Need Bottle/Puree/Solid Transitions Feeding Support?
Becoming SOFFI certified is something I am so excited to share with families!! SOFFI (Supporting Oral Feeding in Fragile Infants) is an evidence-based approach that focuses on safe, responsive, and developmentally supportive feeding. It is designed to help infants who may be struggling with feeding or swallowing, whether they have medical complexities or are otherwise typically developing.
With this certification, I am able to support families right from the start, including after bringing your baby home from the hospital/NICU. SOFFI is centered on learning your baby’s unique cues: when they are ready to eat, when they need a break, and how they communicate stress. Feeding is guided by your baby, not by pressure to finish a bottle. This helps make feeding safer, less stressful, and more positive for both you and your baby.
Feeding support is part of my occupational therapy services, and I can help with bottle feeding as well as transitions to purees and table foods. Together, we focus on building your child’s skills, supporting safety, and creating positive experiences during mealtimes. Just as importantly, I support you as the caregiver so you feel confident and comfortable responding to your child during feeding.
This work is especially meaningful to me. When my own daughter came home from the hospital, we experienced significant feeding challenges, and there were very few providers in our area who felt comfortable helping with bottle feeding. That experience showed me how important it is for families to have access to this kind of support early on and without waiting months.
You might benefit from feeding support if your baby is showing signs like:
Coughing, choking, or gulping during feeds
Seeming to work hard to swallow
Watery eyes or changes in breathing while eating
Frequent breaks, pulling away, or signs of stress during feeds
Very long or tiring feeding times, or falling asleep while eating
Difficulty finishing bottles or taking enough volume
Arching, pushing away, or refusing the bottle
Trouble coordinating sucking, swallowing, and breathing
Difficulty transitioning to purees or solid foods
Feeling like feeding just isn’t going well
Widespread feeding aversions
If you’ve worked with a lactation consultant and switched to bottle feeding due to challenges—and those same difficulties are still happening with the bottle—additional feeding support would likely be helpful and would be very important to try BEFORE seeking out a tongue tie release or craniosacral therapy. (see this post on why).
Families can access my services through Illinois Early Intervention or through Learn Play Live OT, depending on what works best for you. If you are being referred for services, you can request or mention me directly.
