Achieving feeding milestones can be exciting. From infant suckling to chewing of solids we love to watch your children develop and grow. These guidelines can help you understand what to expect and when to reach out for help.
0-3 Months
Nippling from breast or bottle with rhythmic suck-swallow-breathe pattern. Feeding in a reclined position (45 degrees). Takes 2-6 ounces 6 or more times/day. Hand to mouth exploration begins.
4-6 Months
Baby engages in more active sucking. Feeding in a semi-reclined position (45-85 degrees). Volume of each feeding increases as number of feedings in a day decreases. Pureed foods often introduced during this time.
7-9 Months
Baby anticipates puree from the spoon with an open mouth posture. Active lip movement allows them to use their upper lip to remove food from the spoon. Soft and easily dissolvable solids are introduced as self finger feeding skills emerge. Cup and straw drinking are often introduced.
10-12 Months
Mashed, ground, or chopped table foods are introduced as babies develop a controlled bite and munching skills. Babies are learning to move food from the midline to the sides of the mouth. Pincer grasp is improving with an increase in finger feeding. Cup drinking is improving with some tongue protrusion under the cup for stability.
13-15 Months
Chopped table foods are frequently provided with noteable improvement in biting and chewing skills. Licks food off of lips and moves food within the mouth. Self feeding with a spoon is emerging. Increased cup or straw drinking with better stability.
16-18 Months
Children are exploring solids that require stronger chewing skills with harder solids being presented. No longer losing significant amounts of food or liquid when eating or drinking as lip closure while chewing is developing. Messy self feeding with a spoon.
19-30 Months
Children gain more control of self feeding and cup drinking. Longer sequences of drinking are displayed with little to no spillage from the mouth. By 2 years children are typically able to manage most table foods and self feed well with a spoon. Chewing skills are maturing to a rotary chew pattern. Use of a fork is introduced. NOTE: *Choking hazards remain and safety precautions should be followed such as, but not limited to, cutting hots dogs, grapes and cheese sticks into small pieces and avoiding popcorn.*
”Alisa was a true lifesaver for our whole family. When we met her, my daughter could not get through one bottle without choking and aspirating her milk. She worked closely with us throughout the whole process, and didn’t stop until we figured out what the issue was and how to resolve it. She was very responsive and was such a source of comfort during this difficult time. Once we overcame my daughters feeding issues, she seamlessly transitioned into working on her speech delays. She worked with my daughter and my family for over 5 years and I don’t know what we would have done without her. Four years later, and she still touches base just to say hi and see how we are all doing.
Jillian
