About our feeding therapy services:

We offer services in our Bexley office to address feeding challenges for infants, toddlers and children. We investigate and treat the root cause of feeding difficulties for your child. We provide lactation support to help you reach your breastfeeding goals and parent coaching to assist with bottle feeding and introduction of solids. We support older children with oral motor skill development and responsive feeding techniques to increase acceptance of new foods. Online feeding services are also available. Let us help you improve mealtime experiences for your child and family!

Is picky eating normal?

Many toddlers go through a picky eating phase while learning to eat. However, 25-45% of children will develop a Pediatric Feeding Disorder and early intervention is critical for future mealtime success. So how do you know if your child needs feeding therapy? If your child demonstrates any of these signs, contact us for a free screening to discuss how we can help.

• Poor weight gain

• Ongoing gagging, coughing or choking

• Avoidance of a particular food group or food texture (i.e. wet, squishy, crunchy, etc.)

• Eats less than 20 foods or drops foods from their repertoire 

• Continued picky eating for more than 6 months

• Difficulty transitioning to purees or table foods

• Food spilling out of the mouth or food pocketing in the cheeks while eating

• Mealtimes are a constant source of stress for caregivers

Does my child have ARFID?

If your child is especially anxious about eating, you may be wondering about ARFID. ARFID, or Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, is a feeding disturbance that may cause an apparent lack of interest in food or eating, avoidance of foods based on their sensory characteristics, or worrying about bad things that may happen due to eating (i.e. choking, vomiting, tummy upset, etc.). ARFID is diagnosed by a psychologist and often requires Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to treat the anxiety behind the feeding disturbance. Up to 55% of children with ARFID, may also present with generalized anxiety disorders.

If you suspect ARFID, it is important to have a full feeding assessment to determine if there are any other underlying causes of the feeding difficulties. We are specially trained to identify and address root causes, then use a combination of behavioral feeding therapy and responsive feeding techniques to help make changes in your child's diet. Contact us to schedule an assessment today.

What about tongue tie?

Special training in Tethered Oral Tissues allows us to assist with pre- and post- frenectomy care, improving oral motor function to optimize milk transfer and early feeding skills. We will work with you to develop a multi-disciplinary team to ensure the best outcome for your child.

Calling all preschoolers! Join us for Dr. Yum's Food Adventure!

Does your preschooler need a little encouragement to try new foods? Do they enjoy helping in the kitchen? Join us for Dr. Yum's Food Adventure to learn about the power of food with this evidence-based, interactive curriculum designed to help overcome the challenges of selective eaters! Led by a speech-language pathologist/feeding specialist, this class features multi-sensory lessons introducing the superpowers of fruits and vegetables to help keep your body healthy and strong. Register now for summer groups!