Baby-to-toddler feeding milestones
You’ve started your baby on solids, but what can you expect next as they journey through the feeding milestones?
So what can I expect at 7-9 months?
By the time your baby reaches 7 months, they should be comfortable sitting in a highchair and be able to hold and attempt to drink from a baby cup.
Eating thicker pureed and mashed foods like potatoes is the next stage for them to master.
You may also soon start to notice that your baby stays fuller for longer after meals and is able to show a reaction to the new smells and tastes they are trying.
And what happens at 10-12 months?
By this stage your little one is probably creating quite a mess at mealtimes and finger foods might now be your baby’s favourite way of eating. The variety of what your baby will eat now should be increasing and now is a good time to practice using an open cup.
Your baby has no doubt been mastering soft-cooked vegetables, soft fruits, and finger foods such as cooked pasta and will be enjoying a greater variety of smells and tastes by now. This might also be a good time to introduce their own plastic spoon and fork to get them learning to use them as they eat.
What happens at 13-18 months?
Your toddler should now be comfortable using a spoon by themselves, though practice may still be needed. Swallowing from the cup without sucking, or spilling much should be becoming more easy now. Your little one will also be able to let you know when their full, by closing their mouth or passing you the bowl, or shake their head to let you know that’s enough.
And what can I expect when my toddler’s 18-24 months?
Even though your toddler may still play with food (or throw it!) when they’re full, they should be becoming a less messy eater. The may have even mastered picking up a cup and putting it down on the table without spilling their drink.
Practice with the spoon and fork should be going well and they may have even learned to not necessarily open their mouth wide to bite into food. Your toddler will more than likely be using words such as ‘more’ and ‘all gone’ to let you know when their still hungry or finished eating.