Services

Breast and Bottle

Feeding Support

Babies can experience feeding difficulties for a variety of reasons, including structural and functional differences in the mouth. This can result in painful nursing, poor weight gain, and unhappy babies. Structural and functional problems can affect both breastfed and bottle fed babies.

Kristen is here to support you with your infant feeding questions, concerns, and difficulties. If you or your baby experience any of the following challenges, a comprehensive feeding assessment may be beneficial:

  • Baby is struggling to latch, maintain a latch, or is having trouble sucking from breast and/or bottle

  • Milk leaking from mouth during feeds

  • Difficulty gaining weight

  • Coughing or gagging during feeds

  • Feeds taking a very long time, or are very quick

  • Excessive gassiness

  • Excessive spit-up

  • Breast and/or bottle refusal

  • Pain with latching - including cracked and/or bleeding nipples

  • Feelings unhappiness or dread about feeding sessions

Tethered Oral Tissues

Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs), otherwise known as oral ties, tongue tie, or lip ties, happen when the thin pieces of tissue in the mouth are unusually tight, thick, or short. These restrictions can limit the movement of the tongue or lips, which may affect a baby’s ability to feed, swallow, or use their mouth effectively. Every baby is different and not all ties cause problem. But when they do, early support can make a big difference.

If you suspect your baby may have an oral tie, a comprehensive feeding and oral function assessment can provide valuable insight. This evaluation looks at your baby’s oral structures, how they function during feeding, and any symptoms you may be noticing. While a Speech-Language Pathologist cannot formally diagnose oral ties, they can assess how these restrictions may be affecting your baby’s ability to feed. Support includes education and therapy before and after a release procedure to help ensure the best possible outcomes.

Kristen believes in a collaborative approach when working with babies with oral ties. She works closely with other providers, such as physicians, lactation consultants, dentists, and chiropractors to provide comprehensive and holistic care for families.

Support with Solids

and Picky Eating

Are you ready to get messy?! Starting solid food to your little one can be an exciting, fun, (and messy) experience! But figuring out where to start can be confusing. Are you unsure about trying purees or baby led weaning? Nervous about how or when to introduce potential allergens? Or maybe you have tried introducing solid food to your baby and you are noticing concerning behaviours, such as gagging, vomiting, refusal, and/or picky eating.

With specialized training in oral motor development and infant feeding, Kristen ensures your baby is developmentally ready and using the skills needed for safe, successful eating from the very first bite.

If mealtimes have become stressful and your toddler is refusing foods, eating only a few preferred items, or struggling to try anything new, you're not alone! Kristen works with families to understand the root causes behind picky eating, whether it's sensory sensitivities, oral-motor challenges, or learned behaviors.

After completing a thorough feeding assessment, we can create a personalized plan for introducing solids, creating a more varied diet, and create positive mealtime experiences and lasting healthy eating habits.

Speech therapy (SLP) services are covered under most extended health plans. Direct billing is not available, but a detailed receipt will be provided which can be submitted to your insurance for reimbursement.

Please contact your insurance to see what they will cover, as each plan is different.