Feeding Support for Infants & Toddlers
Support for selective eating, sensory feeding challenges & mealtime stress across Newcastle & the Hunter Region
Many toddlers move through normal phases of food exploration. But when eating becomes stressful, highly restricted or begins to affect growth, nutrition or family routines, it may be more than “just a phase.”
THRIVE provides gentle, evidence‑based feeding assessment and support for infants and toddlers aged 1–3 years. We help families across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter Region understand what’s contributing to feeding challenges and build confidence with practical, achievable strategies.
Our multidisciplinary team supports toddlers experiencing selective eating, sensory feeding challenges, oral‑motor concerns and mealtime participation difficulties, using approaches that prioritise safety, regulation and connection.
What we support
Our approach
Feeding support for toddlers at THRIVE is speech‑pathology‑led, with Occupational Therapy, Psychology and Behaviour Support involved when sensory, emotional or behavioural factors are contributing. Our goal is to help toddlers feel safe, regulated and supported around food, while helping families create positive, low‑pressure mealtime experiences.
We explore:
Signs your toddler may benefit from a feeding assessment
What to expect
Comprehensive feeding assessment
A detailed assessment exploring feeding history, sensory preferences, oral‑motor skills, mealtime routines and family goals.
Individualised feeding plan
Clear, practical recommendations tailored to your toddler’s needs and your family’s routines.
Therapy sessions
Gentle, child‑led feeding support using sensory‑motor and oral‑motor approaches that prioritise safety and regulation.
Parent coaching
Support to reduce stress, build confidence and create positive, low‑pressure mealtime experiences.
Multidisciplinary input
OT, Psychology and Behaviour Support involvement when sensory, emotional or behavioural factors are contributing to feeding challenges.
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.
Ready to support your toddler’s feeding journey?
We help toddlers build confidence with food using gentle, evidence‑based strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes — but many toddlers with feeding challenges have underlying sensory, oral‑motor or emotional factors that benefit from support.
Yes — we support toddlers with significant restriction or difficulty expanding foods using low‑pressure, child‑led approaches.
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.