Which condition is commonly associated with hypotonia and feeding difficulties in infancy and often prompts early OT assessment?

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Hypotonia in infancy with feeding difficulties is a pattern you often see with Down syndrome. Generalized low muscle tone affects the oral-motor system—lip closure, tongue control, and jaw stability—making sucking, swallowing, and coordinating breaths during feeds more challenging. This combination commonly prompts early occupational therapy to support safe, efficient feeding and to start building foundational motor skills for later development. OT goals here include improving oral-motor control, optimizing feeding position and rhythm, and supporting trunk and proximal stability to aid overall development. While other conditions can involve hypotonia or feeding issues, Down syndrome most consistently presents with this infantile profile, leading to early OT involvement.