Thrive Therapies, LLC
Motor and Oral-Motor Milestones for Feeding (The First Year)
If you have concerns about your child's feeding development take a look at a list of feeding milestones below!
2 1/2 -3 1/2 months of age
Steady head and neck control
Responds to stimulation in and around the mouth
Effective breastmilk or formula consumption with the use of nipple (bottle of breast)
Good coordination of sucking, swallowing and breathing during feeds
Approximately 2-3 sucks of liquid before swallowing and breathing
4-6 months
Beginning hand to mouth play (mouthing objects)
Begins reaching for objects
Opens mouth when approached by spoon
Uses tongue to move purees to the back on the mouth
Eats from a small infant or toddler spoon
Brings both hands up to clasp bottle but may need some assistance
6-7 months
Sitting independently for greater than 3-5 seconds
Stable head control while sitting (no head bobbing)
Transfers toys and food from one hand to the other
Move their tongue up and down, and to the side when chewing food
Mouth and munch on the spoon, toys, and baby biscuits
7-9 Months
Mixed tongue movements (in/out, up/down)
Gag reflex is on the back third of the tongue
Teething begins between 5-9 months
Open cup drinking (jaw may still be unstable)
Begins standing on all fours (around 8 months)
8-10 months
Trunk rotation and weight shifting
Puts finger in mouth to move food and keep it in
Uses their fingers to rake the food towards themselves
Chewing softer foods
Starting to begin sitting up from lying on the side by pushing up with their hands
10-12 months
Independent sitting in a variety of positions
Developing pincer grasp
Clearing food off the lip emerges
Can transfer food from one side of the mouth to the other with tongue
Walks holding onto hands or furniture
Points at objects