Pediatric Feeding Therapy
Norwood, Hingham & Surrounding Areas
Feeding is about more than nutrition; it’s about comfort, connection, and participation
in everyday routines.
Children may experience feeding challenges for many different reasons, including differences in sensory processing, oral motor skills, medical history, or past experiences with eating. At South Shore Therapies, we take a child-led, neurodiversity-affirming approach, supporting each child in building a positive and safe relationship with food. We also provide early feeding support for infants and toddlers to help build strong, developmentally supportive foundations from the start.
How Can We Support Your Child?
Our therapists work collaboratively with families to support feeding in ways that feel respectful, responsive, and individualized.
We may support your child with:
- Oral motor skills
Building strength, coordination, and control for chewing, drinking,
and managing foods safely - Sensory processing & food exploration
Supporting comfort with different textures, tastes, temperatures, and smells - Expanding food variety
Gently increasing flexibility and willingness to interact with new or
non-preferred foods - Mealtime participation
Supporting engagement in family meals and daily routines - Postural strength & stability
Building core strength, endurance, and body control to support sitting, feeding,
and play - Early feeding (infants & toddlers)
Supporting bottle feeding, breastfeeding, transition to solids, and early mealtime experiences
Our Approach
We begin by building trust. A safe, supportive relationship is the foundation for helping children build comfort and confidence with food.
Our approach includes:
- Play-based, low-pressure food exploration
- Sensory integration-informed strategies
- Respect for a child’s cues, autonomy, and pace
- Gradual exposure through approaches such as Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) feeding and Get Permission
- Collaboration with caregivers to support success at home
We focus on helping children feel safe with food first; skills and variety grow
from there.
What Feeding Therapy May Look Like
Feeding sessions are individualized to each child. Therapy may include play, exploration, and interaction with food in a variety of ways,
always without pressure to eat.
Progress may look like:
- Increased comfort being around and interacting with food
- Expanding accepted foods over time
- Improved oral motor skills for chewing and swallowing
- More positive and less stressful mealtime experiences
Every step forward is meaningful, and progress looks different for every child.
Evaluations & Individualized Care
We begin by getting to know your child through a free intake call with a member of our clinical team. If recommended, we move forward with an evaluation where we may assess:
- Oral motor skills and coordination
- Oral sensory processing
- Current food repertoire
- Mealtime routines and environment
- Feeding history and medical factors
From there, we create an individualized plan that supports both the child and family. Caregiver involvement is a key part of the process,
with ongoing guidance and strategies for home.
When To Reach Out
Feeding differences can show up in many ways. You might consider support if your child:
- Has challenges when introducing solids
- Eats a very limited range of foods
- Avoids certain textures, temperatures, or food groups
- Becomes upset or anxious around mealtimes
- Has difficulty chewing, swallowing, or managing food
- Frequently gags, coughs, or pockets food
Not every child needs a diagnosis to benefit from support. If you’re unsure, we’re happy to talk through your concerns.
Partnering With Families
Caregivers are an essential part of feeding therapy. We prioritize collaboration, education, and realistic strategies that fit into your daily routines.
Get in Touch
We’re here to support your child’s feeding journey with compassion and expertise. If you have questions or would like to learn more, reach out to our team to get started.