Infant Feeding & Swallowing at 18 Months: A Snapshot
Feeding can be a daunting prospect for mother and baby alike. There are lots of things for both of you two learn as you get to know the best routine for a feed. Below is a list of the approximate milestones you could expect from your baby by the time they are 18 months old.
New Skills:
Sits Upright: Can sit upright with feet on the floor or a flat surface (in a highchair, booster seat, or on the floor).
Feeds Self: Uses utensils or fingers to feed themselves.
Drinks Independently: Drinks from a sippy cup without help and can drink from an open cup with some spilling.
How Baby Eats:
Moves Food with Tongue: Uses their tongue to move food from side to side in their mouth.
Drinks from Straw: Drinks from a straw without help and without spilling.
What Can Baby Eat/Drink:
Mixed Consistencies: Foods with mixed textures (like a stew or casserole).
Liquids: Human milk, pasteurized whole milk, and water.
Feeding & Swallowing Tips & Tricks
Seek Help Early: If your child has trouble breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or eating solids, get help early to prevent problems and support a healthy relationship with food.
Teach Hunger and Fullness Cues: Help your child understand when they are hungry and full to promote healthy eating habits.
Serve a Variety of Foods: Offer different kinds of foods and don’t get discouraged if they don’t like something the first few times.
Make Meals Fun: Turn mealtime into a playful experience. Have a picnic lunch outside or finger paint with applesauce to introduce new foods.
Please note the above information is general in nature and is not intended as professional medical advice. Please seek an appointment with a registered speech-language pathologist if you are at all worried about your child's development.
References:
ASHA (2024). Feeding and Swallowing Milestones: 18 Months. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. https://www.asha.org/public/developmental-milestones/feeding-and-swallowing-milestones-12-to-18-months/