We’re experts in helping children with feeding challenges
If you’re concerned about your child’s feeding, trust your gut. Families choose the Feeding Clinic at Children’s Minnesota for our comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to assessing feeding challenges and ensuring every child gets the nourishment they need to grow.
A whole-child, whole-family approach
Our team looks at the full feeding picture—medical, nutritional, developmental, and behavioral—to create a care plan tailored to your child and family. This collaborative model allows us to identify what’s getting in the way of successful feeding and develop clear next steps.
Why families choose our feeding clinic
- Multidisciplinary expertise: Your child is evaluated by a team that includes an advanced practice provider, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, dietitian, and—beginning at age 3—a psychologist.
- Coordinated follow‑up: When additional therapy is needed, we connect families with outpatient services across Children’s Minnesota.
- Specialized tube weaning program: Our structured tube wean program provides safe, individualized support to help reduce feeding tube dependence when appropriate.
Who we see
- Children 6 months and older for feeding skill, sensory processing, and behavioral challenges related to feeding progression.
- Infants under 6 months who are feeding tube-dependent.
- The Feeding Clinic is consultative, offering expert evaluation and recommendations to guide next steps.
Where we fit
The Feeding Clinic is part of the Children’s Minnesota Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, bringing together diverse expertise to support children and families with complex feeding needs.
Frequently asked questions about our feeding clinic
Will my child see a gastroenterologist at the Feeding Clinic?
No. Gastroenterology is not part of the Feeding Clinic. Many children with feeding difficulties are also followed by GI, but the Feeding Clinic does not place, change, or manage feeding tubes or tube‑site concerns.
If your child’s feeding challenges seem primarily GI‑related—such as reflux, vomiting, or constipation—please talk with your primary care provider.
Does the Feeding Clinic see children for obesity or weight management?
No. The Feeding Clinic is not a weight‑management or obesity clinic.
Does the Feeding Clinic see children with eating disorders?
No. The Feeding Clinic does not evaluate or treat children with intentional weight loss or anorexia/bulimia.
Is this the same as the Aerodigestive Clinic?
No. The Feeding Clinic is separate from the Aerodigestive Clinic.
Will my child continue to be followed by the Feeding Clinic?
Typically no. As a consultative clinic, our role is to provide a comprehensive evaluation and then refer your child to the most appropriate therapies or services. The only children followed on an ongoing basis are those enrolled in our tube wean program, when appropriate.
Does my child need to be seen in the Feeding Clinic to start feeding therapy at Children’s Minnesota?
No. Your child’s provider can refer directly to occupational therapy or speech‑language pathology for a clinical feeding evaluation.
Does my child need to see the whole team, or can they be evaluated by just one or two specialists?
All children referred to the Feeding Clinic will see the full multidisciplinary team. If you believe your child may not need a full‑team evaluation, speak with your provider. They can determine whether another referral—such as directly to OT, SLP, or dietician— may be more appropriate.
What does psychology do as part of the team?
The psychologist on the Feeding Clinic team will help assess if behavioral, emotional, and/or environmental factors are affecting your child’s feeding difficulties. The psychologist will give recommendations for how to work on feeding at home and/or refer to appropriate outpatient psychology support.
Will my child be assessed for Avoidant and Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) at Feeding Clinic?
No, your child will not have a formal assessment of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) during their appointment. However, the psychologist can provide education about ARFID and refer for additional evaluation through Children’s Minnesota Eating Disorders Program. The evaluation in Feeding Clinic involves multiple specialists and there are time constraints. A more comprehensive assessment can occur with a psychologist separately and they can determine whether a diagnosis of ARFID is warranted.
Can my child receive intensive behavioral feeding support through Children's Minnesota?
Unfortunately, no. We do not have any intensive behavioral feeding programs at Children’s Minnesota. Services for feeding are offered through our rehabilitation services (occupational therapy, speech therapy) and/or mental health services (psychological therapy) departments.
Does Children's Minnesota offer Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder and feeding difficulties?
We do not provide ABA therapy services through Children’s Minnesota. There are numerous clinics throughout the twin cities that do offer ABA therapy services.
If your child is involved in ABA programming, we encourage you to talk to your ABA team about your interest in addressing feeding difficulties as part of your child’s programming to see if this is an option.
Will my child begin outpatient services to address feeding difficulties with multiple specialty providers?
We may recommend that your child begin outpatient therapy services with one or more specialty providers (such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, and/or psychological therapy). Each specialty service has its own clinic process and waitlist. Our providers within the Children’s Minnesota system will try to communicate with each other, but your child would be meeting with each therapy service separately, sometimes at different locations.
Our psychology/behavioral health clinics are located in St. Paul and Minneapolis, but virtual video visits are sometimes an option. Our rehabilitation clinics (occupational therapy/speech therapy/ physical therapy) are in multiple locations throughout the Twin Cities).
