As you support your little one learning to chew, swallow, and drink from a cup, I provide the tools and guidance to help you both feel confident with every bite and sip.
Feeding Support for Babies Transitioning to Solids
Transitioning to solids feeding therapy in Toms River and surrounding areas
If the idea of baby-led weaning makes you panic, you're not alone.
You’ve done your homework. The blogs, the videos, the late-night Google searches but you still wonder: What if my baby chokes? What if they won’t eat? What if I mess this up?
Whether your baby is gagging, refusing, or you’re overwhelmed with where to start, I’m here to help.
With over 10 years of experience and advanced training from top children’s hospitals, I specialize in supporting families through every kind of start, spoon-fed, baby-led, or somewhere in between.
From finding the right time to practice solids to knowing when to wean the bottle, you’ll get clear, evidence-based guidance that fits your baby’s readiness and your comfort level so every choice feels like the right one for your family.
Moving from purees to solids is a big milestone for you and your baby. With gentle guidance, you’ll watch your little one learn to chew, swallow, and explore new textures with curiosity and confidence. When you have an expert by your side, you’ll feel supported, guided and gain peace of mind as you navigate this exciting journey .
Let’s make mealtimes less about stress and more about connection and progress.
A Safe, Confident Transition from Purees to Solids
Common Challenges I Support During the Transition to Solids
Gagging on new textures or refusal to try solids
Trouble chewing or coordinating chewing + swallowing
Feeding stress or tension at mealtimes
Pocketing food in cheeks or refusing to swallow
Struggling with cup drinking (open or straw cup)
Signs of oral motor delays or sensitivity to textures
Confusion about how to progress from spoon-feeding or fears around baby-led weaning
Baby has no interest in solids and/or refuses solids
Navigating how to incorporate solids practice into a daily schedule with bottles
Bottle weaning support
Ways I Can Support You
You might hear, “It’s just a phase,” or “They’ll grow out of it,” but waiting rarely helps. The longer feeding struggles go unaddressed, the more habits set in and the harder mealtimes feel for everyone. Early support creates real change, easing stress and helping your child build confidence with food.
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In-Home Feeding Therapy
Get personalized support in the comfort of your home. I observe real mealtimes, assess feeding patterns and oral motor skills, and guide you and your baby toward calmer, more confident feeds.
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Virtual Parent Coaching
Submit a short mealtime video and we’ll meet virtually to review what’s going on, troubleshoot together, and build a plan that works for your baby and your routine.
Do You Take Insurance?
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Do You Take Insurance? *
Kind of! Read Below
When calling your insurance, ask:
Do I have out-of-network benefits for speech therapy?
Is the CPT code 92523 (feeding evaluation) and 92507 (feeding therapy) covered under my plan?
Do I need a referral or authorization to submit for reimbursement?
*As a private-pay practice, I offer flexible payment options designed with your family in mind. Because I am considered an Out of Network Provider, families can inquire with their insurance provider about their Out Of Network benefits. Many families I work with receive 70-80% of costs reimbursed through insurance with the submission of a Superbill (provided by Ocean Pediatric Feeding). I also accept HSA/FSA cards on my portal.
Please note: These fees apply to in-person evaluations and therapy only. Virtual coaching calls, workshops, and trainings are not eligible for insurance reimbursement or superbills.
Rates & What to Expect
Initial Evaluation: $450-$500 | Therapy Sessions: $165-$175 per session
The Ocean Pediatric Feeding Difference
Unlike traditional clinic-based feeding therapy, this coaching model keeps you at the center of the process.
🅧 Most clinics:
→ Take your child into a therapy room while you wait outside
→ Offer little parent involvement or coaching
→ Give you a quick 2‑minute recap at the end of the session
→ See your child once a week with no guidance in between
✓At Ocean Pediatric Feeding:
✓ You stay involved in every single session
✓ You get real‑time strategies and coaching while your child learns
✓ Sessions are focused on making adjustments in the moment not just talking about it after the fact
✓ You get on-going support
This tailored, parent-led model consistently produces faster progress and more confident, connected mealtimes.
