If mealtimes with your little one feel more like a battle than a bonding experience, it may be a sign of a developmental challenge. Many parents wonder if it’s just a phase or think their child is just a picky or stubborn eater. But the truth is, some children struggle with oral-motor delays that make eating physically difficult.

Hi, I am Lisa Tarr. I’m a pediatric physical therapist and the CEO and founder of First Steps Pediatric Therapy. In this article, we’ll walk you through what oral-motor feeding challenges are, the common signs to look for, and simple tips you can try at home. Most importantly, we’ll share how early support from a pediatric occupational therapist can make mealtimes feel fun again, both for your child and for you.

What Are Oral-Motor Feeding Challenges?

Oral-motor challenges occur when kids struggle to coordinate the muscles in their mouth: their lips, tongue, and jaw. These difficulties can impact your child’s ability to chew, move foods in their mouth, and swallow safely.

This is commonly seen when you’re transitioning your child from pureed foods to solids. It’s not just about a kid being a picky eater. It’s a developmental challenge that may require support and assistance from an occupational therapist.

Signs Your Child Might Have Oral-Motor Feeding Challenges

Some signs that your kid might be experiencing oral motor feeding challenges include:

  • Gagging, choking, or coughing while eating
  • Food falling out of their mouth
  • Food being pocketed or held in their cheeks
  • Difficulty progressing from purees to stage 2 or 3 baby foods
  • Refusing foods that require chewing (like meats or harder textures)
  • Long mealtimes that feel exhausting
  • Excessive drooling (beyond teething and past 18 months)
  • Avoiding mixed textured foods, such as yogurt with chunks of solids

Tips to Address Oral-Motor Feeding Challenges at Home

If you think your child may have oral-motor feeding challenges, here are a few things you can try at home:

  • Offer small, soft foods like steamed vegetables or bananas—foods that can be mashed easily with their gums
  • Use chilled teethers or textured spoons to “wake up” the oral muscles
  • Encourage singing, smiling, and play during mealtimes
  • Keep mealtimes consistent
  • Let your child feed themselves, even if it’s messy
  • Take turns feeding each other to encourage engagement and fun

A key reminder for new parents is, don’t compare your child to others. Milestones do vary quite a bit, and it’s okay if your kids aren’t on the same timeline as others. However, if you feel your child is significantly behind, or you’re having more difficulty than other families, it might be time to seek help.

Additional Tips for Parents

You can also try taking video clips to track your child’s progress. These can be helpful during therapy sessions or even just to reflect on what’s working. Some kids enjoy watching themselves eat, which can be motivating.

Avoid pressuring your child to eat. Instead, focus on creating a positive environment. Even if your child isn’t eating the food, letting them play with it (touching, smelling, and getting messy) is still valuable.

Most importantly, trust your gut. If feeding becomes stressful for your child (or for you), that’s the right time to ask for help.

See a Pediatric Occupational Therapist for Expert Help

If feeding becomes a daily struggle, if your child is avoiding foods, mealtimes are difficult, or it’s affecting your family, you can always reach out for support.

Our pediatric occupational therapists can help your child develop their oral-motor skills. We’ll create a plan and coach you through the process to support your family. At First Steps Pediatric Therapy, we’re here to help your child eat confidently and enjoy mealtimes again.

Early support makes a huge difference. Contact us to schedule an evaluation at (700) 900-7432 today. We provide free 15-minute phone screening with a licensed therapist to address your needs.