Becoming a mother is one of the biggest transformations a woman may go through in her lifetime. It's blissful and messy all at the same time. A mother's first job is feeding her baby… and it doesn't always come as naturally as expected.
Proper feeding during infancy lays the groundwork for proper oral function in the future. Our team of specialists collaborates closely with families, crafting a nurturing environment tailored to the child's unique needs. In-house board-certified lactation support is available to families with breast and bottle-fed babies. Consultations and follow-ups are performed in a calm and quiet nursing room.
Whether your child faces sensory aversions, swallowing difficulties, or other feeding challenges, we're here to help guide you. While the name is misleading, CCC-SLPs and occupational therapists provide the support toddlers need, and the best part is they can also work on speech and language development with them! Often, the two challenges go hand in hand. We make lessons enjoyable with our interactive exercises and friendly, caring team and warm environment.
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Why should I choose Feeding Therapy for my child?
Choosing Feeding Therapy for your child means embracing a multifaceted approach to address eating challenges. At the heart of our program is a personalized approach, ensuring that every child's unique needs are addressed. We pride ourselves on employing evidence-based techniques that are supported by extensive research, offering the most effective solutions for each individual child. We also understand the invaluable role parents play in a child's development, so we emphasize parental involvement, empowering families with the knowledge and tools they need to assist their children outside the therapy sessions. Additionally, our commitment to holistic care means we don't just focus on the act of eating; we look at your child's overall well-being, considering emotional, psychological, and physical aspects. In essence, Feeding Therapy isn't just about food; it's about transforming mealtime experiences and enhancing your child's overall quality of life.
Did you know…
A Hidden Problem
Feeding Therapy fosters communication, motor skills, and emotional growth.
Source: National Library of Medicine
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The Benefits of Feeding Therapy
Better Nutritional Intake
One of the primary goals of Feeding Therapy is to diversify and improve a child's diet. By addressing food aversions or sensory sensitivities, therapists can help expand the variety of foods a child is willing to eat. This leads to a more balanced and nutritional diet, ensuring that the child receives all the essential vitamins and minerals needed for healthy growth and development.
Boosted Self-Esteem
Struggling with feeding issues can often lead to feelings of frustration and low self-esteem for children. Through Feeding Therapy, children learn techniques and strategies to overcome their challenges, leading to a sense of accomplishment. As they master new skills, their confidence in their abilities grows, promoting a positive self-image.
Strengthened Parent-Child Bond
Meal times can be stressful for families dealing with feeding challenges. Feeding Therapy not only equips children with the skills they need to eat a wider variety of foods but also educates parents on how to support their child. As mealtime challenges decrease, families can enjoy more relaxed and bonding meal experiences, reinforcing a positive family dynamic.
The Collaborative Treatment Process
Initial Assessment
The first step in collaborative care is a comprehensive assessment. This involves a detailed evaluation of the child's current oral habits - looking at feeding, mouth posture, sleep and speech. We look at challenges, successes and overall health. The collaborative care team will work together to find the most appropriate treatment sequence for your child. This foundational step ensures a tailored treatment plan that addresses the unique needs of each child.
Customized Treatment Plan
Based on the initial assessment, Dr. Ozzie will collaborate with the appropriate therapist to design a personalized treatment plan. This plan will outline specific techniques and strategies that will be used to address your child's specific challenges. It may include feeding therapy, sensory integration techniques, myofunctional therapy, behavioral interventions, and more. This plan also sets clear goals and milestones. The team will set clear goals and milestones to be able to track your child's progress.
Therapy
With a treatment plan in place, regular therapy sessions commence. These sessions can vary in frequency and duration, depending on your child's needs. During these sessions, your therapist will work towards goals - whether it is infant feeding, managing food aversions, oral posture, speech challenges, etc. Parents are also trained on how to support their child's journey at home. Continuous feedback and adjustments are made to ensure your child is progressing towards their goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do myofunctional therapy exercises look like?
