Questions families ask before reaching out.

No. The Institute is a multidisciplinary infant specialty practice. Alongside feeding and swallowing, our team provides lactation support, infant occupational therapy and developmental evaluation, nutrition and growth support, and NICU transition and follow-up care.

You don't need to figure that out on your own. Tell us what you're noticing in feeding, movement, growth, or nursing, and we'll help determine which specialty is the right starting point.

If you're noticing a head-turning preference, uneven movement, difficulty with tummy time, or a milestone that hasn't shown up yet, it's worth asking. Our occupational therapist evaluates movement, positioning, tone, sensory regulation, and early development.

Yes. Torticollis and head-turning preference are among the most common reasons families see our occupational therapist.

That's a common and valid reason to reach out. Our developmental team can look closely at what's happening and help you understand what's typical versus what's worth addressing.

Yes. Our registered dietitian evaluates growth, weight gain, formula, and fortification questions on their own. Feeding function doesn't need to be part of the picture for a nutrition visit to make sense.

We provide outpatient follow-up for babies after they come home from the NICU, coordinating feeding, lactation, nutrition, and developmental support as needed for each baby. If your baby is still in the NICU, you're welcome to reach out to start planning for after discharge.

Yes. Many babies benefit from more than one specialty at once, for example feeding therapy alongside developmental care, or nutrition support alongside lactation guidance. Your team coordinates so you're not managing separate, disconnected plans.

Feeding therapy is specialized support for infants 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. You'll also receive a written visit summary within 48 hours so you have something to reference and share with your child's care team.

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.

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 are an important part of how the work gets done, not just observers.

Yes, and this is one of the populations we know best. Both of our clinicians bring direct Level III and IV NICU clinical experience to their outpatient work. Families navigating feeding after NICU discharge are dealing with a specific kind of complexity, and we understand that context. If feeding has been uncertain or difficult since discharge, that's absolutely worth evaluating.

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.

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.

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.