Paediatric feeding therapy in Dubai

Mealtimes can be one of the most stressful parts of the day when a child finds eating difficult. Some children eat only a handful of foods, some struggle to chew or move on to new textures, and some gag, cough or take a very long time to finish a meal.

Feeding and swallowing are a core part of my work. I hold an Advanced Master in Deglutology (the study of swallowing) from KU Leuven, Belgium, and I support children in Dubai with feeding, chewing and swallowing difficulties.

Ask about your child · Parent guide

Picky eating or a feeding difficulty?

Many young children go through a fussy phase. It may be more than that if your child:

Eats a very small range of foods, or the range keeps getting smaller
Refuses whole groups of foods or textures
Gags, vomits or becomes very distressed at mealtimes
Has difficulty chewing, or keeps food in their mouth for a long time
Has trouble moving from purées to lumpy or solid foods
Coughs or chokes while eating or drinking
Has mealtimes that regularly take a very long time

How I help

I start by understanding why eating is hard for your child. That can involve oral-motor skills (how the lips, tongue and jaw move), sensory responses to taste, smell and texture, swallowing, and the experiences your child has had around food.

Therapy is gentle and never forced. Through play and small, manageable steps, children build their skills and confidence with new foods and textures, and parents learn how to support calm, positive mealtimes at home.

When to speak to your doctor

If your child coughs or chokes regularly when eating or drinking, has frequent chest infections, or you are worried about their growth or weight, speak to your doctor as well. Feeding difficulties sometimes have medical causes that need to be looked at alongside therapy.

Questions parents ask

Is it picky eating or a feeding disorder?

Picky eating is common and usually passes. A feeding difficulty is more likely if your child eats a very limited range of foods, gags or becomes distressed at meals, struggles with textures or chewing, or if mealtimes affect family life. An assessment can help you understand what is going on.

What happens in a feeding therapy session?

Sessions are play-based and child-led. We explore foods at your child’s pace, work on the oral-motor skills needed for chewing and swallowing, and plan small steps to practise at home.

Can a speech therapist help with feeding?

Yes. Speech-language therapists are trained in the muscles and movements of the mouth and in swallowing, so feeding and swallowing are part of their work.