1. Children's Eating Development

2. Gerber’s Progression (Birth, Sitter, Crawler, Toddler, Toddler 2+)
Eats/drinks breast milk and formula, needs total physical support
Supported Sitter (3-6 Months)
Sits up with help from adult
Sitter (6-8 Months)
Can sit independently without support, starts to grasp things
Crawler (8-12 months)
Crawls with stomach off floor, begins to self feed
Toddler (1-2 years)
Stands alone, begins to use utensils
Toddler 2 + (2-4 years)
Can run without falling, mastered chewing
and using utensils

3. Get your Taste Buds Ready! TASTE TEST TIME!!

4. Signs of Hunger and Fullness
moving toward spoon with open mouth
excited arm and leg movements
smacking lips, opening mouth
putting fist in mouth
Reaching for food
Fussing
 Fullness:
falling asleep
stopping sucking
slowing pace of eating
pushing or batting spoon away
closing mouth and turning away from spoon

5. Breast Feeding
Breast milk or formula should remain baby’s main source of nutrition for the first year. Feed 8-12 times a day as a new born Doctors agree that breast milk is the best source of nutrition for your baby Begin breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth.

6. Breast Feeding to Formula
Start by replacing just one breastfeeding at the same time each day. After a few days, replace another breastfeeding with a bottle of formula, if you desire.
Continue this process as a progression until fully transferred to formula.

7. Introducing New Food
The experience of tasting new flavors, experiencing new textures and learning hunger and fullness cues.
A good way to introduce slowly is purees, thicker purees with real fruits and veggies, soft quick melting snacks, chewable snacks.
As a child’s physical development increases, their need for more calories will too.

8. The Importance of Progression
Introduce new foods slowly!
Wait at least 3 days in between new foods to check for allergy reactions
Always consult your physician if you have questions or need help deciding when and what is appropriate to begin feeding your child

9. Readiness for Solids!? Usually begins the middle of the first year
If a child can use the “pincer” grasp to pick up pieces of food (thumb and pointer finger)
Ability to sit up with support
Can take and swallow food from a spoon
If the child can start using their jaw muscles to break down and chew foods.

10. Eating Difficulties Spitting up
To help decrease the frequency of spitting up, make feedings smaller and a little more frequent.
Burp your baby at least every three to five minutes during a feeding.
Avoid bottle-feeding your baby
when he/she is lying down and place
her in an upright position immediately
after she is finished.
Avoid overfeeding.

11. Safety With Finger Foods
Be there. Always stay close by when your baby is eating
Make sure your baby doesn’t bite off more than he/she can chew. Cut her food into small pieces rather than giving her a large piece.
No dining in cars. Avoid giving your baby finger food in the car.

12. Toddler Tasty Time Variety is beginning to pick up
Portions are age appropriate and food are healthy choices
Switch slowly to Cow’s Milk- WHOLE (2%), they NEED the fat for proper development!