Feeding Therapy & Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT)

Feeding Therapy

• Infants and children experiencing challenges with feeding or breastfeeding
• Children with sensory-based feeding difficulties

Feeding therapists and myofunctional therapists (occupational and speech therapy team) support infants and children with feeding difficulty and ties. Feeding therapists focus on oral motor development addressing pressure, range, movement and strength for all aspects of the mouth. Functional oral movement is needed for babies to transition to oral feeds from the breast and bottle.

Infant challenges related to oral ties include

• Poor latch on the bottle or breast
• Long duration of feeds
• Fatigues easily / sleepy during feeds
• Poor weight gain
• Gastrointestinal issues: gas, spitting up, bowel issues
• Hypersensitive gag reflex
• Poor coordination of suck-swallow-breathe pattern with coughing or spitting up
• Painful breast feeding, plugged ducts/ mastitis

At Adventist Health Glendale’s Play to Learn Center, our specialists help with all areas of feeding including the challenges above, pre and post frenectomies, the transition to solid food, and sensory-based feeding difficulties. To ensure continuity of care and positive outcomes, we remain in close contact with your team of providers.

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT)

Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) are atypical facial postures involving the muscles and functions of the face and mouth. They can lead to difficulties with breast & bottle feeding, chewing, swallowing, speech, oral hygiene, and bite alignment.

Children with OMDs may demonstrate

• Speech problems including a lisp or articulation difficulties
• Feeding and/or swallowing concerns
• Tongue thrust affecting alignment for biting, swallowing & mouth closure
• Airway issues, such as snoring or open mouth breathing
• Extended sucking habits (thumb, finger or tongue sucking)
• Tongue ties or lip ties

Orofacial myofunctional therapists re-train the muscles of your child’s mouth and face to support appropriate speech, feeding, and breathing. It improves resting facial posture with lips and teeth closed and the tongue resting against the top of the mouth.

For more information, contact the Play to Learn Center:

2560 Colorado Boulevard
Eagle Rock, CA 90041

Phone:(323) 255-1134

Email:MartinTJ@ah.org