Protea Therapy

16/04/2026

18/03/2026

Lots of the caregivers we see interpret spitting as a baby or child not liking a food (and sometimes it is). But we love to see spitting! Because a child who can spit has a safe and effective way to get rid of something that doesn't feel right for them. When kids know they can keep themselves safe, they're more likely to try new things.

If you need some support spotting or managing a feeding issue for your child, that's what we're here for! Get in touch at https://www.proteatherapy.com.au/new-clients or (03) 7034 6944 or info@proteatherapy.com.au

15/03/2026

A lot of people don't realise that some children can struggle to swallow efficiently, effectively, or safely. This is called 'dysphagia.' Children can experience dysphagia for a range of reasons, and it can make mealtimes really tough.

At Protea Therapy, one of our areas of special interest is supporting kids who have dysphagia. If your child needs support, you can get in touch by filling out our expression of interest form at https://www.proteatherapy.com.au/new-clients or by calling us on (03) 7034 6944

12/03/2026

Working with speech pathologists who want to upskill in paediatric feeding, eating and drinking is one of our favourite things to do! We offer both supervision/mentoring and second opinion consults that can be booked via our website.

Book supervision here: https://www.proteatherapy.com.au/supervision-bookings or a single session consultation here: https://www.proteatherapy.com.au/single-session-consultation

05/03/2026

Sensory play (or messy play) is a common tool that therapists use to help kids who are worried or selective eaters. This free kit has been developed by researchers into selective eating at De Montford University and has ideas for getting started with this kind of play at home. https://sensoryplaytoolkit.weebly.com/

If you need additional support and ways to support kids who struggle with eating, as a parent or as a clinician, we can help! Call (03) 7034 6944, email info@proteatherapy.com.au or head to our website at http://www.proteatherapy.com.au/

28/02/2026

Is dinner the hardest meal for your family? You are NOT alone! Kids are often tired out by dinner time, *and* it's often the time when we serve the most challenging foods. You might have more luck serving veggies and meats at other mealtimes; and at dinner, try offering at least one or two foods that you know your child enjoys, even if they're not conventional 'dinner' foods.

For more individualised problem-solving, get in touch at (03) 7034 6944 or https://www.proteatherapy.com.au/new-clients

11/02/2026

For kids who are worried about food or mealtimes, there are so many opportunities to learn about food! Growing, buying, cooking, prepping, and serving food are all amazing ways to build confidence and competence... and curiosity. So, if you have a child who won't even look at broccoli, take a step back and see if they'll help you bag it up at the supermarket, or chop it up (with a child safe knife like a ), or serve it to you.

If your child's eating and drinking problems are too big for you to handle on your own, that's what we're here for! Get in touch by filling out our intake form at http://www.proteatherapy.com.au/new-clients or email us at info@proteatherapy.com.au or call on (03) 7034 6944

28/01/2026

It's my first day back in the office, you guys! (Which means... the kids are back at school)

I am so excited to be back and ready to dive back into working with families and professionals who support kids with eating and drinking difficulties. Day 1 is a mixture of email catch-ups, a Mealtime Management Plan review (summer VFSSs mixing things up, thanks to my amazing colleagues at RCH), supervision, talking professional support options with a speechie practice lead, and prepping for a new assessment next week. And if I have time, amongst all that, I have a peer-review to do for the International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders.

Who needs a slow start?!

I've started booking some new clients for 2026, and my waiting list is open. So, if you have a child that needs eating and drinking support (especially if their needs are complex, e.g., tube feeding, unsafe swallowing), please get in touch with my team at info@proteatherapy.com.au, (03) 7034 6944, or https://www.proteatherapy.com.au/new-clients

I also have some space for professional supervision sessions (https://www.proteatherapy.com.au/supervision-bookings) or single-session consultations (https://www.proteatherapy.com.au/single-session-consultation).

I hope you all enjoyed your holiday season, and I'm looking forward to an amazing 2026.

18/12/2025

Thank you so much to our clients, supervisees, colleagues, and community, all of whom make working in this space an utter joy. We hope you're able to spend the coming weeks doing whatever rests and recharges you for the new year ahead.

Protea Therapy will be completely closed from next week until January 5th. Our admin team will be back on the phones in January, but we won't return to clinical services until the start of term 1, at the end of January.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season full of nourishment!

12/12/2025

Throwing food can be one of THE most frustrating behaviours that babies, toddlers and children engage in when they are learning to eat! If you get stressed about the mess and food waste, you're definitely not alone. The good news is that this is a very normal stage that many children pass through as they explore foods, implements, mealtimes, gravity, and the reactions of people around them. For most kids, the food throwing stage will end on its own. If you want to help it pass, you can try:
1. Staying calm and not reacting (your reactions make throwing more interesting)
2. 'Redirecting' by showing or helping your child to place the food in a 'no thank you' bowl
3. Finishing the mealtime when your child starts throwing
4. Keeping the dogs outside at mealtimes! (Feeding the dogs is often one of our clients' favourite reasons to throw food. That said, it does provide an easy way to clean up...)

If you need additional support with mealtimes, eating or drinking, we're here to help! Call us on (03) 7034 6944 or use our website form here: https://www.proteatherapy.com.au/new-clients

04/12/2025

So many parents get really stressed when their baby or child doesn't eat much (or eats heaps) at a particular mealtime or on a particular day. But most kids are really good at being intuitive eaters, responding to their body's signals that can be influenced by their growth, their activity levels, their sleep, their mood, their health, their development... and much more! Allowing your baby or child to eat as much or as little as they feel that they need at that moment helps them develop a positive relationships with food, and can decrease mealtime stress.

If your baby or child is showing signs that they struggle to eat enough (for example, they're not growing or gaining weight as expected), that could be a sign that some extra support might be helpful. Speak to your GP, maternal and child health nurse, or paediatrician. And if you need help with your child's eating and drinking skills, you can contact Protea Therapy on (03) 7034 6944 or at https://www.proteatherapy.com.au/new-clients

27/11/2025

It can be tricky as a parent to know whether problems or struggles with feeding are 'normal', or something to seek help for. This free questionnaire from is a quick and easy tool you can use to help you figure out whether you need to chat to your child's doctor or therapy team about their feeding. You can also print out the results and take them along to your appointment to show your provider why you might be concerned. Access it here: https://questionnaire.feedingmatters.org/

Thanks for this amazing free resource!