# Feeding Issues ## Feeding Issues ## Can Reflex Integration Help with Eating and Breastfeeding Issues? Many individuals who exhibit feeding difficulties have underlying motor deficits and [sensory processing challenges](https://moveplaythrive.com/index.php?Itemid=650 "Understand the connection between sensory isses and retained primitive reflexes"). These issues can make the actions of chewing, swallowing, or sucking inefficient, laborious, or uncomfortable. For example, the smell of food, or the sensations involved in chewing can feel noxious. Newborns may have difficulty latching and breastfeeding. Older children may exhibit food aversion and picky eating. Numerous primitive reflexes provide the foundations for oral-motor function and sensory development and are important for the ability to comfortably consume food across the lifespan. Integrating primitive reflexes may be exceptionally helpful for addressing a variety of feeding challenges, including avoidant/restrictive food intake disorders (ARFID) and issues arising from poor oral-motor functioning. Because primitive reflex integration supports optimal motor control of the mouth, tongue, arms, and hands—all of which are involved in self-feeding—it is also effective as part of post-stroke rehabilitation. *All case studies are written by students of the [Brain and Sensory Foundations First Level course](https://moveplaythrive.com/index.php?Itemid=362 "Comprehensive primitive reflex training for parents and therapists").* [ ![Mom explaining a wooden toy to child. Text: 19-month-old boy shows global gains](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_JeDu_J.webp) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/neurodevelopmental-movements-improve-autistic-toddlers-behavior-sleep-and-regulation) ### [ Neurodevelopmental Movements Improve Autistic Toddler’s Behavior, Sleep, and Regulation ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/neurodevelopmental-movements-improve-autistic-toddlers-behavior-sleep-and-regulation) [ ![Senior man playing piano. Text: Elderly stroke victim no longer wheelchair-bound.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_JoMa_ANON1.webp) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/stroke-patient-can-walk-after-primitive-reflex-integration) ### [ Stroke Patient Can Walk After Primitive Reflex Integration ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/stroke-patient-can-walk-after-primitive-reflex-integration) [ ![Toddler finger feeding. Text: No more reliance on bottle feeding!](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_ElCo_C.webp) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/reflex-integration-helps-with-transitioning-to-solid-foods) ### [ Reflex Integration Helps with Transitioning to Solid Foods ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/reflex-integration-helps-with-transitioning-to-solid-foods) [ ![Toddler boy eating a peach. Text: Neurodevelopmental movements help with ARFID.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_AmFi_ANON.webp) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/toddler-with-arfid-now-trying-new-foods-every-week) ### [ Toddler with ARFID Now Trying New Foods Every Week ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/toddler-with-arfid-now-trying-new-foods-every-week) [ ![Toddler eating blueberries. Text: Life-changing movements improve eating, sleeping, and communication](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_FaDa_ANON.webp) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/toddler-with-medical-issues-and-global-developmental-delay-benefits-from-rhythmic-movements) ### [ Toddler with Medical Issues and Global Developmental Delay Benefits from Rhythmic Movements ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/toddler-with-medical-issues-and-global-developmental-delay-benefits-from-rhythmic-movements) [ ![Mom nursing newborn. Text: Primitive Reflex Integration eases breastfeeding](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_AdKi_ANON.webp) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/help-for-breastfeeding-challenges) ### [ Help for Breastfeeding Challenges ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/help-for-breastfeeding-challenges) [ ![Young boy climbing a tree. Text: Discharged from OT after three months of rhythmic movements and primitive reflex integration!](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_AmHu_A.webp) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/no-more-aggressive-outbursts-huge-change-in-3-months) ### [ No More Aggressive Outbursts, Huge Change in 3 Months ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/no-more-aggressive-outbursts-huge-change-in-3-months) [ ![Young boy contemplating a chalkboard. Text: World opens up for a boy with autistic behaviors.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_ErEl_I.webp) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/boy-with-dev-delay-eats-more-explores-and-plays-with-brother-flourishes) ### [ Boy with Developmental Delay Eats More, Explores, and Plays with Brother, “Flourishes” ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/boy-with-dev-delay-eats-more-explores-and-plays-with-brother-flourishes) [ ![Pre-teen boy looking into distance. Text: 11-Year-Old boy learns to manage behavior.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_HoKe_N.webp) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/11-year-old-boy-learns-to-manage-behavior) ### [ 11-Year-Old Boy Learns to Manage Behavior ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/11-year-old-boy-learns-to-manage-behavior) [ ![Boy resting on mat. Text: 14-year-old boy with ADHD: Lasting results in focus and calming.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_LaBe_M.webp) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/focus-and-calm-improve-homework-learning-and-daily-tasks-for-teen) ### [ Focus and Calm Improve Homework, Learning, and Daily Tasks for Teen ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/focus-and-calm-improve-homework-learning-and-daily-tasks-for-teen) [ ![Young boy playing with Legos. Text: Video—Delayed toddler makes huge gains.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_YoBa_G.webp) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/less-flapping-and-mouthing-more-eye-contact-smiling-eating-and-playing-with-toys) ### [ Less Flapping and Mouthing, More Eye Contact, Smiling, Eating, and Playing with Toys ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/less-flapping-and-mouthing-more-eye-contact-smiling-eating-and-playing-with-toys) [ ![Smiling boy swinging on a swing set. Autism: From running and screaming to happy and smiling.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_KO_R.webp) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/autism-from-running-and-screaming-to-happy-and-smiling) ### [ Autism: From Running and Screaming to Happy and Smiling ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/autism-from-running-and-screaming-to-happy-and-smiling)