Frequently asked questions
Questions families ask before reaching out.
Feeding concerns are confusing enough on their own. These answers cover what families most commonly want to know — what feeding therapy is, how to get started, what to expect, and how to know if this is the right fit.
About feeding therapy
What it is and who it helps.
What is pediatric feeding therapy?
Feeding therapy is specialized support for infants and young children who are having difficulty eating, drinking, or swallowing. A feeding therapist observes how a child feeds, identifies what may be contributing to the difficulty, and works with the family to build a practical plan for progress.
Does my child need a diagnosis to be seen?
No. Many families come to us without a formal diagnosis. A persistent feeling that feeding is harder than it should be is a valid reason to seek an evaluation. If something feels off, progress is stuck, or mealtimes have become stressful — that's worth looking into.
What kinds of feeding concerns do you support?
We work with families dealing with bottle feeding difficulty, poor intake or feeding efficiency, difficulty progressing to purees or solid foods, oral motor concerns, stressful or avoidant mealtimes, bottle refusal, and feeding challenges after a NICU stay or period of medical complexity. If feeding feels consistently hard, that's worth evaluating.
What's the difference between a feeding evaluation and ongoing therapy?
A feeding evaluation is typically the starting point. It includes a review of feeding history, current concerns, and clinical observation — followed by clear recommendations for next steps. Ongoing therapy is recurring support for children who need continued work on feeding skills, progression, or functional carryover into daily routines at home.
Getting started
What to know before the first appointment.
Do I need a physician's referral to be seen?
Families can contact us directly to get started. If a referral is needed for insurance purposes or coordination of care, we can walk you through that process once you reach out.
What age children do you work with?
We primarily work with infants and young children. If you have a question about whether your child's age or situation is a good fit, reach out and we can help you determine the right next step.
What should I bring or prepare for the first visit?
Come ready to describe what feeding looks like at home: how long feeds take, what seems hard, what you've already tried, and how things have changed over time. You don't need to have everything organized beforehand — that's part of what the evaluation is designed to help with.
Can I contact you if I'm not sure there's a real problem?
Yes. Uncertainty is one of the most common reasons families reach out. Sometimes families have a clear concern. Other times they just know something feels off. Either is worth a conversation. You don't need a diagnosis or a perfectly defined problem to benefit from an evaluation.
What to expect
How the process works and what comes after the first visit.
What happens during a feeding evaluation?
A feeding evaluation may include a caregiver interview, review of your child's feeding and developmental history, clinical observation of feeding, and recommendations for next steps. The goal is to look at the full picture and leave you with a clearer understanding of what's happening and what kind of support may help.
Will we leave the evaluation with a plan?
That's the goal. Families should leave with more clarity than they came in with. Recommendations may include ongoing therapy, home strategies, monitoring progress, or coordination with other providers. Whatever the next step is, it will be explained clearly and make sense for your child and your daily life.
How many therapy sessions will my child need?
That depends on the child's needs, the nature of the feeding concern, and how progress develops over time. Some families benefit from a few focused sessions. Others need more extended support. Recommendations will be clearer after an evaluation, and the plan can be adjusted as the child progresses.
Are parents expected to be involved in therapy?
Yes. Caregiver involvement is a core part of the process. Good feeding therapy includes parent education and practical guidance to help progress carry over into daily feeding routines at home. Parents aren't just observers — they're an important part of how the work gets done.
Insurance & practical questions
Common questions about payment and logistics.
Do you accept insurance?
Insurance and payment details can be discussed when you reach out. We can help you understand what documentation or authorization may be needed for your specific situation. Private pay options are also available.
Where are you located and do you see families in person?
We serve families across North Texas — primarily in Plano, Richardson, Frisco, McKinney, and surrounding communities. Contact us directly for current appointment availability and location details.
How long does it take to get an appointment?
Availability varies. The best way to get an accurate picture of current scheduling is to reach out directly through the appointment request form. We'll follow up with the next step as quickly as possible.
Specific situations
Questions about particular feeding concerns.
Can you help if my child has a NICU history?
Yes. NICU discharge is a common point at which families seek feeding support. Some children need closer attention to their feeding patterns, intake, and developmental progress as they adjust to life at home. If your child had a NICU stay and feeding has felt uncertain or difficult since discharge, that's worth evaluating.
Can you help with bottle refusal?
Yes. Bottle refusal is one of the more common reasons families reach out. Whether your baby has never taken a bottle well, suddenly stopped, or takes bottles only under very specific conditions, support can help families understand what may be contributing and what to do next.
Do you support families who are both breastfeeding and bottle feeding?
Yes. Many families are navigating both, and the interaction between breastfeeding and bottle feeding can be a real source of confusion and stress. Support can help families think through transitions, routines, and practical next steps.
What if my child is having trouble moving to solid foods?
Difficulty progressing to purees, textures, or table foods is a common concern we evaluate and support. If solids progression feels stuck, inconsistent, or stressful, that is a good reason to seek a feeding evaluation.
Do you help with tube weaning?
Yes. We provide family-centered support for children transitioning toward oral feeding, with practical guidance around readiness, progression, and daily carryover. See the tube weaning support page for more detail.
Still have questions?
The best way to get answers is to reach out directly.
If your question isn't covered here or you want to talk through your child's specific situation before scheduling, contact us. You don't need to have it all figured out. We can help you determine whether a feeding evaluation makes sense and what the next step looks like.