Core service
Feeding therapy for picky eaters and problem feeders, from infants who struggle with nursing or bottle feeding to children who refuse textures, gag at meals or eat only a few foods. Our feeding-trained occupational and speech-language therapists see families in person at both clinics.
Offered atOrland ParkNaperville / Aurora
Your child might be a picky eater or problem feeder if your child:
One-on-one breast and bottle feeding lactation support, in person at our clinic or virtually from the comfort of your own home.
Transition to table foods can be tricky. Whether you are starting purees, baby led weaning, or a combination of the two, we are here to support you and your baby.
Together, you and your BDI therapists will create goals functional to your family by incorporating food you have in your home or food your family eats in the community.
Speech Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists at BDI Playhouse are licensed and trained to:
Research has shown that difficulties with eating and poor nutrition can cause:
The evaluating clinician will discuss with you any concerns you may have for your child, pertinent medical history, and the reason why your child was referred for their evaluation. The rest of the evaluation depends greatly on your child’s age and specific needs. The clinician will assess your child’s current feeding skill level and address any areas of difficulty during this evaluation.
If feeding therapy is recommended, individual therapy sessions may occur on a consultative basis or on a weekly basis. You and the evaluating therapist will decide on goals and location (clinic or virtual) of services.
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A parent’s guide to the differences between food allergies, food sensitivities and food intolerances: what is happening in the body, how quickly symptoms appear and how each one is identified. It is background our feeding therapists use every day.
Feeding Therapy is offered at BDI Playhouse Children's Therapy – Orland Park and BDI Playhouse Children's Therapy – Naperville / Aurora. Families come to us from Orland Park, Orland Hills, Tinley Park, Mokena, Frankfort, New Lenox, Naperville, Aurora, North Aurora, Montgomery, Oswego, Plainfield and nearby suburbs.
Your child may benefit from feeding therapy if mealtimes are a regular struggle or their diet is very limited. Signs listed by BDI Playhouse's feeding therapists include eating fewer than 30 foods, refusing certain textures, temperatures or colors, avoiding a whole food group, crying or tantrums at meals, gagging, coughing or vomiting while eating, trouble nursing or bottle feeding, and struggling to maintain a healthy weight.
A picky eater has a limited diet but still eats 30 or more foods, while a problem feeder eats 20 foods or fewer. That is how BDI Playhouse's feeding therapists describe it. A problem feeder may accept only certain brands, drop whole food groups, or avoid foods of a certain color or texture, and may gag, cough or choke. Feeding therapy can help with both. Read more in Feeding Fiasco.
At a feeding evaluation, the clinician talks with you about your concerns, your child's medical history and why your child was referred, then assesses your child's current feeding skills. The rest depends on your child's age and needs. If feeding therapy is recommended, sessions may be weekly or on a consultative basis, and you and the therapist decide together on goals. Evaluations and sessions take place in person at our Orland Park or Naperville / Aurora clinic.
Bring any feeding-related items you want to show the feeding therapist or need help with, such as the foods, bottles, cups or utensils that are part of your child's mealtimes. If something specific would help for your child, we will ask for it during intake, before your first visit.
No. Feeding therapy is in person at both of our clinics, so your therapist can work hands-on with your child and the foods on the table. Speech, occupational and physical therapy can be done by telehealth for families anywhere in Illinois, and lactation support is offered in person or over Zoom.
Yes, BDI Playhouse offers one-on-one lactation support for breastfeeding and bottle feeding. You meet with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist, in person at our clinic or virtually over Zoom. First visits are typically 45 to 60 minutes and include a feeding history, watching your baby feed, a look at latch, suck and positioning, and a plan of care.
Yes. Feeding therapy and lactation support are covered by insurance, although what your plan pays depends on your policy. BDI Playhouse is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans and a select number of BCBS HMO plans at both clinics. Some plans limit coverage, so check with your carrier about your policy. If services are limited or not covered, we offer discounted private pay rates, and Illinois' DSCC program or nonprofit grants may help some families. Details and the 2026 rates are on our insurance page.
