Child Feeding & Swallowing Milestones Guide

Feeding and swallowing are vital for toddlers and kids as these processes ensure they receive the necessary nutrients for growth and development. Proper feeding and swallowing skills also contribute to overall health, speech development, and social interactions. Mastering these abilities allows children to eat a variety of foods safely, maintain hydration, and confidently participate in mealtime activities.

According to studies by the New York State Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NYSSLHA), as many as 25% to 40% of typically developing infants and children are estimated to experience feeding and swallowing disorders at some point during their early years. In children with disabilities, these problems may persist as they grow older. 

In this blog, you’ll find a guide to child feeding and swallowing milestones. These milestones are intended to help you understand what to expect as your child grows and develops and when it might be necessary to consult a speech-language pathologist. When evaluating the milestones, consider the age ranges below and above your child’s age. It’s important to note that these milestones are not intended for screening or diagnostic purposes.

Child Feeding Milestones: Understanding Age Ranges

According to ASHA, Feeding and Swallowing Milestones are categorized based on Age Ranges. These milestones cover feeding and swallowing development in children. Children’s nutritional needs change as they grow and may differ from those of other children. It’s important to check with your child’s pediatrician for feeding recommendations specific to your child’s needs. Each child develops uniquely, even within the same family, and may meet certain milestones earlier or later than others. 

Feeding and Swallowing Milestones: Birth to 1 Year

Birth to 3 Months

What can my baby do? Your newborn can suck, swallow, and coordinate these actions for feeding. They may also show interest and turn their head towards a bottle or breast.

How does my baby eat and drink? Your baby will feed by sucking and swallowing either milk or formula from the breast or a bottle. They may need to pause frequently to catch their breath.

What should my baby be eating and drinking? It is recommended to provide breast milk or formula for your baby’s first year of life.

4 to 6 Months

What can my baby do? Your baby can open their mouth when offered, move food from a spoon to the back of their mouth, and swallow pureed or mashed foods.

How does my baby eat and drink? Your baby will continue to feed from a bottle or breast and may begin to eat pureed or mashed solid foods.

What should my baby be eating and drinking? Breast milk or formula, along with pureed or mashed solid foods.

6 to 9 Months

What can my baby do? Your baby can grasp small food pieces and transport them to their mouth, chew on soft, easily dissolved foods, and drink from a cup with assistance.

How does my baby eat and drink? Your baby will continue to feed from a bottle or breast and may begin to eat soft, dissolvable solid foods and drink from a cup with assistance.

What should my baby be eating and drinking? Breast milk or formula, soft, dissolvable solid foods, and some drinking from a cup.

9 to 12 Months

What can my baby do? Your baby can feed themselves finger foods, drink from a cup, and chew on soft, solid foods.

How does my baby eat and drink? Your baby will continue to feed from a bottle or breast and may begin to eat more solid foods and drink from a cup independently.

What should my baby be eating and drinking? Breast milk or formula is a variety of soft, solid foods that can be drunk from a cup.

Feeding and Swallowing Milestones: 12 to 18 Months

What can my child do? Your child can feed themselves with a spoon and fork, drink from a cup, and chew on soft, solid foods.

How does my child eat and drink? Your child will continue to feed from a bottle or breast and may begin to eat more table foods and drink from a cup independently.

What types of food should my child be eating and drinking? Breast milk or formula is a variety of soft, solid foods that can be drunk from a cup.

Feeding and Swallowing Milestones: 18 to 24 Months

What can my child do? Your child can feed themselves with a spoon and fork, drink from a cup, and chew on soft, solid foods.

How does my child eat and drink? Your child will continue to eat various table foods and drink from a cup independently.

What types of food should my child be eating and drinking? A balanced diet of healthy, age-appropriate foods and drinking from a cup.

Feeding and Swallowing Milestones: 2 to 3 Years

What should my child be able to do? Your child can independently feed themselves using a fork and spoon, although they may still use their fingers frequently.

How does my child eat and drink? Your child can feed themselves with a spoon and fork, drink from a cup, and chew on soft, solid foods.

What types of food should my child be eating and drinking? A balanced diet of healthy, age-appropriate foods and drinking from a cup.

What can we do to help

Trust your parental instincts and promptly seek help if your child faces challenges with breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or eating solid foods. Early intervention can prevent feeding issues and foster a healthy food relationship for both you and your child.

By understanding these feeding and swallowing milestones, you can effectively support your child’s growth and ensure they get the right nutrition. If your child has difficulty meeting these milestones, our certified speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are here to provide assessments and guidance.

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