Progression is what’s important

Your little one’s oral and motor skills, hand eye co-ordination, digestion and physical abilities will change and develop at their own pace over the first six months. There are a few important things to remember…
General Practitioner Dr. Stephanie Ooi explains:

"Remember that each baby is different and what’s important is that you can see progress in their development. Don’t worry too much about hitting milestones, or comparing your little one to other babies, use these as a guide as to what you might expect to happen next – this allows you to focus on what your little one is achieving.

Physical changes are easy to spot but know that your little one’s brain is also changing so much. You may start to see them noticing what’s going on around them, recognise your face or even start to mimic simple sounds like mama or dada – which is always an amazing moment."

Early Years Development Specialist Sophie Pickles reiterates:

"It’s not about a schedule of fixed milestones and it’s true that you shouldn’t worry, as each baby will reach key milestones at different times. However, if they haven’t shown progression three to six months after the time that is common for a particular milestone, check-in with your GP or Healthcare Professional."

Are there any signs that my baby is ready to wean?

Kiddylicious Nutritionist Katie Angotti explains:

"There are a few key signs that let you know your little one is ready to start their weaning journey. Before your baby is ready to wean, they need to be able to hold their neck and head steady – many babies will be able to sit by themselves as well but not always. Then, coordinate their eyes, hands, and mouth so they can look at their food, pick it up, put it in their mouth and swallow it. You will start to notice them picking things up whilst they are playing: a teether, toy, or a spoon and more often than not, these head straight towards their mouth. This is a great sign that they have started to develop the skills that are necessary for self-feeding. As they progress and become more used to bringing food to their mouths, they develop a ‘pincer grip’ which allows them to pick up smaller foods more easily, such as peas."

Expert top tip

“Tummy time is a great way to help your baby develop core and neck strength, which feeds into developing the physical skills needed for weaning, crawling, and eventually walking. Parents often think tummy time means laying your baby on the floor, which can result in them getting upset. This is because it’s not a position they feel safe in, they can’t see you and they’re worried what’s going on. So actually, wearing your baby in a carrier is a great way of doing tummy time and increasing their core strength. It’s also a fantastic bonding opportunity!” recommends Kiddylicious Early Years Development Specialist, Sophie Pickles.

All of our experts recommend if your little one is experiencing any issues with feeding, then speak to your healthcare professional or your GP for additional advice and support.