Feeding and Swallowing Therapy
Reach the developmental goals that matter most to your family with personalized pediatric feeding therapy.
What is Feeding and Swallowing Therapy?
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!
how it works
Looking for feeding therapy near you? Flourishing Kids addresses feeding issues in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with three simple steps.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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Flourishing Kids specializes in supporting children from birth to age 5, addressing feeding and nutrition challenges across every stage of early childhood development.
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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
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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.
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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
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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!
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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!
