Is your baby struggling with feeding? Whether your infant was recently discharged from the NICU or is showing signs of feeding difficulty at home, a comprehensive infant feeding evaluation can help uncover the root of the problem and provide a clear path forward. At Infant Feeding Specialists, we offer evidence-based, family-centered assessments to support safe, functional, and nurturing feeding experiences—at the breast, bottle, spoon, or cup.

What is an Infant Feeding Evaluation?

This comprehensive appointment will include a review of your child’s medical history, past feeding experiences, an oral motor and/or neurobehavioral examination; as well as a feeding assessment in order to appropriately identify any underlying issues. 

This evaluation is appropriate for preterm or term infants (under 12 months of age) who demonstrate feeding difficulties at the breast, on bottles, spoons, straws and/or cups. Or infants who are tube-fed with the goal to begin or progress to full oral feeding. 

What to Expect During the Evaluation

We offer parents a safe, judgement-free zone to express their concerns about their infants' difficulties. Our empathetic approach ensures parents feel comfortable partnering with us to create appropriate feeding plans for their infants. So expect a warm and compassionate specialist who will first listen, then share their knowledge and expertise with you. We will work with your infant in a calm, developmentally appropriate way, while respecting their limits, ensuring medical excellence and following Best Practices. 

Many of the babies we evaluate are NICU graduates or preterm infants who face challenges such as:

-   Suck-swallow-breathe incoordination
-   Poor latch
-   Feeding aversions or oral sensory issues
-   Weak oral-motor function
-   Vomiting or Reflux
-   Frequent coughing or choking during feeds
-   Poor weight gain despite feeding effort
-   Discomfort during feedings
-   Difficulty transitioning from feeding tubes

Our goal is to provide early intervention to avoid long-term feeding disorders.

Common Feeding Challenges We Address

Get a Personalized Feeding Plan for Your Baby

Appointments last up to 90 minutes. A few things to note when scheduling:
  -   These appointments include 2 weeks of follow-up communication on the patient portal to answer questions.
  -   Try to schedule the appointment approximately 30 minutes before your infant's regular feeding time. This way we can talk
       before we start the feeding assessment. 
  -   If your appointment is virtual, please have a second adult available to hold the camera during the assessments. 
  -  If desired, reports can be sent to your child’s pediatric healthcare providers.

Appointments last up to 90 minutes. A few things to note when scheduling:
  -   These appointments include 2 weeks of follow-up
      communication on the patient portal to answer
      questions.
  -   Try to schedule the appointment approximately 30
      minutes before your infant's regular feeding time. This
      way we can talk before we start the feeding     
      assessment. 
  -   If your appointment is virtual, please have a second
     adult available to hold the camera during the
      assessments. 
  -  If desired, reports can be sent to your child’s pediatric
      healthcare providers.

"Dr. Louisa's knowledge and friendly, calming demeanor made her so easy to work with. As first time parents with many questions and concerns, she provided so much information, help and comfort. She took her time to thoroughly understand what our challenges were and made sure to address all of our concerns. She is the saving grace we needed to help overcome some of the feeding issues we are facing with our little one."

Cost & Appointment Options

Our appointments are available virtually or in-person. Below are our pricing options for in-home and virtual infant feeding assessments. Each includes a comprehensive evaluation and two weeks of follow-up support.

Appointments last up to 90 minutes and include:
  -   Live observation of a feeding (schedule approx. 30 min before feeding time.
  -   Real-time recommendations
  -   Two weeks of follow-up through our secure patient portal
Reports can be shared with pediatric care teams upon request.

While we are currently out-of-network with insurance, superbills can be provided for FSA/HSA, or secondary reimbursement.  

(Additional in-home appointment fees may apply for specific specialists.)

Why Work With Infant Feeding Specialists

Infant Feeding Evaluations
by Certified Neonatal Therapists

Understanding your concerns and goals as a parent is extremely important to this process. We will partner with you to create an appropriate plan to support your infant. A written summary of all our evidence-based recommendations will be provided to you through our secure patient portal. 

Using this individualized, whole-child, family-centered approach we will work collaboratively to ensure that mealtimes are safe, functional, nurturing and a positive experience for you and your little one. We will also ensure that your infant's general development is headed in the right direction.