Bottle Feeding/Infant Feeding/Early Solids

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Feeding is one of the most important skills an infant will develop—and one of the earliest opportunities to support healthy oral function and airway development. When a baby struggles with breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or transitioning to solids, the impact can be felt physically, emotionally, and socially by the entire family.

As a Speech-Language Pathologist, Myofunctional Therapist, and Certified Lactation Consultant, I take a holistic and evidence-based approach to infant feeding therapy, addressing not only the mechanics of feeding but also the sensory, structural, and behavioral factors that contribute to success.

Parents may seek help when:

• Breastfeeding is painful, inefficient, or causing maternal nipple trauma
   
• The baby refuses bottles when a parent returns to work
   
• Feeding times are excessively long and exhausting for both baby and caregiver

• Baby is leaking milk when breast or bottle feeding
   
• The transition to solids is met with resistance or extreme selectivity

• Difficulty latching to breast or bottle
   
• Painful breastfeeding for the mother (nipple pain, cracking, blanching)
   
• Bottle refusal or inability to transition between breast and bottle
   
• Inconsistent or inefficient milk transfer
   
• Frequent pulling off the breast or bottle nipple
   
• Fatigue during feedings; falling asleep before finishing
   
• Difficulty transitioning to solids or gagging with textured foods
   
• Extreme pickiness with early solids (accepting only limited textures or flavors)
   
• Preference for only purees past the typical transition age
   
• Clicking or “chomping” during sucking
   
• Excessive gassiness or reflux symptoms related to feeding

Feeding difficulties can be isolating and stressful, but with the right evaluation and therapy plan, most infants make significant progress quickly.
 

• Coughing, choking, or gagging during feeds
   
• Feedings lasting longer than 30 minutes
   
• Clicking noises when sucking
   
• Frequent unlatching or frustration during feeding
   
• Milk leaking from corners of the mouth
   
• Wide, uncoordinated jaw movements breaking the seal on the nipple
   
• Poor or slow weight gain
   
• Persistent dribbling or drooling outside of expected developmental norms
   
• Difficulty maintaining a seal on breast or bottle nipple
   
• Recurrent mastitis or clogged ducts in breastfeeding mothers (due to inefficient milk removal)
   

My evaluations consider multiple contributing factors that can impact feeding success, including:

• Oral restrictions (lip tie, tongue tie, or buccal tie)
   
• Oral-motor skill deficits (e.g., weak or uncoordinated sucking)
   
• Sensory processing differences that affect acceptance of textures or feeding tools
   
• Positioning challenges during feeding
   
• Airway or breathing difficulties that impact stamina and coordination
   

This multidisciplinary perspective allows me to create individualized care plans that address both the root cause of feeding challenges and the immediate functional needs of the baby.

If you notice one or more of the following, an evaluation is recommended:

• Coughing, choking, or gagging during feedings
   
• Feedings lasting longer than 30 minutes
   
• Clicking noises when sucking, or “chewing” the nipple
   
• Frequent unlatching or frustration during feeding
   
• Spillage of milk from the corners of the mouth
   
• Large, uncoordinated jaw movements that break nipple seal
   
• Slow or poor weight gain despite adequate feeding opportunities
   

I will observe a full feeding using the bottles and nipples your baby is accustomed to, assessing sucking coordination, seal, tongue function, and overall feeding efficiency.

I will observe a full breastfeeding session, focusing on latch, milk transfer, maternal comfort, and oral-motor coordination. Positioning adjustments or latch techniques may be provided immediately to improve feeding comfort and efficiency.

• Oral-motor assessment – Evaluating tongue, lip, and jaw movement patterns
   
• Structural assessment – Screening for tongue tie, lip tie, or cheek tie
   
• Parent training – Teaching targeted oral-motor exercises to improve sucking, swallowing, and stamina
   
• Feeding strategy recommendations – Adjustments to position, pacing, and tools
   

If your baby has had a frenectomy (tongue or lip tie release), I provide specialized post-procedure care including:

• Examination of surgical sites to assess healing
   
• Active wound management techniques to reduce the risk of reattachment
   
• Oral-motor and suck training to improve function and feeding efficiency
   
• Support for breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and early solids following release
   

I have completed TOTS®: Tethered Oral Tissue Specialty Training, an advanced professional program that:

• Reviews the latest research on oral restrictions and their impact on feeding, airway, and development
   
• Teaches comprehensive evaluation of tongue, lip, and cheek ties
   
• Provides clinical protocols for pre- and post-frenectomy care
   
• Emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration with pediatric dentists, ENTs, and lactation consultants
   

This specialized training, combined with years of clinical experience, allows me to manage even complex feeding cases with confidence and precision.

Feeding patterns in infancy influence oral development, airway growth, swallowing mechanics, and speech readiness. By addressing challenges early, we can:

• Prevent long-term oral dysfunction
   
• Support optimal craniofacial development
   
• Improve feeding efficiency and comfort
   
• Reduce caregiver stress and increase feeding enjoyment
   

Key Takeaway:

Infant feeding therapy is not just about getting your baby to eat—it’s about ensuring that feeding is efficient, comfortable, and developmentally supportive. Whether your baby is breastfed, bottle-fed, or transitioning to solids, I provide personalized, evidence-based care to help your child thrive.

For more information on my work with Infant Tongue or Lip Ties, click here.