Helping your child eat safely and confidently.
Understanding Feeding Difficulties
Feeding difficulties can make mealtime stressful for children and families. Some children struggle to chew, swallow or tolerate certain textures, while others have medical or developmental conditions that make eating challenging.
At Mary Free Bed Kids, our specialists evaluate and treat children who have difficulty eating or drinking so they can enjoy safe, nutritious meals and grow strong. Whether your child’s challenges stem from a medical condition, sensory aversion or developmental delay, our goal is to help them build the skills and confidence needed for successful feeding.
Signs Your Child May Need Feeding Support
Every child’s feeding journey is unique. However, if you notice any of the following signs, your child may benefit from a professional feeding evaluation:
- Arching or stiffening of the body during feeding
- Irritability or lack of alertness while eating
- Difficulty accepting new textures or types of food
- Feeding times that last longer than 30 minutes
- Excessive drooling or leaking food and liquid from the mouth
- Wet, hoarse or breathy voice after meals
- Coughing, gagging or vomiting during or after eating
- Frequent respiratory infections or pneumonia
- Trouble coordinating breathing with eating or drinking
- Pocketing food in the mouth for long periods
- Poor weight gain or growth
If you recognize any of these signs, our pediatric feeding specialists can help. A physician’s referral is required to begin feeding treatment.
Our Approach to Feeding Therapy
At Mary Free Bed Kids, our approach is family-centered. Our multidisciplinary team includes speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and registered dietitians, all working together to develop strategies tailored to your child’s specific needs. Within our ARFID Program, we partner with psychology to best support our patients and their families.
Our goals include:
- Improving feeding skills for safety and efficiency
- Enhancing oral-motor coordination and strength
- Reducing mealtime stress and aversion
- Building comfort with new textures and foods
- Supporting healthy growth and nutrition
- Empowering families with tools for success at home
Together, we’ll help your child make progress that lasts—one bite, sip and smile at a time.
Comprehensive Services
Depending on your child’s needs, we may recommend one or more of the following evaluations and therapies as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Oral Motor Evaluation
Your child’s journey begins with a clinical feeding evaluation completed by a specially trained speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist. This includes:
- A detailed review of your child’s medical history
- Input from other healthcare providers
- Observation of feeding behaviors and skills
- Recommendations for safe positioning and textures.
When needed, a registered dietitian provides additional nutrition support to ensure your child’s dietary needs are met
Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS)
This specialized test provides a real-time X-ray view of how your child swallows. It helps our team see what happens inside the mouth and throat during eating or drinking and identify any aspiration (when food or liquid enters the airway).
VFSS studies are available at the Mary Free Bed Grand Rapids Campus, with same-day initial results and treatment recommendations. Ongoing therapy can then continue at Mary Free Bed Kids – Holland or other convenient locations.
Feeding Therapy
Feeding therapy is at the heart of what we do. Our therapists use research-based strategies and a compassionate, family-centered approach to improve your child’s ability to eat safely and confidently.
We collaborate with community partners such as WIC, Early On, schools, specialty clinics, VNA and referring physicians to create a coordinated plan that supports your child across all environments.
Therapy may focus on:
- Decreasing oral defensiveness and food aversion
- Introducing new textures and food varieties
- Improving oral motor strength and coordination
- Teaching safe and efficient swallowing
- Adjusting positioning to promote safety and comfort
- Modifying diets for improved respiratory and digestive health
- Empowering families with education and feeding strategies
Each child’s plan is tailored to their abilities and goals, with progress monitored closely by our team.
Why Families Choose Mary Free Bed Kids
At Mary Free Bed Kids, we specialize in pediatric rehabilitation that combines expertise, compassion and collaboration. The Mary Free Bed Kids Feeding Program stands out because we provide:
- A dedicated pediatric team experienced in complex feeding issues
- A supportive, family-focused approach
- Access to advanced diagnostic tools like VFSS
- Individualized therapy designed for your child’s developmental level
- Seamless communication between your care team and referring providers
We’re here to make mealtimes easier—and to help your child build healthy, positive feeding experiences that last a lifetime.
Begin Your Child’s Journey
If your child has difficulty eating, chewing or swallowing, we can help. Together, we’ll help your child eat safely and rediscover the joy of mealtime.
View our Outcomes here.
