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Infants

Important Developmental Milestones

2-4 months: sucking reflex integrates; feeding becomes voluntary and infant has control

4-6 months: introduction of smooth purees by spoon; munching observed

7 months: feeds self a cracker or other dissolvable solid

8 months: accepts textured purees and mashed table foods

9 months: holds and bangs a spoon; independent with finger-feeding; drinks from a straw

10-12 months: transitions to coarsely chopped and/or whole table foods such as cereal bars, avocado slices, etc.

Feeding Guidelines

Offer solid food consistently; 1-2x/day to start and 3x/day by 8-9 months old
Offer food 30-60 minutes before or after the breast or bottle; the first several weeks are about the experience, not about intake
Encourage your infant to explore food with her hands and mouth while you offer the spoon or pieces of food
Be attentive and patient during meals
Model enjoyment of your own food
Reassure your infant if she gags; know the difference between gagging and choking
Follow her cues closely; offer food until she lets you know she is done and do not push her to eat more

Common Challenges

Bottle refusal by breastfed infants
Gagging/vomiting with purees
Refusals, disinterest or crying at meals
Texture aversions
Spitting out food/tongue thrust
Food allergies/sensitivitie
Refusal to self-feed

For babies who refuse the bottle, this can be another method to provide them with milk while they are away from their mother. It is a great way to practice spoon feeding as well for those families who do not want to introduce solids until later (6-7 months).

One more tool to use for toothbrushing and self-feeding at meals. This rubber, textured brush comes with a guard to prevent your baby from gagging herself. The round head dipped in smooth purees can help your baby learn to tolerate textured purees as it safely introduces lumps in puree to help desensitize your baby's mouth.

This tool is a great teether for little hands, but is also a fantastic first "utensil" for babies as they transition to solid foods. The amount of texture on the head of the brush is perfect and the circular guard is important for preventing gagging. The ZoLi teether can be kept in the refrigerator or freezer to soothe baby's gums when teething, but can also be a huge help in giving the baby control during mealtimes.

This reusable drink box is a great tool to help your child understand the oral motor movements needed for expressing liquid. With a gentle squeeze, you can start the liquid up through the straw when your baby closes her lips on the hard straw end; often with a few, tiny squeezes your child will learn what to do to move the liquid herself. PLEASE do not squirt liquid into your baby's mouth when she is not ready!

Another great tool for encouraging your 8-12 month old to self-feed purees. These paddle-shaped tool is easier to use than a spoon and the soft, flexible is also great for teething mouths.

This silicone placemat is great for older infants and toddlers who are finger feeding and working on utensil use. The separate compartments can be used to offer dips and dippers, a nice variety of foods in appropriate portions, and the mini mat fits right on the high chair tray. These mats help keep food from sliding around and keep frustration to a minimum!

For babies who refuse the bottle, this can be another method to provide them with milk while they are away from their mother. It is a great way to practice spoon feeding as well for those families who do not want to introduce solids until later (6-7 months).

One more tool to use for toothbrushing and self-feeding at meals. This rubber, textured brush comes with a guard to prevent your baby from gagging herself. The round head dipped in smooth purees can help your baby learn to tolerate textured purees as it safely introduces lumps in puree to help desensitize your baby's mouth.

This tool is a great teether for little hands, but is also a fantastic first "utensil" for babies as they transition to solid foods. The amount of texture on the head of the brush is perfect and the circular guard is important for preventing gagging. The ZoLi teether can be kept in the refrigerator or freezer to soothe baby's gums when teething, but can also be a huge help in giving the baby control during mealtimes.

This reusable drink box is a great tool to help your child understand the oral motor movements needed for expressing liquid. With a gentle squeeze, you can start the liquid up through the straw when your baby closes her lips on the hard straw end; often with a few, tiny squeezes your child will learn what to do to move the liquid herself. PLEASE do not squirt liquid into your baby's mouth when she is not ready!

Another great tool for encouraging your 8-12 month old to self-feed purees. These paddle-shaped tool is easier to use than a spoon and the soft, flexible is also great for teething mouths.

This silicone placemat is great for older infants and toddlers who are finger feeding and working on utensil use. The separate compartments can be used to offer dips and dippers, a nice variety of foods in appropriate portions, and the mini mat fits right on the high chair tray. These mats help keep food from sliding around and keep frustration to a minimum!