Infant Feeding Therapy

Individualized infant and child feeding therapy in Pasadena – and in your home.

Feeding a baby or young child is one of the most fundamental acts of early life. When it becomes a source of stress, that matters.

Infant and child feeding therapy addresses the underlying reasons a child may struggle to feed, whether by breast, bottle, or both. Difficulties with latching, swallowing, pacing, weight gain, tongue ties, or comfort during feeds aren’t always outgrown. With the right evaluation and support, they can be understood and treated.

At Oak Grove, feeding therapy is grounded in evidence-based clinical practice and shaped by years of experience with complex, high-acuity patients in a leading pediatric NICU. Every evaluation is individualized. Every plan is built around your child and your family.

If something doesn't feel right, trust that instinct. We're here to help.

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What to Expect

Infant feeding therapy at Oak Grove begins with a comprehensive evaluation — a detailed look at how your baby feeds, not just what's going wrong.

This includes a review of your child's medical and feeding history, observation of a feeding session, and assessment of the oral structures and motor patterns.

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Depending on your child’s needs, evaluation may involve:

  • Oral Mechanism Exam

    Examining the structures, strength, coordination, and movement patterns of the lips, tongue, and jaw

  • Feeding Observation

    Assessing latch (if needed), bottle mechanics, oral motor skills, intake across multiple textures (if needed), and the overall feeding dynamic between caregiver and child

  • Swallowing Assessment

    Evaluating the safety and efficiency of your child's swallow, and identifying any signs of aspiration or safety concern

  • Referral for Instrumental Assessment

    In some cases, a videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) or similar evaluation may be recommended in coordination with the primary care provider

Treatment

From there, treatment is tailored to your child's specific presentation and may include oral-motor therapy, sensory-based feeding approaches, paced-feeding techniques, caregiver coaching, and ongoing progress monitoring.

Every plan is designed to be collaborative. You'll always understand what we're doing, why we're doing it, and what progress looks like.

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Ready to get started?

If you're concerned about how your child is feeding, you don't have to wait and wonder. Start with a free call — we'll talk through what you're seeing and whether Oak Grove is the right fit for your family.

Request a free call