Feeding Difficulties

Helping your child eat safely and confidently

Smiling young boy in animal-print shirt sits at a table while a masked pediatric therapist assists with his bandaged hand during a meal session

Understanding Feeding Difficulties

Feeding difficulties can make mealtime stressful for children and families. Some children struggle to chew, swallow or tolerate certain textures, while others have medical or developmental conditions that make eating challenging.

At Mary Free Bed Kids, our specialists evaluate and treat children who have difficulty eating or drinking so they can enjoy safe, nutritious meals and grow strong. Whether your child’s challenges stem from a medical condition, sensory aversion or developmental delay, our goal is to help them build the skills and confidence needed for successful feeding.

Signs Your Child May Need Feeding Support

Every child’s feeding journey is unique. However, if you notice any of the following signs, your child may benefit from a professional feeding evaluation:

Arching or stiffening of the body during feeding
Irritability or lack of alertness while eating
Difficulty accepting new textures or types of food
Feeding times that last longer than 30 minutes
Excessive drooling or leaking food and liquid from the mouth
Wet, hoarse or breathy voice after meals
Coughing, gagging or vomiting during or after eating
Frequent respiratory infections or pneumonia
Trouble coordinating breathing with eating or drinking
Pocketing food in the mouth for long periods
Poor weight gain or growth

If you recognize any of these signs, our pediatric feeding specialists can help. A physician’s referral is required to begin feeding treatment.

Mary Free Bed occupational therapist guiding a young boy with glasses through a pediatric feeding therapy session

A pediatric occupational therapist smiles at a young boy with glasses during a feeding therapy session at Mary Free Bed

Our Approach to Feeding Therapy

At Mary Free Bed Kids, our approach is family-centered. Our multidisciplinary team includes speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and registered dietitians, all working together to develop strategies tailored to your child’s specific needs. Within our ARFID Program, we partner with psychology to best support our patients and their families.

Our goals include:

Improving feeding skills for safety and efficiency
Enhancing oral-motor coordination and strength
Reducing mealtime stress and aversion
Building comfort with new textures and foods
Supporting healthy growth and nutrition
Empowering families with tools for success at home

Together, we’ll help your child make progress that lasts—one bite, sip and smile at a time.

Comprehensive Services

Depending on your child’s needs, we may recommend one or more of the following evaluations and therapies as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Oral Motor Evaluation

Your child’s journey begins with a clinical feeding evaluation completed by a specially trained speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist. This includes:

A detailed review of your child’s medical history
Input from other healthcare providers
Observation of feeding behaviors and skills
Recommendations for safe positioning and textures.

When needed, a registered dietitian provides additional nutrition support to ensure your child’s dietary needs are met

Mary Free Bed pediatric occupational therapist smiling while consulting with a child and parent at a therapy table

Smiling infant with Down syndrome seated in a green adaptive positioning chair during pediatric therapy at Mary Free Bed

Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS)

This specialized test provides a real-time X-ray view of how your child swallows. It helps our team see what happens inside the mouth and throat during eating or drinking and identify any aspiration (when food or liquid enters the airway).

VFSS studies are available at the Mary Free Bed Grand Rapids Campus, with same-day initial results and treatment recommendations. Ongoing therapy can then continue at Mary Free Bed Kids – Holland or other convenient locations.

Feeding Therapy

Feeding therapy is at the heart of what we do. Our therapists use research-based strategies and a compassionate, family-centered approach to improve your child’s ability to eat safely and confidently.

We collaborate with community partners such as WIC, Early On, schools, specialty clinics, VNA and referring physicians to create a coordinated plan that supports your child across all environments.

Therapy may focus on:

Decreasing oral defensiveness and food aversion
Introducing new textures and food varieties
Improving oral motor strength and coordination
Teaching safe and efficient swallowing
Adjusting positioning to promote safety and comfort
Modifying diets for improved respiratory and digestive health
Empowering families with education and feeding strategies

Each child’s plan is tailored to their abilities and goals, with progress monitored closely by our team.