Frequently Asked Questions

Feeding therapy supports children who find eating, drinking or mealtimes difficult. At First Bites, a speech pathologist with specialised training in paediatric feeding looks at the different factors that may be making eating challenging, including your child’s chewing and oral motor skills, sensory responses, food preferences and mealtime experiences.

We then work with you to build your child’s skills, confidence and comfort with eating. Therapy is gradual, supportive and tailored to your child – there is never pressure or force to eat.

Speech pathologists do much more than support speech and language. We are also trained to assess and treat feeding and swallowing difficulties in children.

Eating, drinking and speaking all involve many of the same muscles and structures, including the lips, tongue, jaw and throat. Speech pathologists have specialised training in how these structures work together to help children bite, chew, manage food and swallow safely.

At First Bites, feeding and swallowing are a core part of what we do. We use this knowledge to understand what may be making eating difficult for your child and provide practical, individualised support.

Families come to us for many different reasons. You may notice that your child has a very limited or shrinking range of foods, becomes distressed at mealtimes, is struggling to move beyond purées or softer textures, frequently gags or coughs when eating or takes a long time and a lot of effort to finish meals. We also support children transitioning from tube feeding to eating and drinking by mouth.

If mealtimes are stressful, eating feels difficult or you simply have concerns about your child’s feeding, that’s reason enough to reach out. You don’t need to have a diagnosis or know exactly what is going on before seeking support. We can help you understand what may be contributing to the difficulties and whether feeding therapy is appropriate for your child.

The first appointment is a comprehensive assessment. We’ll talk through your child’s feeding, medical and developmental history, and observe them eating familiar foods.

Please bring foods they love, as well as foods they find tricky. There’s no pressure to eat, the goal is to understand your child’s current skills and challenges.

Following the initial consultation you will receive a report outlining the therapy plan, feeding goals and next steps.

No. You can book directly online or by phone. A GP referral is only needed if you plan to claim a Medicare rebate under a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP). See our Fees & Funding page for details on NDIS, Medicare and private health options.

Yes. We welcome NDIS participants whose plans are self-managed or plan-managed. We provide NDIS-compliant invoices and can liaise with your plan manager and support co-ordinator as required.

Telehealth sessions take place over secure video, with your child eating in their own environment, often where they feel most comfortable. We guide you in real time, observe how your child manages food and coach you through practical strategies at your own table.

For many families, telehealth is a convenient and effective way to access feeding support without the stress of travelling with a young child. Families can also combine in-clinic and telehealth sessions depending on their needs.

Please note that telehealth may not be suitable for every child. Suitability will be assessed based on your child’s individual needs and is determined by their treating therapist.

The number of sessions depends on your child’s individual needs and goals. Some families may only need a few sessions for assessment and guidance, while children with more longstanding feeding difficulties may benefit from regular therapy over a longer period.

After the initial assessment, we’ll provide an initial recommendation and regularly review your child’s progress and goals together.

We consult from Growing Bones at 30 Schild St, Yarraville VIC 3013, in Melbourne's Inner-West – close to Footscray, Seddon, Kingsville, Spotswood, Newport, Williamstown and Altona. Telehealth is available across Victoria and beyond.

Feeding difficulties can involve medical, nutritional, sensory and developmental factors, which is why we take a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach to feeding support.

We regularly work alongside GPs, paediatricians, dietitians, occupational therapists and other allied health professionals, sharing information and working together to support the whole child.

If we feel another professional could be helpful for your child, we’ll talk this through with you and, where appropriate, help coordinate care.