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How Occupational Therapy Can Help With Bottle Feeding Challenges

  • Writer: Ashleigh Richmond
    Ashleigh Richmond
  • May 5
  • 3 min read

Feeding your baby is meant to be a bonding, nurturing experience—but for many families, bottle feeding doesn’t go as smoothly as expected. Whether you're exclusively bottle-feeding, supplementing, or transitioning from breast to bottle, challenges can arise that leave parents feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, or unsure of what to do next.


That’s where occupational therapy (OT) can step in to help.


You might not immediately associate OT with baby feeding, but pediatric occupational therapists are trained to support the oral motor, sensory, and developmental foundations that are essential for safe and successful feeding—whether at the breast or with a bottle.


Mother breastfeeding her baby

Common Bottle Feeding Challenges OT Can Help With:

Every baby is unique, and so are the challenges they might face. OT can support families dealing with:

  • Bottle refusal or frustration at the bottle

  • Leaking milk from the sides of the mouth

  • Gagging or choking during feeds

  • Shallow latch or poor suction on the bottle

  • Prolonged feeding times or falling asleep during feeds

  • Inconsistent intake or failure to thrive

  • Feeding aversion or signs of distress when the bottle appears

  • Arching, squirming, or pulling away during feeds

  • Transition difficulties from breast to bottle (or vice versa)

  • Tension or body asymmetry interfering with feeding posture

  • Oral ties (tongue, lip, or cheek ties) impacting feeding mechanics


How OT Supports Better Bottle Feeding

A trained pediatric OT will assess the whole picture—not just how your baby takes the bottle, but what’s going on in their body and environment that might be impacting feeding.

Here are some of the key areas OT addresses:


1. Oral Motor Development

Feeding from a bottle still requires coordination of the lips, tongue, jaw, and palate. If your baby has weakness, incoordination, or restrictions in these areas, an OT can guide you through specific exercises and strategies to improve muscle function and efficiency.


2. Sensory Processing

Some babies are highly sensitive to textures, temperatures, or the feeling of the nipple in their mouth. Others may not register feeding cues clearly. An OT can help your baby process these sensations more comfortably and calmly—turning feeding into a more positive experience.


3. Positioning and Bodywork

Tension in the neck, jaw, or torso can affect how well your baby latches, swallows, and breathes. OTs with training in bodywork techniques (like myofascial release or reflex integration) can gently release tension and guide optimal postural support for feeding success.

4. Bottle and Nipple Selection

There are dozens of bottle systems and nipple flow rates available, and not all are a good fit for your baby. Your OT can help you choose a bottle that matches your baby’s oral needs and feeding style, potentially resolving issues like leaking, choking, or fatigue.


5. Tongue Tie Support

If your baby has had (or is preparing for) a tongue tie release, OT can support both oral motor therapy and functional retraining to ensure the tongue moves effectively and feeding improves post-procedure.


6. Feeding Environment and Parent Support

OTs provide holistic, family-centered care—helping you understand your baby’s cues, reduce stress around feeding, and create a calm, responsive feeding environment. You’ll leave each session with clear tools and personalized strategies.


When to Consider OT for Bottle Feeding

If your baby is struggling with bottle feeding and it’s causing:

  • Stress at home

  • Concerns about weight gain

  • Long or inefficient feeding times

  • Signs of discomfort or distress

…it’s worth getting an evaluation.

The earlier you address feeding concerns, the easier they often are to resolve.


We Can Help

At Wisco Integrative Therapies, our pediatric occupational therapists specialize in feeding support—including bottle feeding, oral motor therapy, and bodywork for babies.


We offer comprehensive care in both our Milwaukee and Mequon offices, helping families get to the root of feeding challenges with warmth, skill, and individualized attention.


👉 Book an appointment today and get the support your baby needs for happier, easier feeds.We’re here to help you and your little one thrive—starting at the bottle.



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