Functional Infant Feeding Assessment

A comprehensive assessment of feeding, oral function, body mechanics, nervous system regulation, and lactation to identify the factors influencing infant feeding challenges.

This assessment is designed for families seeking a comprehensive understanding of infant feeding and development. It is particularly valuable when feeding challenges persist despite previous support, when oral restrictions or body tension may be contributing factors, or when families and providers are looking for a whole-body, functional assessment rather than a symptom-focused approach.

Who This Is For

Signs Your Infant May Benefit

Your infant may benefit from a Functional Infant Feeding Assessment if you are experiencing:

• Painful feeding or ongoing feeding challenges
• Difficulty latching or maintaining a latch
• Frequent coughing, choking, clicking, or milk loss during feeds
• Long, frequent, or inefficient feeds
• Slow weight gain or concerns about milk transfer
• Reflux-like symptoms, gassiness, or unsettled behaviour
• Strong side preferences, head turning, or body asymmetries
• Tension following pregnancy, birth, or medical interventions
• Concerns related to tongue function, sucking skills, or oral development

What We Look At

A Functional Infant Feeding Assessment is a comprehensive, in-person evaluation that integrates midwifery, lactation science, and pediatric bodywork. Assessments may include infant and maternal health history, pregnancy, birth and surgical history, feeding goals, oral function and suck assessment, breastfeeding, chestfeeding and/or bottle feeding observation, body tension and movement patterns, reflexes, regulation, positioning, and parent-infant interaction.

Together, these findings help us understand the whole feeding relationship and develop an individualized plan that supports feeding, comfort, attachment, and development.

Infant Craniosacral Bodywork + Feeding Assessments

Our infant craniosacral bodywork sessions are entirely baby-led, calm, and cooperative. Your baby can remain fully clothed and can be held, comforted, or fed throughout the appointment.

A typical session includes:

Feeding observation & weighted feed: We assess your baby’s current nursing or bottle-feeding mechanics and measure intake.

Oral & structural assessment: We gently check for jaw tightness, palate shape, and overall tissue restrictions.

Hands-on care & feed support: We offer micro-light physical adjustments to your baby's body and positioning directly while they feed.

At-home parent tools: You will leave with simple, gentle techniques to practice at home to support your baby's ongoing comfort.

Gender-Affirming Lactation & Feeding Support

Milk Thistle is dedicated to providing trauma-informed, inclusive lactation consultation that celebrates diverse families and gender-affirming parenthood transitions.

Specialized Care Domains

Our clinical support covers complex scenarios such as inducing lactation or relactation for non-gestational parents, managing milk supply, and compassionate weaning. We offer specific guidance on chestfeeding, bottle-feeding, and navigating medical spaces to ensure your feeding goals are met with dignity, expertise, and a deep understanding of gender-affirming health care.

Queer & Trans Competency

Experience specialized care for queer and trans parents navigating various feeding paths. We provide expert support for unique journeys including chestfeeding after top surgery, co-nursing partners, and building queer-centered feeding plans that honor your identity and family structure from the start.

Personalized feeding support from pregnancy through 6 weeks postpartum

Whether you're preparing to feed your baby, navigating common feeding challenges, or managing more complex lactation concerns, care is tailored to your family's goals and circumstances.

Consultations may include prenatal feeding education, latch and positioning support, milk supply concerns, feeding pain, pumping and bottle-feeding guidance, return-to-work planning, induced lactation, relactation, chestfeeding, breastfeeding, and combination feeding. In-person appointments can also include individualized pump fitting and flange assessment to optimize comfort and milk expression.

Care is available for all families and all feeding journeys, with a commitment to evidence-informed, trauma-informed, and gender-affirming practice.