Infant Feeding, Swallowing, and Developmental Therapy

Supporting your baby’s feeding, development, and transition home

Advanced Therapy Solutions provides specialized speech and occupational therapy services for infants and their families. Our team supports breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, swallowing, sensory-motor development, positioning, regulation, and developmental skills.

Abby O’Dell, MS, CCC-SLP, CBS, is a speech-language pathologist and Certified Breastfeeding Specialist with experience evaluating and treating infant feeding and swallowing concerns. She works collaboratively with caregivers and medical providers to develop practical recommendations based on each baby’s needs.

Infant feeding involves more than simply taking milk. Babies must coordinate sucking, swallowing, breathing, positioning, endurance, and sensory-motor skills to feed safely and efficiently.

Speech-language pathology services may address:

• Breastfeeding and latch concerns
• Bottle-feeding difficulty
• Suck-swallow-breathe coordination
• Coughing, choking, gulping, or pulling away during feedings
• Difficulty managing nipple flow
• Feeding fatigue or prolonged feedings
• Stress cues, arching, or feeding refusal
• Oral-motor and feeding-skill development
• Swallowing safety and function
• Transitioning feeding routines after NICU discharge
• Caregiver education regarding positioning, pacing, and feeding strategies
• Coordination with pediatricians and other medical providers when additional assessment is indicated

 Occupational therapy supports the sensory, motor, and regulatory skills infants need to participate successfully in feeding, play, sleep, and daily routines.

Occupational therapy services may address:

• Sensory regulation and tolerance of daily routines
• Positioning and postural support
• Motor development and movement patterns
• Reaching, grasping, and early play skills
• Tolerance of tummy time and floor play
• Difficulty calming or transitioning between activities
• Participation in feeding and self-care routines
• Parent education and individualized developmental activities
• Support following a premature birth, NICU stay, or complex medical history

The transition home after the NICU can bring new questions as feeding routines, endurance, positioning, and developmental needs change. Our therapists provide individualized follow-up to support your baby’s continued progress and help you feel more confident carrying out recommendations at home.

With caregiver consent, we can coordinate care with your child’s pediatrician, specialists, and other providers to support continuity across settings.

 Consider contacting our team if:

• Feeding feels stressful, difficult, or unusually long
• Your baby coughs, chokes, gulps, or becomes congested during feedings
• Your baby has difficulty latching or maintaining a latch
• Your baby tires before completing a feeding
• You have questions about bottle selection, nipple flow, positioning, or pacing
• Your baby has difficulty tolerating movement, touch, positioning, or tummy time
• You have concerns about early motor, sensory, or developmental skills
• Your baby was born prematurely or has a history of NICU care
• You would like professional guidance and reassurance regarding feeding or development

You do not have to wait until a concern becomes overwhelming. Early support can help identify your baby’s strengths, address areas of difficulty, and provide practical strategies for daily routines.

During the initial evaluation, your therapist will review your baby’s medical and developmental history, discuss your concerns, and observe relevant feeding or developmental activities. Recommendations may include individualized strategies, caregiver education, a home program, follow-up therapy, or coordination with your baby’s medical team.

Contact our team to discuss your baby’s feeding or developmental needs. We’ll help determine whether speech therapy, occupational therapy, or both may be appropriate and verify whether your insurance requires a physician’s referral.

Call (405) 564-2701 or email therapy@ats-stillwater.com.