ARK's Blog

Question:  I am an OT and a new mom to my 6-month-old daughter. We have just started introducing solid foods, but she drinks from only a bottle. I was wondering if you had any tips for transitioning from bottle to cup.  I have heard mixed reviews regarding sippy cups... .  I am not against using the right sippy cup as an intermediate step to teach cup drinking.  How …

Finger feeding is a very important step towards 1. feeding independence and 2. setting the stage for healthy eating habits.  Finger feeding typically starts at about 8-10 months, but of course there are always exceptions.  A friend of mine didn’t start with her baby until 11 months of age for example. In order to be ready for finger feeding, your child needs to be able to …

Before mealtime: •  Play with sensory-stimulating toys, such as koosh balls, peanut balls, bubbles, play-doh, massagers, any toys/books with interesting textures, etc. •  Give the child sensory input through physical sensory-stimulating activities, such as bouncing on a ball, jumping, swinging, etc. . In preparation for mealtime: •  Put the child in a highchair/booster …

For infants, learning how to bite and chew is a crucial stage of feeding development.  At approximately 5-6 months of age, babies begin using their fingers and mouths for oral exploration using a bite and release pattern.  The development of biting and chewing continues from this point on, with the baby refining the movements of the jaw, tongue, and lips.  When infants miss a part o …