Experts in Pediatric Feeding Disorder
At FirstSTAGES Feeding Specialists, we support both families & professionals navigating the complexities of pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) challenges using our Nurtured Feeding Approach™
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Weight gain, intake, and growth concerns
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Bottle and breastfeeding challenges
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Reflux, allergens, and feeding discomfort
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Feeding refusal or aversion
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Tongue ties and oral function concerns
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Suck-swallow-breathe coordination
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Transition to solids
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Gagging, chewing, and texture progression
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Limited food variety or picky eating
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Long feeds or missed volume goals
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Stressful mealtimes
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At FirstSTAGES Feeding Specialists, we help families create calmer, more connected feeding experiences. Through our comprehensive Nurtured Feeding Approach™ assessment, we identify the root cause of feeding challenges and create a supportive plan that strengthens growth, trust, and confidence.
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Outside of Virginia or looking for guidance from home? Explore our parent courses and coaching programs Book a free info call to learn more!
Ways To Work With US
We help Professionals
If you’re a therapist, medical provider, or early intervention professional, we offer training and mentorship to support deeper clinical reasoning and application of the Nurtured Feeding Approach™.
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We support professionals through:
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On-Demand Learning & Courses
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Focused Modules
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Live Training (In-Person & Virtual)
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Clinical Mentorship
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Whether supporting an individual clinician or an entire care team, our goal is to help you build a confident, aligned, and evidence-informed feeding program that improves outcomes for both children and families.
Ann Marie Presberg MS CCC-SLP
Founder of FirstSTAGES Feeding Specialists
​Developer of the Nurtured Feeding Approach™
Creator of the:
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FirstSTAGES Age & Evidence-Based Guide™
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​ FirstSTAGES Feeding Calculator™
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FirstSTAGES Feeding Tracker™ ​
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FirstSTAGES Tools for your Toolkit ™
Ann Marie is a nationally recognized Pediatric Feeding Disorder specialist with over 25 years of experience helping infants, toddlers, and children with complex feeding challenges.
She is the founder of FirstSTAGES Feeding Specialists and creator of the Nurtured Feeding Approach™, a responsive, evidence-informed, relationship-centered framework for evaluating and treating feeding challenges. Her work focuses on identifying the root cause of feeding difficulties while supporting growth, trust, connection, and confidence within the parent-child feeding relationship.
Ann Marie’s clinical background includes NICU, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, Early Intervention, and private practice. She also developed the FirstSTAGES Age and Evidence Based Guide™ and FirstSTAGES Feeding Calculator™, tools designed to support more accurate interpretation of feeding, growth, intake, and development.
At the heart of Ann Marie’s work is the belief that children often reveal the “why” behind their feeding challenges when we slow down, listen, and respond with the right support.
Outside of her professional life, Ann Marie enjoys spending time with her husband and their five lively boys.
