Feeding Milestones

(American Speech-Language and Hearing Association, ASHA)

Birth to 3 months

• Holds head up when supported

• Turns head toward nipple and opens mouth

• Latches onto nipple or bottle

• Tongue moves forward and back to suck

• Sucks and swallows well during feeding

4 to 6 months

• Brings hands to the breast or bottle

• Pats breast or bottle

• Brings hands or toys to mouth

• Starts to sit up in cradle position and holds breast or bottle during feeding

• Sits supported in highchair with straps and when reclined

• Opens mouth for spoon

• Uses tongue to move food to back of mouth for swallowing

6 to 9 months

• Holds head up when sitting upright

• Leans forward to receive foods

• Still needs support from highchair around waist and legs, including footrest

• Reaches for toys and food

• Picks up food with fingers

• Brings food to mouth with hands and starts to feed self

• Tries to hold spoon

• Starts to drink from a cup, but may bite edge or straw, some liquid spills out of mouth

• Drools less

• Moves food around mouth using tongue

• Munches

9 to 12 months

• Holds bottle or cup with both hands

• Sits upright in highchair with minimal assistance

• Holds spoon during meal

• Feeds self with fingers

• Takes a small bite from a larger piece of food

• Begins chewing food on both sides of mouth (“rotary chewing”)

• Closes lips during swallow