Transitioning to solids feeding therapy in Toms River and surrounding areas

Feeding Support for Babies Transitioning to Solids

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.

You thought starting solids would be an exciting chapter…

…but instead it’s full of long mealtimes ending in tears and tiny bites getting spit back out. Whether you're spoon-feeding purees, trying baby-led weaning, or mixing both, it’s not always as simple as “just let them explore.”

Some babies need extra support to learn how to chew, swallow, and feel safe with new textures.

If your little one gags, stores food in their cheeks, or shows no interest in eating, it might be more than just a phase. I'm here to help make it calmer, safer, and more successful, for both of you.

A Safe, Confident Transition from Purees to Solids

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.

Ways I Can Support You

  • 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.

  • Virtual Parent Coaching

    Through the Virtual Parent Coaching Calls you can 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.

  • DIY Resources for Parents

    Need something now? Browse my growing library of downloadable guides, workshops and tools to help you take the next step with feeding therapy, even if you’re not ready for 1:1 support.

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.

What parents are saying

〰️

What parents are saying 〰️

★★★★★

“Wonderful! Sarah came to my rescue when I was having a hard time introducing food to my baby who for months refused to really eat anything, in a couple months we got my 1 year old eating like a normal baby instead of spitting everything out . Amazing and very experienced and knowledgeable who helped me through a difficult time. Thank you again!”

- Lisa

★★★★★

“Sarah has been such a blessing for our family! She is so kind, patient, and knowledgeable. She truly cares and works so well with my son. I have learned so much from her and am so grateful for all that she has done! She was the most recommended feeding therapist when I was looking and I completely understand why! She truly is the best in the area and I can not say enough good things about her!”

- Brandi

★★★★★

“Sarah worked with my 18 month old for about 2 months and the progress we have seen with his eating is incredible. Mealtimes are so much less stressful for our family now. Sarah is extremely knowledgable and experienced in her field and we trusted her completely throughout the process…I would recommend Sarah to anyone looking for pediatric feeding therapy!”

- Ashwinee

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

Suspect your child has a swallowing disorder?

I can help coordinate swallow studies for children of all ages who may be struggling with swallowing safely. I partner directly with a local hospital to make the process easier for your family so you don’t have to navigate it alone.

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.

expert Pediatric Feeding Therapist offering feeding therapy in new jersey and virtual options for parents who need help

The Ocean Pediatric Feeding Difference

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 OPF:

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

How We’ll Work Together

By combining my specialized training with a deeply supportive approach, you’ll receive personalized, practical care rooted in compassion.

  • Teach

    I’ll walk you through strategies step‑by‑step, showing you what to do and why it works.

  • Implement

    You’ll bring those tools into your daily routine, in your own home, with your own child.

  • Refine

    We’ll troubleshoot and make adjustments until feeding feels easier and more connected.

FAQs

  • 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.

  • 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.


  • 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.

  • 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.


  • 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.


  • 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.


  • 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.


  • 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.


  • 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.

Ocean Pediatric Feeding

Specialized pediatric feeding therapy for infants, solid transitions, picky eating, and complex feeding needs.

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Providing in-home feeding therapy for families in Ocean and Monmouth Counties, including Toms River, Brick, Point Pleasant, Manasquan, Spring Lake, Sea Girt, Asbury Park, Wall, Jackson, Howell, Manahawkin, Bayville, Colts Neck, Freehold, Red Bank, and Mantoloking. Virtual sessions and parent coaching available for families outside travel radius/in other states

Ocean Pediatric Feeding is an out-of-network provider. Payment is due at the time of service, but we provide Superbills for you to submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement. Most families receive 70–90% back, depending on their out-of-network benefits. We accept credit cards, HSA, and FSA cards.We recommend calling your insurance provider and asking: Do I have out-of-network coverage for speech therapy?

Contact

Sarah Auriemma, MS, CCC-SLP
732-825-8540
info@oceanpediatricfeeding.com

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