A lot of families reach out without a diagnosis, a clear cause, or even the right words for what they're seeing, just a feeling that feeding is harder than it should be. That's exactly what a feeding evaluation is for. You don't need to have it figured out before you ask for help.
This walkthrough covers what actually happens around a feeding evaluation at the Institute, from scheduling through your written summary, so you know what to expect.
Before your visit
Getting scheduled and ready.
You don't need a physician's referral to be seen, and you don't need a formal diagnosis to ask for an evaluation. A persistent feeling that feeding isn't going well is reason enough to reach out.
- Request an appointment online or call our team directly
- We'll help you identify the right service if you're not sure
- Same or next day scheduling when clinically possible
- Once your visit is scheduled, you'll get a personalized link to complete your intake forms through Jane, please complete those before your appointment
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.
During the evaluation
What actually happens in the room.
A feeding evaluation is built around three things: listening, watching, and explaining.
Caregiver interview: we start by listening to your history, your concerns, and what's been happening at home.- Clinical observation: we observe feeding directly, so recommendations are based on what's actually happening, not just what's reported.
- Clear explanation: we explain what we're seeing in plain, honest terms, not clinical jargon.
We're looking at more than feeding skills in isolation. Your concerns, your routines, and what's realistic to carry home all factor into the picture. When it's helpful, we coordinate with your pediatrician, lactation consultant, or other providers already involved in your baby's care.
What you'll leave with
More clarity than you came in with.
That's the goal of every evaluation. Depending on what we find, recommendations may include ongoing therapy, home strategies, monitoring progress over time, or coordination with your other providers. Whatever the next step is, we'll explain it clearly before you leave.
You'll also receive a written visit summary within 48 hours, so you have something to reference and share with your baby's care team.
When to consider an evaluation
Common reasons families reach out.
- Bottle feeding concerns, poor intake, or feeds that take too long
- Difficulty progressing to purees, textures, or table foods
- Oral motor concerns or mealtimes that feel stressful
- Feeding questions after a NICU stay
We work with infants birth through 12 months. If you're not sure whether your situation is a good fit, reach out and we can help you figure out the right next step.