatrician or registered dietitian.
Dysphagia and Aspiration Concerns: Suspected aspiration may require an instrumental swallow study.
Severe Reflux/GERD, Weight Gain, & GI Concerns: GI concerns such as significant reflux, constipation, or poor weight gain may require medical evaluation.
Structural & Airway Concerns: Anatomical or airway concerns may require referral to ENT or craniofacial specialists.
Developmental & Motor Concerns: Gross motor delays, positioning, or movement concerns may require OT or PT.
Complex Medical & Feeding Needs: Medically complex infants may benefit from coordinated care with their medical team.

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