Feeding issues are common among children of all ages, and it’s essential to seek early intervention to prevent potential complications. Feeding therapy can help your child develop healthy eating habits, improve their nutritional status, and enhance their overall well-being.
If your child is struggling with feeding issues, here’s how therapy can help improve their life.
Evaluate Your Child’s Feeding Difficulties
Feeding therapy (FT) begins with an evaluation of your child’s feeding difficulties. The feeding therapist will assess your child’s behavior during meals, oral motor skills, sensory processing, and nutritional status. The evaluation aims to identify the underlying cause of your child’s feeding issues and develop an individualized feeding plan that suits your child’s needs.
Develop Healthy Eating Habits
FT can help your child develop healthy eating habits. By addressing your child’s feeding difficulties early, it prevents potential complications such as malnutrition, dehydration, and weight loss.
Therapy at Feeding Fundamentals, LLC helps children develop healthy eating habits and encourages positive attitudes toward food. This helps to ensure that your child develops a healthy relationship with food, which improves their overall well-being in the long run.
Improve Nutritional Status
Therapy can help improve your child’s nutritional status. Children with feeding issues often avoid healthy, nutrient-dense foods. This may result in nutrient deficiencies that can affect their growth and development.
FT helps children with feeding difficulties to expand their food choices and introduce new foods gradually. This helps to improve their overall nutritional status, and they receive the essential nutrients required for growth and development.
Enhance Oral Motor Skills
Children with feeding difficulties often have poor oral motor skills. They may struggle to chew, swallow, or coordinate their mouth and tongue movements. Feeding therapy includes exercises that improve oral motor skills. This helps children develop stronger oral muscles, making it easier for them to eat and drink safely.
