Feeding Therapy: Signs to Look For in Infants and Toddlers
Every parent wants mealtimes to be peaceful, but sometimes feeding becomes a daily struggle. Whether it’s an infant who can’t seem to latch or a toddler who only eats five foods, feeding challenges can leave parents feeling frustrated and concerned. The good news? These are not problems you have to face alone. Feeding therapy can help children build the skills they need to eat, grow, and thrive.
At OroGlow, we specialize in helping families get to the root of feeding challenges, so you can finally feel confident in your child’s progress. Here’s how to recognize the signs in both infants and toddlers.
Signs Your Infant May Need Feeding Therapy
Feeding issues in infants often show up early, and they can sometimes be dismissed as “normal.” But if these challenges persist, they may be red flags that your baby needs extra support:
Clicking while feeding – This can signal that your baby isn’t maintaining suction during breastfeeding or bottle feeding, often due to tongue or oral muscle issues.
Poor latch – A shallow or inconsistent latch not only makes feeding stressful but also prevents your baby from getting the nutrition they need.
Reflux symptoms – Frequent spit-up, arching of the back, or discomfort after feeding can be tied to oral motor difficulties or inefficient swallowing.
If you’re noticing these patterns, feeding therapy can make a world of difference—helping your baby build stronger oral motor skills and making mealtimes smoother for both of you.
Signs Your Toddler May Need Feeding Therapy
As babies grow into toddlers, feeding concerns often shift from latching to eating habits and sensory sensitivities. Look out for these signs:
Eating fewer than 20 foods – A very limited diet may point to oral motor delays or sensory sensitivities around textures and flavors.
Sensory responses – Gagging at certain textures, refusing foods based on appearance, or only eating crunchy or soft foods are signs of sensory feeding challenges.
Messy, inconsistent eating – Struggling to chew, pocketing food in the cheeks, or messy swallowing may indicate underdeveloped oral motor skills.
Feeding therapy gives toddlers the tools to expand their diets, reduce mealtime stress, and build healthier eating habits for the future.
Why Choose Feeding Therapy at OroGlow
Our approach to feeding therapy is rooted in patience, encouragement, and getting to the root cause—not just treating the symptom. Whether it’s helping an infant strengthen their latch or guiding a toddler to try new foods, we create a plan tailored to your child’s unique needs.
With consistent support, families often see transformations that go beyond mealtime: children become more confident, parents feel empowered, and the whole household breathes a little easier.
Learn more about our feeding therapy services here.
Bringing Joy Back to Mealtime
Feeding challenges can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. If your infant or toddler is showing signs like clicking, poor latch, reflux, sensory sensitivities, or limited food acceptance, it may be time to explore feeding therapy. Early intervention makes all the difference—helping your child build lifelong, positive habits around eating.
At OroGlow, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
OroGlow Myofunctional & Speech Services provides expert feeding therapy in Abilene, TX, for infants and toddlers struggling with poor latch, reflux, clicking sounds, sensory sensitivities, picky eating, and growth concerns. Discover how OroGlow helps children build healthier feeding skills and families enjoy stress-free mealtimes.