Helping babies and children build safe, confident, and flexible eating skills.

At Growing Milestones Pediatric Therapy, feeding therapy supports children who struggle with chewing, swallowing, food variety, texture sensitivity, or mealtime stress. As a pediatric Occupational Therapist trained in the Beckman Oral Motor Protocol and the SOS Feeding Approach, I address both the mechanics of eating and the sensory, developmental, and emotional factors that influence mealtimes.

Feeding therapy is gentle, playful, and individualized — always centered on helping your child feel safe, regulated, and confident.

Who May Benefit from Feeding Therapy?

Your child may benefit if you notice:

• Difficulty chewing or swallowing

• Gagging, vomiting, or pocketing food

• Trouble moving food side to side

• Weak lip closure or difficulty using a straw

• Difficulty transitioning from bottle to cup or purées to solids

• Eating fewer than 10–15 foods

• Avoiding entire food groups

• Sensitivity to textures, smells, or temperatures

• Anxiety, tantrums, or distress during meals

• Long or stressful mealtimes

Two Core Areas of Feeding Support

1️⃣ Oral Motor & Chewing Development

Using the Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, therapy gently strengthens and coordinates the muscles needed for safe and efficient eating.

We work on:

• Lip, tongue, and cheek strength

• Tongue mobility and stability

• Chewing patterns and endurance

• Coordination for safe swallowing

• Postural stability to support feeding

The goal is to help your child build a strong, coordinated mouth for safe and confident eating.

2️⃣ Picky Eating & Food Exploration

For children who avoid foods due to sensory sensitivities or anxiety, we use the SOS Feeding Approach and sensory integration principles.

Through child-led, no-pressure experiences, we support:

• Tolerating new foods on the plate

• Exploring textures through play

• Moving gradually from touching → smelling → tasting → eating

• Expanding accepted foods

• Reducing mealtime stress

• Building positive routines at home

The goal is not simply “trying a new food,” but helping your child feel calm, curious, and confident at mealtimes.

A Holistic Occupational Therapy Approach

Feeding is never just about food.

As an Occupational Therapist, I also assess and support:

• Sensory processing and regulation

• Posture and core stability

• Fine motor skills for self-feeding

• Developmental readiness

• Emotional and behavioral factors

• Parent coaching and home carryover

By addressing the whole child, we create sustainable progress that feels manageable for families.

What Makes Feeding Therapy at Growing Milestones Different?

Your child receives:

• OT-led oral motor expertise

• Sensory integration-informed treatment

• SOS Feeding training

• Individualized, strength-based planning

• A gentle, supportive, no-pressure environment

• Parent education and clear home strategies

Together, we create positive mealtime experiences that reduce stress and help your child build real food flexibility — one small step at a time.