What is Feeding Therapy?

Feeding therapy is specialized support for children who are working harder than they should to eat, chew, or swallow. It’s not just about “picky eating.” It’s about the muscles and coordination inside the mouth — the tongue, lips, cheeks, and jaw — and how they work together to move food safely. Because of my background in hospital clinics and NICU feeding, I look closely at the skills that protect your child’s airway, support safe swallowing, and make eating feel comfortable. Therapy focuses on strengthening oral‑motor patterns, improving swallowing coordination, and helping your child feel safe enough to explore new foods.
It’s gentle, child‑led, and grounded in real clinical training — but always delivered in a way that is family‑centered.

What is dysphagia?

Dysphagia means difficulty with swallowing, and in children it can show up in subtle ways: coughing, gagging, trouble managing liquids, struggling with certain textures, or taking a long time to chew.
With my NICU and clinic experience, I assess:

• How the swallowing muscles coordinate
• How your child protects their airway
• How food moves through the mouth
• Whether chewing patterns are safe and efficient ​​

How do oral motor skills impact eating?

Oral‑motor skills are the foundation of feeding. They include:

• Lips that seal around a spoon or straw
• Tongue movements that shift food for chewing
• Jaw strength for biting and breaking down textures
• Coordination that keeps food moving safely toward a swallow

When these skills are weak, uncoordinated, or still developing, eating can feel scary or exhausting. Borza Feeding Therapy helps build these patterns through playful, child‑led practice that supports safe swallowing.

How do I know if my child might benefit?

You might notice:

• Coughing, gagging, or struggling with certain textures
• Difficulty chewing or moving food around the mouth
• Trouble managing liquids or frequent dribbling
• Long mealtimes or fatigue while eating
• A very short list of accepted foods
• Avoiding mixed textures
• Stress around meals
• Trouble transitioning from bottle to cup
• A history of reflux, tongue tie, NICU stay, or medical complexity

If something feels “off,” it’s okay to trust that feeling.

What happens during the evaluation?

The evaluation is child-centered. I look at:

• Oral‑motor patterns
• Swallowing coordination
• Safety with liquids and solids
• Sensory responses to foods
• Your child’s feeding history and medical background

You leave with a clear plan that reflects your child’s needs — not a generic checklist.

What do sessions look like?

​Sessions are built around connection. We practice oral‑motor skills, explore foods safely, and support swallowing patterns that help your child eat more comfortably. I coach you throughout so you feel confident at home.
Small steps matter — and we celebrate them.

Do you help with picky eating?

Yes — and often picky eating is connected to oral‑motor or swallowing challenges. When chewing is hard or textures feel unsafe, kids avoid foods. We figure out what’s getting in the way and help your child feel safer and more comfortable with food.

Do you help with drinking skills?

​Yes, drinking is part of feeding! I support:

• Bottle‑to‑cup transitions
• Straw drinking
• Open cup skills
• Safe liquid control

These skills connect directly to swallowing and oral‑motor development.

What areas do you serve?

​I provide in‑home feeding therapy in the North Hills, including Gibsonia, Hampton, Allison Park, Wexford, and nearby communities.

What is your approach?

​My approach is gentle, child‑led, and grounded in clinical feeding‑swallowing expertise. I believe feeding should feel safe and connected. Families deserve clear guidance, simple strategies, and a feeding therapist who truly listens.