Feeding Therapy for Children: Overcoming Mealtime Challenges

For many families, mealtime is supposed to be a time of connection, laughter, and sharing. But when a child struggles with feeding—whether refusing foods, gagging, or eating only a very limited diet—mealtime can quickly become stressful. Parents often find themselves asking: “Is this just picky eating, or something more?”

At Chatham Speech & Myo, we specialize in feeding therapy for children, helping families transform stressful mealtimes into positive, nourishing experiences. Our licensed speech-language pathologists work with children of all ages to address feeding difficulties with patience, creativity, and evidence-based strategies.

Why Feeding Therapy Matters for Children

Feeding isn’t just about nutrition—it’s about growth, development, and social connection. When children avoid foods or struggle to chew and swallow, it can affect everything from their physical health to their confidence at school and social events.

Feeding therapy helps children:

• Expand food choices beyond “safe” foods

• Improve chewing and swallowing skills

• Reduce stress and anxiety around mealtimes

• Build healthier oral motor patterns

• Develop confidence to try new foods

Our approach is designed to be playful and encouraging, turning challenges into opportunities for progress.

Signs Your Child May Need Feeding Therapy

While many children go through phases of picky eating, some feeding difficulties may signal the need for professional support. You may want to consider an evaluation if your child:

• Eats fewer than 20 foods regularly

• Refuses entire food groups (fruits, vegetables, proteins)

• Gags, coughs, or struggles with chewing/swallowing

• Avoids new foods consistently

• Has ongoing mealtime battles that cause stress for the whole family

• Is not gaining weight or meeting growth milestones

Final Thoughts: Turning Mealtime Struggles into Success

Mealtime doesn’t have to be a battle. With the right support, children can learn to enjoy food, expand their diets, and develop the oral motor skills they need for lifelong health.

At Chatham Speech & Myo, our mission is to make mealtimes easier, healthier, and happier—for both children and their families.

How Chatham Speech & Myo Helps Families

At Chatham Speech & Myo, we provide feeding therapy, tailored to each child’s unique needs. Our therapy may include:

• Oral motor therapy to improve the function of the chewing and swallowing muscles

• Sensory-based feeding therapy to reduce aversion to textures and tastes

• Parent coaching and strategies to make mealtimes smoother at home

• Collaborative care with pediatricians, nutritionists, and other specialists when needed

In addition to feeding therapy, we also provide a full range of speech-language pathology services, including:

• Child speech therapy for articulation, fluency, and language development

• Stuttering treatment and fluency therapy for children and teens

• Swallowing therapy for safe and efficient oral function

• Literacy support for children struggling with reading and comprehension

• Myofunctional therapy in Chatham, NJ for tongue thrust, airway health, and oral posture

Local Expertise, Personal Care

Families across Summit, Chatham, and Madison, NJ trust our team of certified speech-language pathologists to provide compassionate and effective care. Whether you’re searching for “feeding therapy near me” or seeking help from a licensed speech pathologist in New Jersey, we’re here to support your child’s journey.

📞 Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and learn how feeding therapy in Chatham NJ can help your child overcome mealtime challenges and thrive.