What parents are saying
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What parents are saying 〰️
★★★★★
“My son started seeing Sarah after going to two other feeding therapy facilities. After 2+ years seeing other therapists, it truly felt like Sarah was the first to actually care about him and his progress. She approached each session thoughtfully and strategically to see what would have the most positive impact to my son’s progress. He was immediately receptive to her tactics and looked forward to their sessions. I highly recommend Ocean Pediatric Feeding to anyone who is in the market. The in-home nature of the sessions took pressure off having to go to a facility and made my son more at ease.”
- Sarah
★★★★★
Sarah is amazing! Our son was off to a rocky start introducing purées and solids. We were concerned with his feeding progress as he was born 4 weeks early. Sarah came to our home and within 20 minutes of her being here, I felt at ease. Sarah is beyond helpful, she came to our house with things to try (cups, snacks, etc), came up with a game plan, and emailed me a detailed and thorough outline with all that we discussed. Weekly feeding therapy was not something we needed, but her skills and tips/tricks brought us to a great place with our little guy. He has improved TREMENDOUSLY. I HIGHLY recommend Sarah!! So thankful for her “
- Erica
★★★★★
“Sarah is amazing! We worked with her after our 6 month old had a rocky start when we introduced solids. Sarah came to our home and did a feeding session with us and our son. Along with a general overview of how to introduce solids, she gave us so many tips and tricks. Through Sarah’s coaching, we now feel super empowered as parents. Our son is doing great with solids and we feel super grateful to have found her as a resource.”
- Chelsea
FAQs
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Starting solids doesn’t have to be overwhelming. I help families assess readiness signs (beyond just age), choose the approach that fits their baby and family best, and navigate the first foods with confidence. Whether you’re curious about Baby-Led Weaning, spoon-feeding, or a hybrid method, I’ll support you in building safety, skills, and a healthy relationship with food from the start.
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Choking is one of the top concerns I hear from parents and it’s completely valid. While some gagging is normal at first, frequent or intense gagging (or your own fear of offering textures) can slow down your baby’s progress and create long-term challenges.
I use a step-by-step, evidence-based approach to help your baby safely build the chewing skills needed for solids. You’ll learn how to reduce choking risk while confidently supporting your baby’s feeding development without rushing or guessing.
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Nope — feeding doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. I offer a responsive, developmentally appropriate bridge between smooth purees and table foods, based on your baby’s individual readiness and oral motor skills.
This blended approach gives you the structure and safety of traditional feeding with the skill-building and autonomy of Baby-Led Weaning — minus the pressure or panic.
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Yes. While some babies ease into solids naturally, others need more support — especially if they gag often, refuse new textures, or seem disinterested in food for weeks or months.
If you’ve been told to “just keep offering” or “not worry,” but something doesn’t feel right, that’s a sign to get a second opinion. I offer a developmentally informed, responsive approach that helps your baby build real feeding skills — not just wait it out.
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If your baby is stuck on purees, you're not alone — and it’s not something to push through blindly. I guide families through a gradual texture progression that supports chewing development and reduces gagging or refusal.
You’ll learn exactly what foods to try next, how to prepare them, and how to know your baby is ready for each step — all with safety and confidence.
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It’s normal for babies to rely on milk in the beginning, but if they’re consistently refusing solids or showing no interest, it may be a sign they need more support. I’ll help you understand what’s contributing to the refusal and guide you through gentle, low-pressure strategies to help your baby become more curious, confident, and successful with food.
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This is a common stressor, especially in the first few months of feeding. Solids shouldn’t feel like one more overwhelming task on your plate. I’ll help you create a realistic, flexible routine that works with your baby’s schedule — not against it.
Together, we’ll find small, consistent ways to build solids practice into your day without adding stress or pressure.
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Sometimes babies need a little more time or support to feel ready. I’ll help you figure out what’s getting in the way and create a plan that encourages exploration without pressure.
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Yes! I work with families across New Jersey and beyond through virtual coaching. You’ll submit a short mealtime video, and we’ll meet to review it together, troubleshoot, and build a custom plan you can confidently follow at home.
Safety. Support. Success.
Solids don’t have to feel scary. Let’s create a plan that works for both you and your baby.