What can I expect in a feeding evaluation?

Breastfeeding evaluation:

• A detailed interview and history about the issues you are experiencing

• Oral motor assessment, in which sucking and oral structures are examined

• Motor/body assessment, to pick up on any difficulties that may be contributing to feeding issues

• Observation of breastfeeding, with assistance provided for latch and positioning strategies

• Pre and post weights to estimate transfer of milk

• Review of home program tailored to you and your baby’s specific needs.  You will also be given a written care plan, sent digitally (via email or text) following your visit.

• Discussion of recommended next steps

  
  

Bottle feeding evaluation:

• Detailed interview/history

• Oral motor assessment

• Motor/body assessment, to pick up on any difficulties that may be contributing to feeding issues

• Observation of bottle feeding, with potential trial of different feeding tools as deemed necessary

• Baseline weight

• Review of home program, written care plan following visit (provided via email or secure text)

• Discussion of next steps

  
  

Evaluation for children transitioning to solids or from tube to oral feeds:

• Detailed interview/history

• Prior to your evaluation, it is recommended that you keep track of your child’s intake for 2-3 days, i.e. a food/drink log

• Observation of a feeding.  Videos can be very helpful for “slow to warm” toddlers, who may not perform as they normally do with a new person observing them.

• Motor/body assessment, to pick up on any difficulties that may be contributing to feeding issues

• For feeding observation, please prepare and bring (if coming to office) foods that you know your child easily accepts and others that you know he/she refuses or has difficulty managing.

• Oral motor assessment

• Trial therapy to assess what approaches your child might best respond to in feeding treatment

• Review of home program, written care plan to follow visit (provided via email/secure text)

• Discussion of recommended next steps

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Evaluation pre or post frenotomy:

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• Detailed interview/history

• Observation of feeding, including all elements of breast/bottle or solids feeding evaluation listed above

• Review of what to expect day of and after procedure

• If post frenotomy, review of baby or toddler friendly wound management strategies (if applicable)

  
  

How long does therapy take?

Most clients are "in and out" in a few sessions, often needing only the initial evaluation and one or two follow-ups. However, some feeding problems are very complex in nature and necessitate more intense follow-up.  For infants with weight gain concerns, for example, several follow-ups may be necessary to check whether the plan of care is working well and to update it as needed.   For others, the home program given at the evaluation may be sufficient to resolve feeding difficulties.  Some children may benefit from weekly sessions to make the fastest progress.  We can discuss the best option for you!

How long are therapy sessions?

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Evaluations are generally 1.5-2 hours in length.   Treatment sessions are 45 minutes to 1 hour.