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FEEDING AT A GLANCE: Birth - 24 months
Age
Food Sequence
Food Presentation
Developmental Skills, Implications for Feeding
Birth to 6 months
Breastmilk and/or iron-fortified
formula satisfies all nutritional
requirements. Solid foods not
nutritionally needed, but infant
may want
Breast and/or bottle
Designed to suck, not chew
Rooting reflex; searches for food
source
Tongue-thrust reflex pushes out
solid foods
Sensitive gag reflex
Self-feeding skills improve
Holds bottle and cup longer
Points and pokes, smears, enjoys
mess
High-chair gymnastics increase
Tries to use utensils, spills most
Participates in family meals
Eats chopped and mashed family foods
Begins self-feeding with utensils
Has prolonged attention span
"Do it myself" desire intensifies
Tilts cup and head while
drinking, spills less
Holds spoon better, still spills
much
Begins walking – doesn't want
to sit still and eat
Picks at others' plates
Grazes – deserves title "picky eater"
Nibble tray
Weans from bottle
Uses spoon and fork
Molars appear – begins rotary chewing
Spoon-feeds self without spilling much
Learns food talk, signals for "more," "all done"
Wants to eat on the run—needs creative feeding to hold attention at table
Has erratic feeding habits
AskDrSears.com is intended to help parents become better informed consumers
of health care. The information presented in this site gives general advice
on parenting and health care. Always consult your doctor for your individual
needs.