As a new mom, it’s natural to worry when your baby has trouble feeding. Whether your baby is struggling to latch onto the breast or bottle, it can be stressful. What you might not know is that Occupational Therapy (OT) can help babies who are having trouble feeding. Let’s explore 3 possible causes for feeding difficulties and some simple things you can try at home to help your baby eat better, grow, and develop in a healthy manner!
1. Sensory Processing Challenges
Some babies have difficulty processing the feeling of the bottle or breast in their mouth, the clothes they are wearing, or the smell of the soap Mom uses. This can make feeding stressful for them and can make it hard to coordinate movement for a successful suck-swallow-breathe pattern. An Occupational Therapist can help identify which sensory systems are struggling, and how to help those systems work together better so baby is happier and able to eat better.
Tips to try at home:
- Avoid scented soaps, lotions, and laundry detergents.
- Try feeding a “naked baby”. Skin-to-skin contact is often calming and regulating for babies.
- Try gently stroking your baby’s face or hands before feeding. This can help them feel more comfortable and ready to eat.
2. Coordination Challenges
As mentioned above, babies need to coordinate their sucking and swallowing with their breathing. Some babies may struggle with this due to sensory processing challenges, low muscle tone, or possible oral tethers (ex: tongue tie). An Occupational Therapist can help you identify where the root challenge lies for your baby.
Tip to try at home: Stroke baby’s cheek to encourage them to turn their head toward the side you stroked, then allow them to suck on a nipple or bottle. This encourages the rooting reflex which supports motor patterns for feeding.
3. Emotional Regulation Challenges
Sometimes, babies may feel upset or overwhelmed during feedings. This makes it harder for them to focus and eat well. If the usual attempts to calm your baby are mostly unsuccessful, an Occupational Therapist can help determine some of the more atypical causes of baby’s fussiness and help bring calm to your home.
Tips you can try at home:
- Create a quiet, calm space for feedings. Dim the lights, reduce noise, and help your baby feel safe and calm.
- Play soothing music.
Feeding challenges don’t have to be a constant struggle. With Occupational Therapy and these tips, it’s possible for your baby to learn to feed more easily, and grow healthy and strong!