When Should I Ask for Help? Knowing When It’s Time to See a Feeding Therapist
As parents, we are our children’s first and most important teachers—especially when it comes to feeding. You model meals, introduce new foods, and read all the right blogs and books. But sometimes, despite your best efforts, mealtimes remain stressful, progress is slow (or stalled), and you begin to wonder: Is this something more?
Let’s talk about how to know when it's time to seek support from a feeding therapist—and why in-person, individualized therapy can make all the difference.
🚩 Signs It’s Time to Ask for Help
While every child develops differently, here are some signs that it might be time to bring in a professional:
Prolonged bottle or breastfeeding struggles (refusing feeds, arching, coughing, slow weight gain)
Refusal to eat a wide variety of foods past age 12–18 months
Chronic gagging, vomiting, or choking during meals
Picky eating that’s getting worse, not better, even with home strategies
Extreme anxiety or behavioral battles around food or mealtimes
Reliance on only purees or only crunchy foods with no signs of expanding textures
Feeding has become a source of daily stress for your family
Medical complexities or a history of NICU stay that might impact feeding development
If you’ve tried common techniques (like modeling, offering choices, or fun food play) and your child is still struggling, it may be time to go deeper.
🧠 Feeding Is a Skill—And Sometimes, It's More Than Just Behavior
Feeding involves sensory processing, motor coordination, emotional regulation, and oral-motor skills. If any one of those systems is delayed, immature, or overwhelmed, feeding becomes frustrating—for both the child and the parent.
This is where a trained feeding therapist comes in. We can determine why a child is refusing food—and whether the root is sensory, behavioral, medical, or motor-based.
🧑⚕️ Why In-Person Support Makes a Difference
You can read all the right advice, but sometimes real progress requires hands-on guidance. Here’s why working with an in-person feeding therapist can help:
Tailored strategies: Every child is unique. What worked for your neighbor’s toddler may not work for yours. We assess your child’s strengths and needs to build a plan just for them.
Live coaching for YOU: As a parent, you’re doing the heavy lifting. In therapy, we model feeding techniques andcoach you through real-time adjustments.
Multi-sensory exposure: Feeding therapy isn’t just about eating—it’s about play, exploration, and experience. We create safe spaces for kids to get messy, try new things, and learn that food isn’t scary.
Collaborative care: We often coordinate with pediatricians, lactation consultants, occupational therapists, and GI specialists to ensure your child gets the comprehensive support they need
❤️ You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone
If you’re worried about your child’s feeding skills, trust your gut. You know them best. A free consultation can help you decide whether therapy is right for your family—and what the next steps might look like.
At Little Eaters & Talkers, we work with babies, toddlers, and young children with feeding challenges—from bottle refusal and reflux to sensory-based picky eating and beyond.
📅 Book a Free Consultation
📍 Serving families in person in Houston and virtually for select cases.
