Feeding Support for Infants & Toddlers
Feeding support for infants and toddlers with selective eating, sensory feeding challenges & mealtime stress in Newcastle & the Hunter Region
Toddlers often go through normal developmental phases of food exploration — but when eating becomes stressful, restricted or impacts growth, nutrition or family routines, it may be more than “just a phase.” THRIVE provides specialist feeding assessment and therapy for toddlers aged 1–3 years, supporting families across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter Region.
Our multidisciplinary team helps toddlers with selective eating, sensory feeding challenges, ARFID‑like presentations, oral‑motor difficulties and mealtime participation concerns, using gentle, evidence‑based strategies that reduce stress and build confidence.
Our approach
Feeding therapy for toddlers at THRIVE is speech‑pathology‑led, with Occupational Therapy, Psychology and Behaviour Support involved when sensory, emotional or behavioural factors are contributing.
We explore:
- sensory preferences and sensitivities
- oral‑motor skills for chewing and drinking
- mealtime routines and structure
- emotional and behavioural responses to food
- family mealtime patterns
- environmental and postural supports
Our goal is to help toddlers feel safe, regulated and confident around food while supporting families with practical, achievable strategies.
What we support
- Selective eating
- Limited food variety
- Food refusal
- Sensory‑based feeding challenges
- Autism‑related feeding difficulties
- ARFID and severe food restriction
- Gagging or difficulty trying new foods
- Mealtime stress or behavioural challenges
- Oral‑motor feeding concerns
- Early signs of swallowing difficulty
Signs your toddler may benefit from a feeding assessment
- Eats fewer than 10–15 foods
- Refuses entire food groups
- Gags or becomes distressed with new foods
- Mealtimes feel stressful or exhausting
- Difficulty chewing certain textures
- Strong sensory reactions to food smells, textures or temperatures
- Limited progress with solids
- Concerns about growth or nutrition
- Feeding challenges linked to autism or developmental differences
What to expect
Telehealth for toddlers
Some aspects of feeding therapy — such as parent coaching — can be delivered via telehealth. However, feeding assessments are usually best completed in person to observe oral‑motor skills, sensory responses and mealtime behaviours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes — but many toddlers with feeding challenges have underlying sensory, oral‑motor or emotional factors that benefit from support.
Yes — we provide ARFID‑informed, low‑pressure feeding therapy.
Yes — we support sensory‑based feeding challenges and autism‑related feeding difficulties.
No. You can contact us directly to arrange an appointment. Referrals from GPs, paediatricians, or other health professionals are welcome but not required.
You’ll receive clear information about the findings, along with practical strategies and recommendations tailored to your goals and routines. If further support or collaboration with other health professionals is helpful, we will discuss this with you.
We are based in Newcastle, NSW, and support families across the Hunter region and Central Coast, including Lake Macquarie, Maitland, and Port Stephens.
Some aspects — such as parent coaching — can be delivered via telehealth. However, hands‑on feeding assessment is usually best completed in person.
Yes — we support self‑managed, plan‑managed and NDIA‑managed participants.