Infant Feeding Therapy

Infant Feeding Therapy

Infant feeding therapy provided by occupational therapists focuses on addressing feeding difficulties that infants may experience, such as challenges with latching, sucking, swallowing, or transitioning to solid foods. Occupational therapists use a holistic approach to assess and treat these issues, considering the infant’s developmental stage, medical history, and family dynamics. They may incorporate methodologies such as Beckman Oral Motor Therapy, which involves specific oral motor exercises designed to improve strength and coordination of the muscles used for feeding. Additionally, therapists provide support for breastfeeding difficulties and bottle training, helping infants develop effective feeding and improve overall nutritional intake. The therapy aims to ensure that feeding is a positive experience for both the infant and their caregivers, promoting healthy growth and development while preventing potential complications related to feeding disorders.

Tiffany Adkins, OTR/L, IBCLC uses a comprehensive approach to assess your infants’ feeding needs in addition to their oral motor function and feeding abilites. Tiffany is well trained in breastfeeding targeting latching, swallowing, cheek utilization, and efficiency. She is able to determine potential deficits such as tongue and/or lip ties in addition to providing the best treatment outcome possible.

Beckman Oral Motor Protocol uses assisted movement and stretch reflexes to quantify response to pressure and movement, range, strength, variety, and movement control for the lips, cheeks, jaw, tongue, and soft palate.

The assessment is based on clinically defined functional parameters of minimal competence and does not require the cognitive participation of the individual. The protocol is used with children experiencing various challenges: infants with failure to thrive, excessive drooling, oral hypersensitivity (gagging and tooth brushing difficulty), and tooth grinding.

The Beckman Oral Motor is also used for transition skills needed to move from the breast or bottle to utensils and from pureed foods to regular textured foods.

Learn more at www.beckmanoralmotor.com.