Q: What are infant feeding difficulties?
A: Feeding difficulties occur when babies struggle with latching, sucking, swallowing, or coordinating breathing during feeds. While some feeding bumps are normal, persistent challenges can affect growth, bonding, and family well-being.
Q: What are signs that an infant may be struggling to feed?
A: Parents should look for:
- Difficulty latching to breast or bottle
- Frequent clicking sounds or milk leaking during feeds
- Gagging, coughing, or choking while feeding
- Arching, fussing, or pulling away during feeds
- Long or inefficient feeds (lasting >40 minutes)
- Poor weight gain or frequent weight checks needed
- Frequent spit-ups, reflux, or gas
- Fatigue during feeds (falling asleep before finishing)
Q: What causes infant feeding difficulties?
A: Common causes include:
- tongue tie ankyloglossia or lip tie restricting movement
- Low oral motor strength (weak lips, tongue, or jaw)
- Poor suck-swallow-breathe coordination
- Reflux or GI discomfort
- Airway concerns (nasal congestion, enlarged tonsils/adenoids later in infancy)
- Neurological or developmental differences
Q: Why is early intervention important?
A: Feeding challenges affect more than nutrition. They can impact:
- Bonding between parent and baby
- Growth and development
- Airway and oral posture (foundation for future breathing and speech)
- Parental stress and mental health
Early therapy prevents long-term issues with swallowing, airway, and oral motor skills.
Q: How does therapy help infants with feeding difficulties?
A: At BreatheWorks, therapy includes:
- Latch support: Helping infants feed more efficiently at breast or bottle
- Oral motor exercises: Gentle drills to strengthen tongue, lips, and jaw
- Breathing coordination: Supporting the suck-swallow-breathe sequence
- Parent coaching: Positioning, pacing, and comfort strategies
- Collaboration with lactation specialists, pediatricians, and ENTs to address medical factors
Q: Do all feeding difficulties mean tongue tie?
A: No. While tongue tie is a common factor, feeding issues can arise from multiple causes. A thorough evaluation ensures that the root cause—not just the symptoms—is addressed.
Q: Can infant feeding therapy be done virtually?
A: Yes. Parents can receive live telehealth coaching that matches the quality of in-person care. Virtual therapy includes:
- Observation of feeding at home
- Step-by-step guidance on latch and positioning
- Coaching for exercises and soothing strategies
- Progress tracking and check-ins
This allows families nationwide to get expert help without traveling with a newborn.
Q: Where do you provide care?
A: In-person infant feeding therapy is available at:
- Portland, Oregon
- Eugene, Oregon
- Lake Oswego, Oregon
- Bellevue, Washington
- Amarillo, Texas
We also offer virtual care nationwide.
Quick FAQs
Is clicking during feeding normal? No—clicking often means poor suction or tongue tie.
How long should a newborn feeding take? Usually 20–30 minutes; consistently longer may signal a problem.
Can feeding issues affect speech later? Yes—oral motor challenges can carry into speech and swallowing if untreated.
When should parents seek help for feeding? If feeding causes stress, pain, or poor weight gain, an evaluation is recommended.
Next Steps
If your baby struggles with feeding, don’t wait—early therapy makes a big difference.
- Schedule an infant feeding evaluation (in-person or virtual)
- Providers: Refer a patient for infant feeding therapy
