Typical Feeding Progression in Young Children
| FOOD TYPES/TEXTURES | ORAL MOTOR MATURATION | SELF FEEDING | FEEDING BEHAVIOURS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 months | Formula or Breast milk | Able to latch onto nipple and coordinate breathing with sucking; mild leakage from side of mouth is common. | Held and fed by adults. | Cry and fuss when hungry. Turn towards and maintain brief eye contact with mom/feeder when fed. |
| 3-6 months | Formula or Breast milk | Longer nursing time and better seal on the nipple. | Held and fed by adults. | Maintain longer eye contact with feeder; may smile out of content. |
| 5-6 months | Thin semi-solid foods (baby cereals) introduced along with formula or breast milk | Will open mouth to accept semi-solids from a spoon. | Spoon-fed by adults. | Sit on high chair with support. |
| 6-8 months | Thicker semi-solids with some lumps (cereals and fruits); quick melt puffs and crackers; formula or breast milk; can introduce water or diluted juice. | Start developing munching pattern and can mash thicker semi-solids with small lumps. Can strip food off spoon effectively; lean forward to anticipate spoon coming. | Lap at liquids from cup held by an adult. Pincer grasp emerges close to 8 months. | Begin to show anticipation for feeding when put on high chair or sees feeding utensils. Shake head or make noises to indicate being full. |
| 8-10 months | Fork mashed or finely chopped foods; bread; pureed meats; formula/breast milk; water/ juice. | Develop more mature chewing (diagonal chewing) | Holds bottle or sippy cup and tips over. Improved Pincer grasp. Explore food with fingers; does not always aim right to the mouth. | Show interest in feeding by grabbing utensils and food in sight- lots of food play! Typical mealtime is around 15-20 minutes. |
| 10-12 months | Finely chopped foods including meat; egg yolk; formula/breast milk; water/juice | Mature rotary chewing develops. Can drink 2-3 oz from sippy cup or straw at a setting. | Improved finger-feeding self; may try out feeding self with spoon. | Will fuss if parent is slow with feeding; drops or throws food off tray when full. |
| 12-18 months | Most table foods cut-up to bite sizes; may switch to whole milk. Eats some items per food group: proteins, carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables. | Can manage bite- size cooked foods and crunchy, quick dissolve foods.
Use straw cups or open cup. |
Assert more independence by grabbing and using spoon/fork, but more efficient in using fingers to self-feed. | May ask for “more” and indicate full by saying ‘done’. Mealtime should around 30 minutes and does not exceed 45 minutes. |