Supporting nourishment and development from the start.
Feeding Therapy & Starting Solids
Feeding is a complex process involving motor skills, sensory experiences, and emotional connections. At Milk & Milestones, I support infants and toddlers who face varied challenges with eating, as well as teach families how to safely and enjoyably introduce babies to solid foods. Let’s make eating fun!
Understanding Feeding Challenges
Feeding difficulties can arise from various factors, including:
Oral-motor delays or disorders affecting sucking, chewing, or swallowing.
Physical differences such as a cleft palate or tongue tie.
Sensory aversions to textures, tastes, temperatures.
Medical conditions such as reflux or allergies.
Behavioral issues related to feeding routines.
Limited exposure to various types or consistencies of food.
My Approach
Therapy sessions are tailored to each child's unique needs and may include:
Comprehensive Assessments: Evaluating oral-motor skills, sensory responses, and feeding behaviors.
Individualized Treatment Plans: Setting achievable goals to improve feeding skills and routines.
Family Involvement: Educating and supporting caregivers to implement strategies at home.
Collaboration with Healthcare Providers: Working as a team alongside pediatricians, dietitians, and other specialists as needed.
Introducing Solid Foods
Starting solids is an exciting milestone, but it can also be anxiety-inducing for some new parents. In addition to traditional feeding therapy, Milk & Milestones offers classes and coaching using a modified baby-led weaning approach, which combines the benefits of self-feeding with tailored strategies to ensure safety and developmental appropriateness. This method encourages your baby to explore a variety of textures and flavors at their own pace during family mealtime, promoting independence and fine motor skills while fostering a positive relationship with food. My approach is adaptable to each child's unique needs, ensuring a positive and enjoyable transition to solid foods. Work with me to gain confidence in how and what to feed your baby!
Developmental Feeding Milestones
Awareness of typical feeding milestones can help you prepare for starting solids as well as identify potential concerns:
<6 Months
Improved head and neck control.
Begins to show interest in solid foods by opening mouth and reaching.
6 - 9 Months
Tongue lateralization appears (side to side movement).
Develops the ability to bite and chew soft foods.
Begins to self-feed using palmar grasp (whole hand).
May play with a spoon.
May drink from a cup (open or straw) with assistance.
Gag reflex still present and sensitive.
10 - 12 Months
Uses a pincer grasp (fingers) to pick up small pieces of food.
Eats foods more independently and more often.
Variety of jaw movements when chewing (rotary chew).
Grabs spoon and brings to mouth to bite or suck.
13 - 18 Months
Eats many table foods; chews and swallows without choking.
Can self-feed finger foods.
Emerging success using spoon and fork.
Uses a straw cup independently.
19 - 24 Months
Takes fewer bites and less time to effectively chew and swallow food.
Closes lips when swallowing.
May still need some help with open cups.
3+ Years
Eats wide variety of foods, with fewer and fewer modifications.
Growing proficiency with utensils (may introduce knife at 4+)
Efficient tongue lateralization to move food vs. using fingers etc.
Adult-like chewing skill and bite force not developed til age 9-12
Getting Started
If you have concerns regarding feeding your baby or toddler, I would love to help. Let’s start with a free 15 minute consultation to discuss your unique needs and goals, and we can determine together how to best support you and your family.