Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing: Helping Children Thrive

Supporting Feeding and Swallowing Success in Children

Marigold Speech Pathology Services LLC | Rock County & Walworth County, WI

As parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, we understand that feeding challenges in children can be both frustrating and concerning. Whether it’s a picky eater, an infant struggling with breastfeeding, or a child with swallowing difficulties, these challenges can significantly impact a child’s nutrition, development, and overall well-being.

At Marigold Speech Pathology Services LLC, we are proud to be the leading provider of pediatric feeding and swallowing therapy in Rock County and Walworth County, offering expert, compassionate care to help children thrive during mealtimes.

Why Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Therapy Matters

Feeding and swallowing are complex processes that require the integration of sensory input, motor coordination, and behavioral responses. Challenges in these areas can arise for a variety of reasons, including developmental delays, sensory sensitivities, neurological conditions, or medical complications such as reflux or allergies (Arvedson & Brodsky, 2020).

When left unaddressed, feeding and swallowing issues may lead to:

• Inadequate nutrition

• Poor weight gain or growth delays

• Increased risk of aspiration and respiratory infections

• Emotional stress for both children and caregivers

Early intervention can reduce the risk of long-term complications and help children build safe, functional feeding skills.

Common Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Challenges

At Marigold Speech, we evaluate and treat a wide range of pediatric feeding concerns, including:

🥦 Picky Eating

Children who experience persistent food refusal, extreme food selectivity, or aversion to certain textures and smells may require professional support to ensure adequate nutrition and reduce mealtime stress (Fraker et al., 2007).

🍼 Breastfeeding and Bottle Feeding Difficulties

Feeding issues often begin in infancy and may include difficulties with latching, coordinating sucking and swallowing, or maintaining adequate intake. Therapy can support:

• Positioning and pacing for more efficient feeding

• Nipple and bottle selection when appropriate

• Collaboration with lactation consultants and healthcare providers for comprehensive care (Lau, 2015)

🍽️ Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia)

Signs of swallowing difficulty may include coughing, choking, gagging, or food refusal. Evaluation focuses on safety, efficiency, and age-appropriate skill development (ASHA, 2024).

😬 Oral Aversion

Some children develop significant resistance to oral input due to medical trauma, sensory processing differences, or negative early experiences. Treatment focuses on building trust, increasing oral tolerance, and supporting the development of positive feeding relationships (Arvedson & Brodsky, 2020).

🧃 Tube Feeding Support and Transition to Oral Diet

Some children require tube feeding (via G-tube or NG-tube) for nutrition due to medical, developmental, or oral-motor challenges. At Marigold Speech, we support families through:

• Improving comfort and consistency with gravity or pump feeds

• Assessing readiness for oral intake

• Creating a gradual, child-led transition toward oral feeding when appropriate

Signs of oral readiness may include:

• Interest in food and mealtime routines

• Oral exploration (e.g., mouthing toys, hands)

• Tolerance for small tastes or non-nutritive sucking

Intervention may involve:

• Structured exposure to flavors and textures

• Oral-motor skill development

• Guided mealtime experiences to support safe intake

We work in close collaboration with your child’s medical team, including gastroenterologists and dietitians, to ensure that nutritional needs are met throughout the process. Transitioning from tube to oral feeding is a gradual journey—one we walk together with careful planning and compassionate support (Arvedson & Brodsky, 2020).

Evaluation and Treatment at Marigold

Each child’s journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation. We assess a variety of factors, including:

• Oral-motor development

• Swallowing safety and efficiency

• Sensory processing related to feeding

• Feeding routines and caregiver interactions

Based on the results, we create an individualized treatment plan that aligns with the child’s developmental level, medical needs, and family goals. Therapy may include skill-building, caregiver coaching, and coordinated care with other professionals. Our approach is family-centered, evidence-informed, and focused on real-world outcomes.

Success Stories: Real Results, Real Families

👶 An infant with oral aversion progressed from refusing bottles to accepting purees and eventually transitioning to table foods.

👧 A toddler dependent on tube feedings began accepting oral tastes and gradually moved toward a more typical feeding routine. Now it’s time to remove the feeding tube!

👦 A child with extreme food selectivity and sensory aversions learned to expand his food repertoire, easing mealtime stress for the entire family.

These stories reflect the transformative impact of early, responsive feeding therapy.

Get Help Today

If your child is experiencing feeding or swallowing challenges—whether related to breastfeeding, bottle feeding, picky eating, or tube feeding—Marigold Speech Pathology Services LLC is here to help. We proudly serve families throughout Rock County and Walworth County, and we’re ready to support your child’s journey toward healthy, confident eating.

📞 Contact us today 608-728-7774 to schedule an evaluation or learn more about our pediatric feeding and swallowing services.

References

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). (2024). Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing. Retrieved from www.asha.org

• Arvedson, J. C., & Brodsky, L. (2020). Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding: Assessment and Management (3rd ed.). Plural Publishing.

• Fraker, C., Walbert, L., Cox, S., & Cox, S. (2007). Food Chaining: The Proven 6-Step Plan to Stop Picky Eating, Solve Feeding Problems, and Expand Your Child’s Diet. Da Capo Lifelong Books.

• Lau, C. (2015). Development of suck and swallow mechanisms in infants. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, 66(Suppl 5), 7–14.