Feeding Therapy
Helping children develop positive, confident and enjoyable mealtimes
Eating is an important part of everyday life, but for some children, mealtimes can be stressful, frustrating or overwhelming. Feeding difficulties can affect nutrition, growth, family routines and a child’s confidence around food.
At SLP Therapy & Me, we provide evidence-based, individualised feeding therapy to help children develop safe, positive and enjoyable eating experiences. Therapy is tailored to each child’s unique strengths, needs and family goals, supporting mealtimes that feel less stressful and more successful. My approach is guided by responsive feeding principles, creating positive, low-pressure opportunities for children to explore food, develop new skills and build confidence around eating.
What are feeding difficulties?
Feeding difficulties occur when children experience challenges eating, drinking or accepting a variety of foods appropriate for their age.
Some children may be very selective eaters, refuse certain textures, gag when eating, struggle with chewing or drinking, or become distressed during mealtimes. Others may experience feeding challenges related to oral motor skills, sensory preferences or medical and developmental factors.
While many children go through phases of selective eating, persistent feeding difficulties are often more complex than simply being a “fussy eater.” A feeding assessment can help identify the factors contributing to your child’s eating challenges and guide the most appropriate support for your family.
Signs your child may benefit from feeding therapy
You might notice that your child:
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eats a very limited range of foods
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refuses to try new foods
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gags or coughs during meals
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has difficulty chewing certain textures
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takes a long time to finish meals
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prefers foods of a particular texture, brand or appearance
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becomes upset or anxious at mealtimes
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has difficulty transitioning to solid foods
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pockets food in their mouth
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mealtimes are stressful for the whole family
If you’re concerned about your child’s eating or drinking, a feeding assessment can help identify what’s contributing to these challenges and determine the best way to support them.
Common feeding difficulties we support
Fussy Eating
Many children go through phases of selective eating, but some have a very limited range of accepted foods or become increasingly anxious around new foods. Therapy focuses on creating positive experiences with food while gradually supporting children to build confidence exploring new foods at their own pace.
Food Variety
Some children eat only a small number of foods, making family meals challenging and limiting nutritional variety. Therapy supports children to gradually expand the range of foods they feel comfortable exploring, while respecting their individual sensory preferences and developmental readiness.
Oral Motor Feeding Skills
Eating and drinking rely on the coordinated movement of the lips, tongue, jaw and cheeks. Some children may have difficulty chewing different food textures, moving food safely around their mouth, or developing age-appropriate drinking skills, such as using a straw or open cup.
Therapy supports the development of oral motor feeding skills needed for safe, efficient and confident eating and drinking. Sessions are tailored to your child’s developmental stage and individual needs, helping them build the skills required to participate more successfully in everyday mealtimes.
Drinking Skills
Some children have difficulty progressing from bottles to cups, drinking from straws or using open cups confidently. Therapy supports the development of age-appropriate drinking skills using practical, child-friendly strategies.
Sensory Feeding Difficulties
Some children are particularly sensitive to the taste, smell, texture, temperature or appearance of foods. These sensory preferences can make trying new foods feel overwhelming or unsafe. Therapy helps children gradually build comfort with different foods through playful, low-pressure food exploration while respecting their individual sensory needs.
Transitioning to Solids
Moving from milk to solid foods is an exciting developmental milestone, but some children experience challenges with this transition. Therapy supports children and families through the introduction of new textures and age-appropriate eating skills in a way that feels positive and achievable.
Family Mealtime Support
Feeding difficulties affect the whole family, not just the child. Therapy includes parent coaching and practical mealtime strategies that help reduce stress, build confidence and create enjoyable family mealtimes that support your child’s ongoing progress.
What does a feeding assessment involve?
A feeding assessment helps us understand your child’s eating skills, mealtime routines and the factors influencing their feeding.
During the assessment, we may:
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discuss your child’s feeding history and development
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observe your child eating and drinking
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assess oral motor skills
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observe chewing and drinking skills where appropriate
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explore sensory preferences and food acceptance
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discuss family mealtime routines and concerns
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answer any questions you may have
Following the assessment, we'll explain the findings, discuss recommendations and develop an individualised therapy plan tailored to your child’s needs and your family’s goals.
What does feeding therapy involve?
Every child has a unique feeding profile, so therapy is tailored to their individual strengths, needs and family goals.
Our approach is guided by responsive feeding principles, recognising that children thrive when they feel safe, supported and actively involved in mealtimes. Rather than using pressure or rewards to encourage eating, therapy focuses on building trust, supporting skill development and creating positive experiences with food.
Sessions are child-centred, engaging and evidence-based, helping children develop new eating skills in a supportive environment. Therapy may include food exploration, oral motor skill development, sensory supports and practical mealtime coaching, always progressing at a pace that feels achievable for your child.
Parents are an essential part of the therapy process. We’ll provide realistic strategies that fit naturally into your family’s daily routines, helping you create enjoyable mealtimes and support your child’s progress at home.
Where appropriate, we also work collaboratively with other members of your child’s healthcare team, including paediatricians, dietitians, occupational therapists and other professionals, to ensure therapy is coordinated and tailored to your child’s individual needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my child a fussy eater?
Many children go through phases of picky eating, but persistent feeding difficulties, significant food refusal or a very limited diet may benefit from professional assessment. A feeding assessment can help determine whether your child’s feeding is developing as expected and identify ways to support more positive mealtimes.
Should I make my child eat foods they don't like?
Pressure often increases stress around food and can make feeding challenges more difficult. Instead, therapy focuses on creating positive opportunities for children to explore food, build confidence and develop new skills at a pace that feels safe and achievable.
Can feeding therapy help sensory-eaters?
Yes. Many children experience sensory preferences that influence the foods they feel comfortable eating. Therapy helps children gradually build confidence exploring different foods while respecting their individual sensory needs and supporting positive mealtime experiences.
What is responsive feeding?
Responsive feeding is an approach that supports children to develop a positive relationship with food while recognising and responding to their individual hunger, fullness, sensory and developmental cues. Rather than focusing on getting children to eat more, responsive feeding aims to create enjoyable, low-pressure mealtimes where children can gradually build confidence, develop new skills and expand the variety of foods they accept.
Can parents be involved in feeding therapy?
Absolutely. Parents are one of the most important members of the therapy team. We’ll work closely with you to understand your family’s goals and provide practical, realistic strategies that fit naturally into your daily routines, helping you support your child’s progress beyond the therapy room.
How long will my child need feeding therapy?
Every child progresses differently. The length of therapy depends on your child’s strengths, goals and the factors contributing to their feeding difficulties. Regular home practice and consistently using the strategies discussed during therapy can have a significant impact on your child’s progress. Following an assessment, we’ll discuss recommendations that are tailored to your child’s individual needs and your family’s priorities.
Ready to take the next step?
If you’re concerned about your child’s eating, drinking or mealtime experiences, or simply want reassurance that they’re developing appropriate feeding skills, we’d love to help. Together, we can better understand your child’s feeding strengths and challenges, and develop an individualised plan that supports positive, enjoyable and confident mealtimes for the whole family.