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Think of myofunctional therapy as physical therapy for the face. It’s provided by a trained professional on our team who evaluates you or your child’s condition and creates a custom treatment plan designed to retrain the face muscles and improve their function. The treatment will depend on the condition of the patient, but some exercises used can include:
- Tongue touches
- Pushing the tip of the tongue against the hard palate.
- Teeth touching
- Putting the back of the tongue against the roof while keeping the tip pressing against the bottom front teeth
- Party horn
- Blowing through a party horn for a few times to help control these facial movements
- Balloon inflation
- Breathing in through the nose, and breathing out through the mouth to inflate a balloon
- Sucking through a straw
- Using a narrow straw to suck on a more dense liquid, such as a smoothie or yogurt, etc.
Myofunctional therapy is not painful or dangerous. It’s only meant to help you or your child learn how to use facial and oral muscles properly!
What issues can myofunctional therapy treat?
Myofunctional therapy can help address some abnormal movement patterns of the face or mouth, which can be caused by:
- Unusual tongue position-
Prolonged sucking or chewing habits
- Blocked nasal passages
The exercises used are designed to re-train the muscles, nerves, and brain on how to properly move. Often, it can be an effective strategy to treat:
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Speech disorders
- Improper eating functions
- Tongue thrust
Are there any potential side effects or risks associated with Feeding Therapy?
Feeding Therapy is generally a safe and non-invasive approach to addressing feeding challenges. However, like any therapeutic intervention, it's essential to ensure the therapy is tailored to the child's unique needs. On rare occasions, a child might initially become more resistant or anxious, especially if introduced to new foods or techniques too quickly. This is why it's crucial to work with experienced professionals who can adjust the therapy pace and approach based on the child's comfort and responsiveness. Regular communication between the therapist, dentist, child, and parents is vital in ensuring a positive and effective therapy experience.
What are common signs that may indicate a need for myofunctional therapy?
Signs that you or your child may need myofunctional therapy can include:
- Facial pain
- Mouth breathing
- Teeth-grinding
- Tongue thrusting
- Stomach issues (caused by improper chewing)
- Speech difficulties
- Sleep apnea
How long does a typical Feeding Therapy session last?
The duration of a Feeding Therapy session can vary based on the child's individual needs and the specific challenges they're facing. Generally, sessions can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. It's essential to ensure the child remains comfortable and engaged throughout the session, so some days might be shorter, while others could be more extended, especially if they're making significant progress or undergoing intensive therapy.
When should I consider Feeding Therapy for my child?
Consideration for Feeding Therapy often stems from noticeable challenges or concerns related to your child's eating habits. This might include refusal to eat certain food groups, difficulty in swallowing, gagging or choking frequently, slow weight gain, or a general aversion to eating or mealtime. It's always a good idea to consult with a lip and tongue tie specialist if you notice these or other feeding-related challenges in your child. They can provide guidance on whether Feeding Therapy would be beneficial.
WHAT DO CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH OROFACIAL MYOFUNCTIONAL DISORDERS (OMDs) STRUGGLE WITH?
Symptoms include:
- Mouth Breathing
- Snoring & Sleep Apnea
- Malocclusion
- Speech Impediments
- Tongue Thrust
- Picky / Messy Eating
- Improper Swallow
- Poor Posture
- Oral Habits (digit sucking, pacifier use after certain age, etc.)
- Drooling
- Low Tongue Posture
We are pleased to offer myofunctional therapies to help address these challenges within our practice and with our outside collaborative partners. After all, a child that has been tethered their whole life and has recently been released needs help “unlearning” old habits, and creating new, positive ones!
What is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is a highly effective individualized program used to treat incorrect patterns of muscle functions used for swallowing, breathing and chewing to help maintain a healthy orofacial environment.
It aims to support proper growth and development of the orofacial complex, stabilize dental and/or orthodontic treatment, help improve the production of speech patterns and sounds, and it can even enhance a person’s appearance.
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