Most children have a vigorous sucking
ability at birth, although many do not
perfect this skill until they are 4
weeks old. At 4 months, the infant will
begin to show signs of waiting for food.
For instance, the child's arm will often
move at the sight of food.
The infant will develop more tongue
control, sticking out his or her tongue
for the spoon. Careful, for if you place
the food well back on the child's
tongue, at this age the infant will
swallow a fair amount of air and need
periodic burping.
Between 5 and 6 months, the infants
develop lip control and can bring their
lips to a cup. The hands also are
developing at this age, and the child
will be able to grab a bottle with both
hands. Soon the baby will bring their
hands to the mouth and begin to develop
the ability to grasp a spoon with their
hands.
Between 6 and 9 months of age, the
child will learn to remove food from the
spoon and might be able to drink from a
cup. The child also will learn things
like a cracker without any assistance.
Between 9 and 12 months of age the
infant will achieve better finger
control and be able to grab small pieces
of food
He or she will try to use a spoon
alone, but will be used as a toy more
than a feeding instrument. The child
will be able to hold a cup but often
will spill its contents. At this age,
the child will begin to become choosy
about foods. Although infant taste buds
are quite developed, infants may be more
sensitive to food texture than to taste
and are likely to reject food because of
texture.
The period between 12 and 15 months
is one of the more trying times for
parents. Children begin throwing food
and utensils and become more assertive
in rejecting certain foods. Between 15
and 18 months their muscle ability
become more sophisticated and can handle
a cup full of liquid without spilling.
Between 18 and 24 months, children
can handle a cup well and drink through
a straw. The social aspects of feeding
will become more evident at this age, as
the child "eat" to name certain foods
and to know when food is "all gone"
At least 3 of a child's 1st 6 words
are usually related to food. At this
age, children also begin feeding their
favorite stuffed animals or dolls by 3
years of age a child should not be
spilling very much and should be able to
coordinate talking and eating.
