Did you know that Speech Pathologists play a role in feeding? That’s right – Speech Pathologists can help with a range of different things from early feeding skills like bottle and breastfeeding, to moving to purees and solids, all the way through to restricted food diets that go beyond the classic fussiness. If you’re a parent or caregiver who struggles with mealtimes, we can help.  

Keep on reading to learn more about paediatric feeding difficulties and how speech pathologists can help. 

 

What is Feeding? 

Feeding is one of the most difficult things we as humans do because it involves all our systems! Feeding difficulties goes far beyond the traditional choking, coughing, and gagging that most people think.  

Feeding is the umbrella term for the entire process which starts from unconscious bodily reactions to food like smelling the food, saliva being secreted and stomach acid secretion all the way through to actual consumption. At any stage across this process difficulties may occur which is where a Speech Pathologist can become involved. 

 

Signs of Paediatric Feeding Difficulties: 

• Choking during mealtimes or food intake (e.g. list some signs of choking)  
• Frequent coughing during mealtimes  
• Excessively chewing of foods or spitting food back out after chewing  
• Difficulties consuming higher level foods (e.g. hard munchable like biscuits, meats, hard veggies)  
• Nasal regurgitation  
• Weight loss or reduced weight gain  
• Reduced variety of foods consumed  
• Heightened anxiety or meltdowns during mealtimes  
• Difficulties attending too or engaging in mealtimes  
• Difficulties with latching when breast or bottle feeding 
• Drooling during mealtimes 

 

How Do Speech Pathologists Help Children with Feeding? 

There is a lot that Speech Pathologists can do to support you and your family if you find that your child is experiencing feeding difficulties. Speech Pathologists can… 

• Assist with building confidence to interact with different textures, colours and food types at a level where the child is comfortable. 
• Develop a child’s inventory of skills and strategies that they can choose from so they can adjust their level of engagement with a new food. 
• Assess eating and drinking skills by watching a child interact with foods. 
• Conduct and interpret medical imaging related to swallowing function (note – this is usually conducted in a hospital setting).  
• Work with families to establish a list of safe/tolerated foods and drinks, and a pathway for increasing acceptability of other foods. 
• Coach parents and other caregivers to develop positive mealtime routines at home or daycare/kindy. 
• Support children to develop the required oral skills for safe and efficient feeding 
• Support children to communicate their wants, needs and opinions related to feeding behaviours, and support families to model and interpret these communicative functions.  
• Prescribe modified textures or supportive utensils, as indicated. 
• Support positive interactions with mealtimes and across a variety of mealtime environments (e.g. family meals, meals in community, birthday parties)  
• Make referrals to or work with other health professionals as indicated. These may include Dieticians, Lactation Consultants, Paediatricians, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Psychologists, Gastroenterologists, Dentists, Orthodontists, Otorhinolaryngologists (ENT Doctors), and clinicians trained in Oro-Facial Myology. 

 

How to Get Speech Pathology Support for Children with Feeding Difficulties 

If you or someone you know is caring for a child with suspected feeding difficulties, it is best to seek professional help early. After making an appointment with your GP or Paediatrician, you will likely be referred to a local Speech Pathologist. While you can make an appointment with a Speech Pathologist without a referral, in Australia you can access Medicare for speech therapy appointments which may be a beneficial support. 

You can use the Speech Pathology Australia registry to find a local Speech Pathologist to support you and your family. If you are based in Townsville or Mackay, consider joining the waitlist with us at SpeechEase Speech Therapy too. 

We hope you found this article helpful in your search for feeding support. Learn more about speech pathology services for children, and what to expect from your first speech pathology appointment by exploring our website. 

 

Learn more: 

https://www.asha.org/public/speech/swallowing/feeding-and-swallowing-disorders-in-children/ 

https://www.agrowingunderstanding.com.au/how-speech-pathologists-help-with-feeding-and-swallowing/