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Teaching a baby to chew is an important milestone in their development of eating skills.
Chewing helps babies break down their food into smaller pieces, making it easier to swallow and digest.
Here are some tips on how to help your baby learn to chew:
Start With Soft Foods
Soft foods like cooked vegetables, pasta, or soft fruits are easier for babies to chew and can help them build confidence in their chewing skills.
Also Read: Do Babies Know When To Stop Eating?
Encourage Chewing
When you offer your baby food, encourage them to chew by modeling the behavior yourself.
Show them how to move the food around in their mouth and use their teeth and gums to break it down.
Offer Different Textures
As your baby becomes more confident in their chewing skills, gradually offer foods with different textures, such as chunky soups, meats, or crackers.
Be Patient
Learning to chew is a gradual process, and your baby may need time and practice to develop their skills.
Be patient and supportive, and celebrate their progress along the way.
Avoid Choking Hazards
While it’s important to encourage your baby to chew, it’s also crucial to avoid foods that are choking hazards, such as nuts, popcorn, hard fruit or veg or chunks of meat.
Cut harder foods into pieces that are slimmer than one of their fingers (approximately the size of their wind pipe) and only offer larger chunks of foods with softer textures to reduce the risk of choking.
Consult With A Pediatrician Or Feeding Specialist
If you have concerns about your baby’s ability to chew or swallow, or if they are having difficulty with certain foods, consult with a pediatrician or feeding specialist for guidance and support.
Also Read: Baby Makes Humming Noise While Breastfeeding
Bottom Line
In conclusion, teaching a baby to chew is an important part of their development of eating skills.
By offering soft foods, encouraging chewing, and gradually introducing different textures, you can help your baby build confidence in their chewing abilities.
Remember to be patient, avoid choking hazards, and consult with a pediatrician or feeding specialist if you have concerns about your baby’s feeding skills.