There are a lot of myths around the introduction of pieces. Parents are often afraid of choking and do not dare to offer the pieces to their baby. There is also a lot of information on the internet and social networks that can lead parents astray, or even scare them. So let's go through it point by point, to help you through this stage.
I'm afraid he won't make it?
It is important to know that your baby, from birth, is full of skills.
There are two reflexes that are present and will continue to develop.
The tongue orientation reflex, which will later become the lateral movements of the tongue in chewing, and the chewing reflex, which will later become a chewing reflex.
By dint of exploring with his mouth in the first few months, baby will be ready at the motor level to accept and manage pieces.
When should you offer your baby chunks?
You can start to give your baby bits and pieces as soon as :
- It sits upright without the need for compensation
- He does hand-to-mouth, i.e. he fetches objects to put them in his mouth
- He shows an interest in his parents' diet
It is not necessary to wait until the teeth appear before switching to chunks. The masseter muscles in the cheeks are powerful and ensure that the food is crushed.
Another method is to increase the gradient of the purée to have thicker purées, then granular purées (with small grains) and then lumpy purées (with pieces).
But it can choke?
There are reflexes in humans to protect the airways.
Indeed, if the morsel is not chewed enough, it cannot be swallowed. Your child will therefore spit it out or vomit and this is not choking. So don't panic, just let go and let him manage.
Where to start?
From the moment your baby can sit up and is 6 months old. You can offer him all foods.
However, you must pay attention to the texture of the food. Baby is an apprentice eater, and chewing will not be mature until he is between 4 and 6 years old.
So in the meantime, you should remain attentive, starting with melting foods (to find out if it's OK, you taste them and try to crush them on the palate) and crunchy foods (they crunch and melt).
To give you some examples: cooked vegetables, cooked fruits, pancakes, quiches, flower bread...
The occupational therapist's little extras for giving baby bits and pieces
If baby has difficulty chewing, he swallows or spits it out.
We will increase sensory input : we can prepare his mouth before eating by massaging his gums.
And yes, if we perceive better, the motor response is better.
We offer foods that crunch to make the baby hear, to make him feel in his jaw and we can offer strong tastes to make him feel better.
In any case, give yourself time to explore, don't rush into eating too much, it will come.
Â
Occupational therapist specialising in eating disorders in children
1 Comment. Write a new one
[âŠ] RĂ©fĂ©rence 2 [âŠ]