Swallowing, Feeding & Oral-Motor

Signs and symptoms that indicate your child is having difficulty with feeding include:

• Gagging easily with increased texture of food.
  
• Limited volume of intake.
  
• Gastroesophageal reflux impacting oral feedings.
  
• Coughing and/or choking.
  
• Not chewing foods and/or swallowing food whole.
  
• Pocketing of food.
  
• Excessive time needed to complete mealtimes.
  
• Main form of nutrition obtained via tube feedings.
  
• Limited variety of foods accepted.
  
• Difficulty coordinating suck-swallow-breathe activities during bottle feedings.
  
• Loss of liquid or food outside of mouth during swallowing.
  

What We Can Do

• Implement oral-motor exercise program to increase strength, coordination and range of motion of lips, cheeks, tongue and jaw for chewing and swallowing.
  
• Use VitalStim therapy.
  
• Use SOS Feeding therapy.
  
• Transition from tube feedings to oral feedings.
  
• Transition from bottle to cup.
  
• Transition from baby food to solids.
  
• Establish a feeding program to meet your child’s nutritional needs.
  
• Collaborate with other professionals (e.g., dietician, physician, school staff) regarding feeding program recommendations.
  

Our Locations

Burnsville:  952-898-5700
BurnsvillePeds@CourageCenter.org

Forest Lake: 651-464-5235
ForestLakePeds@CourageCenter.org

Golden Valley: 763-588-0811 or 1-888-846-8253
pedscarenavigator@couragecenter.org

Stillwater: 651-439-8283
StCroixPeds@CourageCenter.org

See our Locations page for maps and directions.