Speech, Swallowing, & Voice Specialists of Hawaii
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4-6 MONTHS
Feeding/Swallowing Milestones
Typical milestones during this age range
Feeding/Swallowing
Shows interest in food and feeding is more a social event
Tongue movement includes small amount of up and down movement
Watches food, reaches for food
Opens mouth as spoon approaches (if beginning to give puree solids)
Hands on bottle (2-4 months)
Moves puree food from front of mouth to back (6 months)
Begins to eat infant cereals and puree foods (6 months)
May gag some with new textures
Begins eating in a more upright posture
Tooth eruption may begin (closer to 6 months and will continue until 12 months)
Gets distracted while eating due to socialization
Feeding/Swallowing is a fine motor skill that also involves a great deal of sensory components. For this reason, motor and sensory milestones for this age group are also listed below as a delay or disturbance in either could influence your child's feeding/swallowing ability.
Motor
Holds head steady, unsupported
Learning to control body against gravity
Visual fixation and tracking
Reaches for toys while on tummy
While lying on back, transfers toy from one hand to the other
While on back, reaches both hands to play with feet
Rolls from back to tummy and tummy to back
Begins to sit without support; uses own hands to support self if needed
Pushes down on legs when feet are on a hard surface
Can hold a toy and shake it and swing at dangling toys
Brings hands to mouth
When lying on stomach, pushes up to elbows
Rocks back and forth on all fours
Sensory
Uses both hands to explore toys
Generally happy when not hungry or tired
Brings hands and objects to mouth
Able to calm with rocking touching, and gentle sounds
Is not upset or fearful of everyday sounds, like playing with musical instruments
Enjoys a variety of movements (i.e., being gently swung)
Plays with toys of varied textures