Transitioning to Solids and
Early Feeding Development

Transition to purees and solids typically begins around 6 months of age.  During this stage, infants are developing the oral motor, sensory, and postural skills required for safe and efficient feeding.

From approximately 6-12 months, solid foods are primarily focused on building feeding skills and positive mealtime experiences, while breastmilk and/or formula remain the primary source of nutrition.

As oral motor skills mature - including jaw stability, tongue mobility, and chewing patterns- infants gain the ability to manage increasingly complex textures. When this developmental progression is disrupted, children may rely on compensatory patterns that make advancement to textured foods difficult, or even refusal of certain foods or all solid foods.

Early identification of these challenges can prevent more persistent feeding difficulties in the toddler years.

Transitioning to Solids

Symptoms of Feeding Difficulties
When Transitioning to Solids

The presence of one or more of the following may indicate the need for a feeding evaluation:

Starting Purees, You May Notice:

  • Difficulty transitioning from bottle/breast to spoon

  • Persistent, heightened gagging

  • Gagging that leads to vomiting

  • Difficulty progressing beyond pureed textures

  • Closing lips tightly or turning away from the spoon

  • Slow or limited weight gain

Advancing to Textured Solids You May Notice:

  • Limited acceptance of textured foods (especially beyond 12 months)

  • Difficulty chewing or moving food side-to-side

  • Holding food in the cheeks (pocketing)

  • Food remaining on the palate (roof of their mouth) or molars

  • Frequent coughing or choking with solids

  • Refusal of entire food groups

  • Mealtimes exceeding 30 minutes

  • Difficulty mastering straw or open cup drinking

Oral Function and Postural Indicators

  • Open-mouth posture at rest

  • Tongue resting low or forward

  • Mouth breathing when not congested

  • Difficulty closing lips on spoon, straw, or cup

  • Jaw tension or retracted lower jaw

  • Upper lip protrusion

  • Concerns regarding oral structure or tethered oral tissues

  • Difficulty weaning from pacifier 

What to Expect During an Evaluation

A comprehensive evaluation includes assessment of:

  • Oral motor strength and coordination (jaw, tongue, lips, cheeks, etc.)

  • Jaw stability and graded chewing patterns

  • Tongue lateralization and bolus formation

  • Sensory-motor and texture tolerance

  • Swallow safety

  • Self-feeding development

  • Oral posture at rest

  • Upper airway function impacting feeding and swallowing

  • Mealtime dynamics and caregiver concerns

If Therapy is Recommended

If treatment is recommended after an evaluation, therapy may and often focuses on the following:

  • Improving oral motor strength, coordination, and resting posture

  • Supporting safe swallow function and monitoring airway protection

  • Advancing age-appropriate food and liquid textures 

  • Reducing heightened gag responses 

  • Developing jaw stability and graded chewing patterns

  • Supporting straw cup, open cup, and utensil skill development

  • Creating structured, low-stress mealtime routines

  • Improving sensory regulation and feeding readiness

  • Gradual expansion of food variety and texture modification

  • Guidance on IDDSI levels when medically indicated

  • Ongoing caregiver education and home coaching

  • Collaboration with pediatricians and specialists when appropriate

Baby-led weaning (BLW) is an approach to introducing solids, in which infants are offered appropriately sized pieces of whole foods rather than being spoon-fed purees.  When foundational skills are present, including trunk stability, emerging chewing patterns, and coordinated swallowing, BLW can support oral-motor development and independence.

However, not all infants are ready for a fully traditional BLW approach.  When feeding difficulties are present, safety and current skill level must guide progression. 

At Thrive Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Therapy, we support families interested in BLW through an individualized, skill-based approach that may include:

  • Texture modification to ensure safety

  • Gradual progression of food size and consistency

  • Support for emerging chewing

  • Building oral mobility, coordination and function (tongue, lips, cheeks, jaw, etc.)

  • Monitoring for gagging, fatigue, or inefficient bolus control

  • Education on recognizing developmental readiness signs

Our goal is not to replace your feeding philosophy, but to adapt it in a way that supports your child's individual motor skills and developmental readiness.

What About Baby-Led Weaning?