Pediatric Speech Therapy for Trouble Latching in Chicago, IL
When your baby has trouble latching to the breast or bottle, what should be a rewarding time of nourishment, comfort, and connection can quickly become one of stress and worry. The good news is that with the help of a qualified pediatric speech therapist, your baby’s ability to latch effectively can greatly improve.
At SensAble Kids, our speech therapists identify the underlying cause of your baby’s latching difficulties and create a personalized treatment plan to help them latch more comfortably, feed more efficiently, and enjoy a more satisfying feeding experience.
What Is Trouble Latching?
Trouble latching happens when your baby has difficulty attaching securely to the breast or bottle during feeding. Latching difficulties can result from oral motor challenges, poor muscle coordination, or tension affecting the muscles used for feeding. Without a secure latch, feeding can become tiring and make it harder for your baby to get the nutrition they need to grow and thrive.
Signs Your Child May Have Trouble Latching
Your baby may have trouble latching if they:
- Make clicking or smacking sounds while feeding
- Leak milk from the corners of their mouth
- Become fussy, arch their back, or pull away during feedings
- Tire quickly or fall asleep before finishing a feeding
- Gain weight more slowly than expected
- Cough, gag, or choke during feedings
How Speech Therapy Helps with Trouble Latching
At SensAble Kids, a pediatric speech therapist will evaluate your baby’s lips, tongue, jaw, and oral motor skills to identify the factors affecting their ability to latch and create a personalized treatment plan that may include:
- Strengthening the lips, tongue, cheeks, and jaw while improving the coordination needed for sucking, swallowing, and breathing
- Teaching parents and caregivers feeding techniques that support a more effective latch
- Incorporating myofunctional therapy, when appropriate, to improve oral motor function and feeding skills
- Using CranioSacral Therapy, when appropriate, to gently release tension or restrictions that may be contributing to feeding or oral motor challenges
Because the same muscles used for feeding also support chewing, swallowing, and later speech development, strengthening these skills early can help build a strong foundation for feeding and communication as your child grows.
Why Choose SensAble Kids?
For over a decade, the pediatric speech therapists at SensAble Kids have helped babies and children across the Chicago area overcome feeding difficulties. We combine clinical expertise with compassionate, hands-on guidance to turn stressful mealtimes into positive, nurturing experiences for families. Our goal is to help your baby feed more comfortably so they can get the nutrition they need to grow and thrive.
Reach Out Today to Get Started
If your baby is having trouble latching to the breast or bottle, SensAble Kids is here to help. Call us at (773) 697-7333, email office@sensablekids.com, or use our online form to schedule an evaluation. We look forward to helping make feeding a more comfortable, rewarding experience so you can enjoy more moments of bonding and closeness with your baby.