What can I expect in a feeding evaluation?

Breastfeeding evaluation:

A detailed interview and history about the issues you are experiencing
Oral motor assessment, in which sucking and oral structures are examined
Motor/body assessment, to pick up on any difficulties that may be contributing to feeding issues
Observation of breastfeeding, with assistance provided for latch and positioning strategies
Pre and post weights to estimate transfer of milk
Review of home program tailored to you and your baby’s specific needs. You will also be given a written care plan, sent digitally (via email or text) following your visit.
Discussion of recommended next steps

Bottle feeding evaluation:

Detailed interview/history
Oral motor assessment
Motor/body assessment, to pick up on any difficulties that may be contributing to feeding issues
Observation of bottle feeding, with potential trial of different feeding tools as deemed necessary
Baseline weight
Review of home program, written care plan following visit (provided via email or secure text)
Discussion of next steps

Evaluation for children transitioning to solids or from tube to oral feeds:

Detailed interview/history
Prior to your evaluation, it is recommended that you keep track of your child’s intake for 2-3 days, i.e. a food/drink log
Observation of a feeding. Videos can be very helpful for “slow to warm” toddlers, who may not perform as they normally do with a new person observing them.
Motor/body assessment, to pick up on any difficulties that may be contributing to feeding issues
For feeding observation, please prepare and bring (if coming to office) foods that you know your child easily accepts and others that you know he/she refuses or has difficulty managing.
Oral motor assessment
Trial therapy to assess what approaches your child might best respond to in feeding treatment
Review of home program, written care plan to follow visit (provided via email/secure text)
Discussion of recommended next steps

Evaluation pre or post frenotomy:

Detailed interview/history
Observation of feeding, including all elements of breast/bottle or solids feeding evaluation listed above
Review of what to expect day of and after procedure
If post frenotomy, review of baby or toddler friendly wound management strategies (if applicable)

How long does therapy take?

Most clients are "in and out" in a few sessions, often needing only the initial evaluation and one or two follow-ups. However, some feeding problems are very complex in nature and necessitate more intense follow-up. For infants with weight gain concerns, for example, several follow-ups may be necessary to check whether the plan of care is working well and to update it as needed. For others, the home program given at the evaluation may be sufficient to resolve feeding difficulties. Some children may benefit from weekly sessions to make the fastest progress. We can discuss the best option for you!

How long are therapy sessions?

Evaluations are generally 1.5-2 hours in length. Treatment sessions are 45 minutes to 1 hour.

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What can I expect in a feeding evaluation?

Breastfeeding evaluation:

A detailed interview and history about the issues you are experiencing

Oral motor assessment, in which sucking and oral structures are examined

Motor/body assessment, to pick up on any difficulties that may be contributing to feeding issues

Observation of breastfeeding, with assistance provided for latch and positioning strategies

Pre and post weights to estimate transfer of milk

Review of home program tailored to you and your baby’s specific needs. You will also be given a written care plan, sent digitally (via email or text) following your visit.

Discussion of recommended next steps

Bottle feeding evaluation:

Detailed interview/history

Oral motor assessment

Motor/body assessment, to pick up on any difficulties that may be contributing to feeding issues

Observation of bottle feeding, with potential trial of different feeding tools as deemed necessary

Baseline weight

Review of home program, written care plan following visit (provided via email or secure text)

Discussion of next steps

Evaluation for children transitioning to solids or from tube to oral feeds:

Detailed interview/history

Prior to your evaluation, it is recommended that you keep track of your child’s intake for 2-3 days, i.e. a food/drink log

Observation of a feeding. Videos can be very helpful for “slow to warm” toddlers, who may not perform as they normally do with a new person observing them.

Motor/body assessment, to pick up on any difficulties that may be contributing to feeding issues

For feeding observation, please prepare and bring (if coming to office) foods that you know your child easily accepts and others that you know he/she refuses or has difficulty managing.

Oral motor assessment

Trial therapy to assess what approaches your child might best respond to in feeding treatment

Review of home program, written care plan to follow visit (provided via email/secure text)

Discussion of recommended next steps

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Evaluation pre or post frenotomy:

​

Detailed interview/history

Observation of feeding, including all elements of breast/bottle or solids feeding evaluation listed above

Review of what to expect day of and after procedure

If post frenotomy, review of baby or toddler friendly wound management strategies (if applicable)

How long does therapy take?

How long are therapy sessions?

​

Evaluations are generally 1.5-2 hours in length. Treatment sessions are 45 minutes to 1 hour.