A child’s development

Physical abilities

• Your newborn baby cannot hold their own head. You must support it.

Eating skills

• The baby knows how to suckle, swallow, and breathe while being breastfed or drinking from a bottle.

The baby’s signals when they are hungry or full

• The baby cries when hungry.
• The baby looks at the caregiver. They open their mouth to drink. The baby gives clear signs when they want to keep drinking.
• When the baby is full, they refuse the nipple or the bottle. The baby stops sucking or falls asleep while drinking.

Suitable foods

• Breast milk or baby formula

Physical abilities

• The baby can sit with support.
• The baby can lie on the tummy, pushing themselves up with their arms until their elbows are fully extended.

Eating skills

• The baby no longer spits up as much.
• The baby recognises the spoon. If you hold the spoon close to their mouth, the baby opens it.

The baby’s signals when they are hungry or full

• If the baby is still hungry, their head moves forward. They want to reach the spoon.
• When hungry, the baby pushes the food towards their mouth.
• When the baby is full, they are easily distracted or turn their head to the side.

Suitable foods

• Breast milk or baby formula
• Fein püriertes Essen

Physical abilities

• The baby can sit on its own.
• The baby can pick up and hold small things.
• The baby reaches for food or a spoon.

Eating skills

• The baby can eat mashed food. They keep the food in their mouth and eat it.
• The baby tries to hold the food with their fist. They try to move the food towards their mouth.
• The baby passes the food from one hand to the other.
• The baby can drink from a cup with a little help.

The baby’s signals when they are hungry or full

• When hungry, the baby reaches for the spoon or the food.
• The baby might also point at the food.
• When full, the baby keeps their mouth closed or spits out the food.

Suitable foods

• Breast milk or baby formula
• Pureed or mashed food. The food should not contain any pieces that the baby can feel in their mouth.

Physical abilities

• The baby learns to crawl.
• The baby tries to stand on their own feet.

Eating skills

• The baby grabs pieces of food with their hands and brings them to their mouth.
• The baby can hold a cup.
• The baby can hold small pieces of food with their thumb and index finger.

The baby’s signals when they are hungry or full

• When hungry, the baby reaches for the spoon or the food.
• The baby might also point at the food.
• When hungry, the baby is happy to get food.
• When the baby is full, they eat slower or push the food away.

Suitable foods

• Breast milk or baby formula
• Grated, mashed, or finely chopped food
• Soft food
• Offer your baby different foods. They should get to know different flavours.