By For many families, mealtimes can be a source of stress rather than joy—especially when children have difficulty eating. Whether it’s extreme pickiness, gagging, or anxiety around food, feeding challenges can affect a child’s health, development, and social experiences. That’s where feeding therapy steps in, helping children build a more positive relationship with food. Delivered by a registered dietitian and other specialists, this therapy is grounded in early childhood nutrition principles and often forms part of a holistic approach to care. If you’re looking for support, a dietitian in Melbourne can guide your family through this important journey.
What is Feeding Therapy?
Feeding therapy is a personalised, child-centred approach that helps children with various eating difficulties—whether physical, behavioural, developmental, or sensory-related. This might include children who:
- Struggle with the texture or colour of food
- Are slow to transition to solids
- Have trouble chewing or swallowing
- Exhibit extreme food aversions or refusals
- Are tube-fed and transitioning to oral eating
Delivered by trained professionals such as speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and registered dietitians, feeding therapy focuses on building skills, reducing anxiety, and supporting appropriate growth and nutrition.
What Does a Feeding Therapy Session Look Like?
Feeding therapy sessions are often fun, hands-on, and play-based—particularly for younger children. The therapist might use food exploration, messy play, pretend eating, or structured tasting to gently expose the child to new foods. Importantly, these sessions are tailored to each child’s pace, preferences, and specific needs.
A dietitian in Melbourne with a background in early childhood nutrition may work alongside other professionals to monitor growth, assess nutrient intake, and suggest safe ways to expand food variety. Families are also involved throughout the process, as feeding behaviours are influenced by the home environment, routines, and emotional responses at the table.
Why Do Feeding Challenges Happen?
There are many reasons why a child might struggle with eating. These include:
- Medical conditions such as reflux, allergies, or gastrointestinal issues
- Developmental delays that affect coordination or oral motor skills
- Sensory processing disorders, where textures, smells, or colours feel overwhelming
- Trauma or negative experiences, like choking or force-feeding
Understanding the root cause is key to creating a successful therapy plan. A registered dietitian trained in early childhood nutrition can play a critical role in this process by assessing growth trends, dietary patterns, and identifying gaps in nutrition.
Feeding Therapy & The NDIS
For families accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), feeding therapy may be covered under support for daily living or improved health and well-being. If your child has a disability or developmental delay, a dietitian in Melbourne who is experienced with NDIS processes can assist with reports, tailored meal plans, and ongoing nutrition support.
Benefits of Feeding Therapy
The benefits of feeding therapy go far beyond just getting your child to eat a wider variety of foods. Outcomes often include:
- Improved nutrient intake and growth
- Reduced stress around mealtimes
- Greater independence with eating
- Better oral motor skills and chewing ability
- A more positive and relaxed family environment
It also equips parents and carers with strategies to reduce pressure, support gentle exposure, and create structure around meals.
When to Get Help
If your child has fewer than 20 foods in their diet, avoids entire food groups, gags or vomits during meals, or mealtimes are a daily battle, it’s time to consider feeding therapy. You can start by talking to your GP or contacting a registered dietitian specialising in early childhood nutrition. If you’re in Victoria or Queensland, there are many services where a dietitian in Melbourne can visit you at home, or work with you via telehealth.
A Team Approach
Feeding therapy often involves a multidisciplinary team. A registered dietitian provides expertise in nutrition and growth, a speech pathologist supports safe swallowing and oral function, and an occupational therapist may work on sensory integration or posture for eating. Together, they build a plan that’s achievable and respectful of your child’s needs.
Making Mealtimes Easier with the Help of a Registered Dietitian in Melbourne
Feeding therapy offers real hope for children and families dealing with eating challenges. By working with a registered dietitian, especially one trained in early childhood nutrition, families can find expert guidance, reassurance, and practical strategies. If you’re seeking support, a trusted dietitian in Melbourne can provide personalised care that supports your child’s health, confidence, and enjoyment of food.