Feeding and Swallowing Therapy

Reach the developmental goals that matter most to your family with personalized pediatric feeding therapy.

We create healthy kids and happy eaters!

Our philosophy

Feeding therapist in St. Peters, MO working with a mother and baby to improve mealtimes

Feeding and swallowing therapy is a specialized treatment designed to address the physical, sensory, or behavioral challenges that cause poor nutrition, slow weight gain, or mealtime anxiety.

Don’t worry: it’s not all cold and clinical. Our feeding therapy for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers starts with a basis of play to make food feel safe and fun rather than forced. Together, we find the root cause of their difficulties, define next steps, and create real change!

Let’s Get to the Root of your child’s challenges

How It Works

Child getting help transitioning to solid foods during feeding therapy in St. Peters, MO

Looking for feeding therapy near you? Flourishing Kids addresses feeding issues in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with three simple steps. 

Evaluation

Our speech-language pathologist (SLP) starts by observing your child's feeding skills, medical history, development, and mealtime experiences. By looking at the whole picture, we can identify the factors contributing to feeding difficulties and determine the best next steps.

Clinical Sessions 

Our SLP will devise feeding and swallowing therapy sessions tailored to your child’s needs. Through regular intervention, we help your child strengthen motor skills, reduce sensitivities, correct swallowing patterns and more. 

At-Home Implementation

Practice makes perfect! Feeding changes in the clinic don’t naturally translate to your dinner table — so we hand out a bit of homework. Our simple, at-home techniques help your child keep the skills, comfort, and confidence we worked so hard to build.

Parent participating in online coaching for feeding, breastfeeding, and infant nutrition in St. Peters, MO

Personal Coaching on Feeding, Lactation, and Nutrition

virtual Parent coaching

Not all feeding challenges require in-person therapy, but every family deserves support. Virtual parent coaching is a flexible middle ground that helps you address mild feeding concerns from the comfort of your home.

Through our secure telehealth platform, you'll meet one-on-one with a compassionate team member who provides expert guidance, practical strategies, and personalized recommendations tailored to your child's needs.

Child working on trying new foods while weaning from g-tube feeding in St. Peters, MO

Safe Swallowing ·Starting Solids ·Tube Weaning ·Picky Eating

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about feeding therapy, nutrition services, lactation support, or insurance coverage? We've answered some of the most common questions parents ask when getting started. If you don't see your question below, we're happy to help—just reach out to our team.

  • Flourishing Kids specializes in supporting children from birth to age 5, addressing feeding and nutrition challenges across every stage of early childhood development.

  • Certain signs and symptoms indicate a need for feeding and swallowing therapy, but they vary by age. 

    Feeding issues in infants might start with abnormal breathing, poor intake coordination, or slow growth. Specific signs and symptoms include:

    • Consistently refusing breast or bottle

    • Taking small amounts at a time.

    • Feedings surpassing 30 minutes

    • Choking/coughing/noisy breathing during or after feeds

    • Gagging/arching/distress during feeds

    • Falling asleep before getting enough milk

    • Poor weight gain or slow growth

    • Frequent vomiting/spit-ups with discomfort, or signs of reflux

    • Hoarse/weak cry or voice changes after feeding

    • Feeding issues in children might start with restricted variety, nutritional limitations, or behavioral outbursts during meals. Specific signs and symptoms include:

      • Eating fewer than 20 foods consistently

      • Refusing whole textures or food groups

      • Extreme gagging/coughing/vomiting with certain foods

      • Long mealtimes (>30 minutes)

      • Growth or nutrition concerns

      • Behavioral stress (e.g., meltdowns, anxiety or refusing to sit during meals) 

      • Difficulty chewing, pocketing food, or choking episodes

      • Reliance on formula, bottle, or puree long past the typical age

      • Aversion to hands/objects/foods near the face/mouth

  • Our feeding and swallowing therapy sessions address feeding issues in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Flourishing Kids has experience with the following conditions: 

    • Pediatric dysphagia

    • GI concerns

    • Swallowing disorders

    • Anatomical or structural issues (e.g., cleft lip/palate)

    • Suck-swallow-breathe coordination

    • Food allergies/intolerances

    • Heart/respiratory conditions

    • Failure to thrive

    • Bottle aversion

    • Feeding refusal

    • Transitioning to solids

    • Weaning from feeding tubes to oral feeds

    • Selective eating

    • Prematurity and medically complex feeding challenges

    If your child’s condition isn’t mentioned, please contact us so we can evaluate their needs.

  • Feeding therapy near you focuses on promoting safety, nutrition, and development. Our team develops the skills your child needs to:

    • Safely eat and drink

    • Transition to solids

    • Try new foods and eat a greater variety of foods

    • Eat nutritious meals

    • Improve weight gain and growth

    • Feel joy and connection during mealtimes 

  • Parents are key to success in feeding and swallowing therapy! 


    Our feeding therapy sessions are always family-centered, focused on teaching you and your child strategies that feel doable in your daily routine. 

    We’ll provide you with all the tips, resources, and materials you need to feel confident supporting your child’s growth on your own! 

  • Yes! Flourishing Kids’ services are currently in-network with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna. 

    Not covered? We also accept HSA/FSA and private-pay clients!

Every child's feeding journey is different. Our team is here to help you better understand your options and next steps. Let’s connect for an evaluation! take the next step!