Kids are like little puzzle pieces, each one a unique shape in the family picture. Their tummies and growth spurts dance to their own beat. It’s important to check with your child’s pediatrician for recommendations that are specific to your child’s needs.
What to expect What should my child be eating and drinking
Birth to 3 months
o   Holds head up when supported

o   Turns head towards the nipple and opens mouth

o   Latches on to the nipple

o   Sucks and swallows

o   Breast milk and/or formula
What to expect What should my child be eating and drinking
4 to 6 months
o   Brings hands and/or toys to the mouth

o   Starting to sit up

o   Holding the breast or bottle during feedings

o   Opens mouth for spoon

o   Use tongue to move food to back of mouth for swallowing

o   Breast milk and/or formula

o   Infant cereal mixed with breast milk or formula

o   Smooth baby foods (purees) with no lumps or chunks

What to expect What should my child be eating and drinking
6 to 9 months
o   Holds head up when sitting upright

o   Leans forward to receive foods

o   Reaches for toys and foods

o   Picks up foods with fingers

o   Brings foods to mouth with hands and starts to feed self

o   Tries to hold the spoon

o   Starts to drink from a cup, but may bite the cup edge or straw – some liquid may spill out of the mouth

o   Moves food around inside the mouth using their tongue

o   Munches – up and down jaw movements

o   Breast milk and/or formula and small amounts of water

o   Smooth baby foods with some small lumps, like mashed potatoes, applesauce, oatmeal or pudding

o   Soft, chewable, solid foods cut into small bites or strips, like pancake, toast, or cheese

What to expect What should my child be eating and drinking
9 – 12 months
o   Holds bottle or sippy cup with both hands

o   Sits upright in highchair with minimal assistance

o   Holds a spoon during meals

o   Feeds self with fingers

o   Takes small bites from a larger piece of food

o   Begins to chew foods on both sides of the mouth

o   Closes lips during a swallow

o   Soft bite-sized foods like sliced banana, cheese cubes, or pasta

o   Breast milk and/or formula and small amounts of water

What to expect What should my child be eating and drinking
12-18 months
o   Fees self with utensils or fingers

o   Drinks from a sippy cup without help and can drink from an open cup with some spilling

o   Uses their tongue to move food from side to side in the mouth

o   Drinks from a straw without help and without spilling

o   Foods made of mixed consistencies like soup with noodles, cereal in milk, or watermelon

o   Breast milk, pasteurized whole milk, and water

What to expect What should my child be eating and drinking
18-24 months
o   Sits without support

o   Feeds self with fingers or utensils

o   Drinks from a small cup with hands and has minimal spilling

o   Consistently chews foods on both sides of the mouth

o   Moves food around the mouth, chews, and swallows without spilling

o   Foods that require a lot of chewing like chicken breast – challenging foods should be cut into smaller pieces to avoid choking

o   Breast milk, pasteurized whole milk, water

What to expect What should my child be eating and drinking
2-3 years
o   Feeds themselves with fork and spoon but still uses their fingers

o   Drinks from an open cup without spilling

o   Chews all foods, including those with tougher textures, without gagging and choking.

o   Most crunchy, hard, or mixed texture food. Avoid offering foods like popcorn, hotdogs, or grapes that carry a choking hazard.

o   Breast milk, pasteurized fat-free or low-fat milk, or water.