Developmental Milestones And Feeding Skills

Sucks well on nipple .
finishes each feeding within minutes by 4 months
Signs of hunger in newborns are increased alertness or activity, mouthing or rooting. Crying is a late indictor of hunger.

At 6 months, babies are physiologically and developmentally ready for solid foods
Sits independently for a short time
Drinks from a cup held by an adult
Eats soft food from a spoon or adult’s fingers
Uses both hands to hold a bottle
Prefers parents to feed
Plays with spoon
Initial refusal of new flavors and textures is not uncommon. It may take 3-10 offerings before an infant accepts a new food
Finger-feeding can be introduced
By 9 months, picks up small items using thumb and first finger (e.g., oat ring cereal)
Some infants have a more sensitive gag reflex and may not tolerate anything but pureed foods at first

Begins to take an active independent role in feeding
Assists with spoon; some become independent
Refining pincer grasp
Can hold cup and suck or sip contents, but may spill
More willing to accept lumpy textures, especially when self-feeding
Initial refusal of new flavours and textures is common. It may take up to10 offerings before infant accepts a new food
Licks food from lower lip

Picks up and eats finger foods
Grasps spoon with whole hand
Holds cup with 2 hands
Holds and tips bottle
Compared with the first year of life, a decreased or sporadic appetite is common
Unfamiliar foods are often rejected the first time

Chews broad range of food
Self-feeding predominates
Displays curiosity and desire to be independent
Decreased or sporadic appetite is common
Food neophobia (fear of the new) increases through early childhood and then declines. Unfamiliar foods are often rejected the first time _ Food likes and dislikes become prominent
Tend to go on food jags (refusal of all but 4 or 5 favourite foods over an extended period)
In non-controlling, non-coercive conditions, healthy children have the ability to self-regulate the amount of food and energy consumed

By 2 years, eats most foods without coughing and choking
By 2 years, eats with a utensil with little spilling
By 30 months, lifts and drinks from a cup and replaces it on the table
May be resistant to new foods
Food preferences increase with frequency of exposure. It may take 5- 15 exposures to a new food before a child learns to like it
It is normal for children to lose interest in mealtimes. When hungry, they will focus on eating. When satisfied, their attention turns elsewhere

By age 4, looks for adult approval
Food preferences increase with frequency of exposure. It may take 5-15 exposures to a new food before a child learns to like it
It is normal for children to lose interest in mealtimes. When hungry, they will focus on eating. When satisfied, their attention turns elsewhere