feeding therapy in mill park, bundoora and north-east melbourne
support for feeding difficulties, fussy eating
and mealtime challenges
support that fits into everyday life
At Emble Allied Health, we provide feeding therapy for children and families in Mill Park and across Melbourne’s north-east.
If mealtimes are feeling stressful, overwhelming or unpredictable, you’re not alone, and support is available.
Feeding therapy at Emble supports children to feel safer, more confident and more comfortable around food, in a way that respects their individual needs, experiences and pace.
feeding therapy for children and families
We provide feeding therapy support across key stages of development:
- Early Childhood (0–6 years)
- Children (7–12 years)
- Teenagers (13–17 years) (where appropriate)
Feeding therapy is most commonly delivered with younger children, with modified approaches used for older children and teenagers where appropriate.
We support families across Mill Park, Bundoora, Epping, Doreen, South Morang, Mernda and surrounding areas.
what is feeding therapy?
Feeding therapy supports children who experience challenges with eating, drinking or mealtimes.
At Emble, feeding therapy is individualised and may:
- Involve a Dietitian, Speech Pathologist and/or Occupational Therapist
- Address sensory, motor, behavioural and nutritional factors
- Be delivered by one clinician or a coordinated team, depending on need
We use a Responsive Feeding Therapy (RFT) approach, which prioritises autonomy, emotional wellbeing and a child’s internal cues around hunger, fullness and safety.
what we help with
Feeding therapy supports a wide range of feeding and mealtime challenges.
This may include support for fussy eating, food refusal, sensory sensitivities, ARFID and paediatric feeding difficulties.
fussy eating and limited food range
- Eating a very limited range of foods
- Refusing new or unfamiliar foods
- Strong food preferences or rigid eating patterns
mealtime stress & anxiety
- Distress, anxiety or avoidance at mealtimes
- Power struggles around eating
- Difficulty sitting or engaging in meals
sensory & feeding challenges
- Sensitivity to textures, smells or appearance of food
- Sensory-based feeding differences
- Difficulty exploring or interacting with food
oral motor & eating skills
- Gagging, coughing or discomfort when eating
- Difficulty chewing or managing food
- Delayed feeding skills
feeding-related conditions
- ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
- Paediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD)
- Feeding challenges linked to medical, developmental or sensory factors
support doesn't always sit within one area
Many people benefit from support across more than one discipline.
Our team works collaboratively to ensure support is connected and aligned.
who we support
We support children and families who may:
- Be worried about their child’s eating or nutrition
- Experience stressful or unpredictable mealtimes
- Feel unsure how to respond to feeding challenges
- Have a child who avoids, restricts or struggles with food
- Want to build a more positive relationship with food
We also support children who may not have a formal diagnosis but would benefit from feeding support.
how we work
Feeding therapy at Emble is responsive, child-led and grounded in everyday life.
Feeding therapy may involve Dietitians, Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists working together where appropriate.
Support is coordinated, targeted and aligned with your child’s needs.
individualised feeding therapy
- Assessment tailored to your child’s feeding profile
- Considering sensory, motor, behavioural and nutritional factors
- Support adapted to your child’s pace and preferences
responsive feeding support
- Following your child’s cues around hunger and safety
- Reducing pressure and building trust
- Supporting positive, low-stress mealtimes
mealtimes in everyday life
- Supporting feeding in home, childcare and community environments
- Building routines that feel achievable
- Embedding strategies into daily life
parent & caregiver support
- Practical strategies for home and mealtimes
- Building confidence in responding to feeding challenges
- Reducing stress and uncertainty
feeding therapy and dietetics
Feeding therapy is a specialised service that differs from general dietetic support.
While dietitians play an important role, feeding therapy may also involve Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy to address underlying sensory, motor or behavioural factors.
If your concerns are primarily related to:
- Growth and nutrition
- Gastrointestinal health
- Medical or chronic conditions
You may be better suited to our dietetics service.
building confidence with food beyond sessions
Some individuals and families may benefit from additional support to build confidence with food in a more hands-on, practical way.
Yumable is our upcoming food and cooking program, designed to support sensory food exploration, mealtime participation and everyday life skills through real-world experiences. Through guided cooking, shared experiences and supported exploration, Yumable helps individuals build confidence, independence and a more positive relationship with food over time.
Yumable can complement dietetic support, particularly for those working on selective eating, confidence with food, or developing everyday life skills around cooking and mealtimes.