In short

  • Chewing is learned in stages, from munching to mature chewing.
  • Safe finger foods and teething toys help your baby practice, always supervised.
  • Move on from smooth purees between about 7 and 9 months.

How chewing develops

Chewing is a learned skill that coordinates the tongue, cheeks and jaw. Babies move through stages:

  • Up-and-down munching.
  • Moving food to the side with the tongue, onto the gums.
  • Mature, circular (rotary) chewing.

Helping your baby practice

  • Teething toys and safe finger foods: let your baby practice biting and moving their tongue side to side, always supervised.
  • Move through textures: don’t stay on smooth purees too long. Moving on to mashed, lumpier textures and soft finger foods between about 7 and 9 months helps prevent trouble with textures later.

At your baby's own pace

Every baby builds chewing skills and iron stores at their own rate. If you're worried about your baby's iron, signs of anemia, or ongoing trouble chewing or swallowing, talk to your pediatrician or a pediatric feeding or speech therapist.

Sources

All articles, recipes, guides, tips and chat answers in Mama & Baby Bites are for general information and education only. They are not medical, pediatric or nutritional advice, and they don't replace care from a qualified professional. In an emergency, call 911.