Feeding is about much more than simply getting a child to eat. It involves coordination, sensory processing, motor skills, regulation, development, and positive interactions between children and caregivers.
This page includes practical, evidence-informed information about infant and toddler feeding, including bottle feeding, transitions to solids, sensory-based feeding challenges, mealtime participation, and caregiver support. The focus is on helping families understand their child’s cues, reduce pressure around feeding, support regulation, and create safe, positive, and sustainable feeding experiences.
Information shared here is intended to help families better understand common feeding concerns and identify strategies that may support their child’s development. Feeding and swallowing concerns can be complex, so recommendations should always be individualized and addressed collaboratively with the child’s medical and therapy team when appropriate.
Occupational Therapy’s Role in Feeding: Evidence, Scope, and Why It Matters
Feeding is more than eating—it’s a complex daily routine shaped by sensory, motor, and environmental factors. This post explains the essential role of occupational therapy in feeding intervention and how it works alongside speech therapy to support meaningful mealtime participation in young children.