Baby Not Chewing Food
The short answer
Learning to chew is a developmental skill that babies build gradually over several months. Babies do not need teeth to chew; their gums are remarkably strong and effective at mashing soft foods. Most babies begin making chewing motions around 6 to 7 months and become more proficient by 9 to 12 months. If your baby seems to swallow food without chewing, it is usually a sign they need more practice with textured foods.
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
By Age
What to expect by age
6-7 months
Babies at this age are just beginning to develop munching patterns, which is an up-and-down jaw movement rather than the rotary chewing adults use. Offering soft, dissolvable foods like puffs or very soft cooked vegetables helps them practice. It is completely normal for them to gum food and swallow pieces that are soft enough without much actual chewing.
7-9 months
You should see a progression from simple munching to more sophisticated jaw movements. Babies start moving food from side to side with their tongue, which is essential for chewing. Offering foods with varied textures, such as soft lumps in purees, soft finger foods, and meltable solids, helps develop these skills. Babies who are kept on only smooth purees too long may have more difficulty progressing.
9-12 months
By this age most babies can handle soft table foods and are developing a rotary chewing pattern. If your baby is still only accepting smooth purees and refusing or gagging on any texture, it is a good idea to talk to your pediatrician. An occupational therapist or speech-language pathologist specializing in feeding can assess oral motor development and provide targeted strategies.
12-18 months
Toddlers should be managing a wide variety of textures by this age, though they may still prefer softer foods. Some toddlers "pocket" food in their cheeks rather than chewing and swallowing it, which can indicate oral motor weakness or sensory issues. If your toddler is not progressing in texture acceptance, a feeding evaluation is recommended.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby under 9 months gums soft food and swallows without visible chewing motions
- Your baby chews some foods but swallows others whole if they are small and soft enough
- Your baby has only been eating solids for a few weeks and is still learning
- Your baby chews well with finger foods but does not chew purees, which is expected since purees do not require chewing
- Your baby is over 9 months and still gags on anything thicker than smooth puree
- Your toddler consistently pockets food in their cheeks without swallowing
- Your baby seems unable to move food from the front to the back of their mouth
- Your baby is falling behind in other oral motor skills like babbling or drinking from a cup
- Your baby frequently chokes on foods that are appropriate for their age and texture level
- Your baby has difficulty swallowing liquids and seems to aspirate or cough during drinking
- Your child is over 18 months and cannot manage any textured foods beyond purees
Sources
Related Resources
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
Worrying about your baby means you care. That is a good thing.
Related Feeding Concerns
When to Introduce Allergens to Baby
Current guidelines recommend introducing common allergens (peanut, egg, cow's milk products, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, sesame) starting around 4-6 months when your baby is developmentally ready for solids. The landmark LEAP study showed that early introduction of peanuts (by 4-6 months) reduced peanut allergy risk by 80% in high-risk infants. Do not delay allergens - the old advice to wait until 1-3 years has been reversed because early exposure actually prevents allergies.
I'm Worried My Baby Is Aspirating During Feeds
Aspiration means liquid or food enters the airway instead of the stomach. Occasional coughing during feeds is common and does not usually indicate aspiration. True aspiration is less common and may present as recurrent respiratory infections, a wet or gurgly voice after feeds, or chronic cough. If you are concerned, a swallow study can provide a definitive answer.
Could My Baby Be Aspirating During Feeding?
Aspiration occurs when food or liquid enters the airway instead of the esophagus. Signs include coughing or choking during every feed, a wet or gurgly voice after eating, recurrent chest infections, and breathing changes during meals. Silent aspiration can occur without obvious coughing. If you suspect aspiration, contact your pediatrician as a swallowing study can diagnose it.
Baby Biting Nipple While Nursing
Biting during breastfeeding is a common challenge, especially when babies start teething. It can be startling and painful, but it is almost always a phase that can be managed. Babies cannot actively nurse and bite at the same time because their tongue covers the lower teeth during proper sucking. Biting typically happens at the beginning or end of a feed when the latch is not active. With some gentle strategies, most babies learn quickly that biting ends the feeding session.
My Baby Keeps Clamping Down on the Spoon
Clamping down on the spoon is very common, especially during teething or when babies are learning new oral motor skills. It is often a sensory exploration behavior rather than a feeding problem. Using a soft silicone spoon and placing food on the front of the spoon can help.
How Can My Baby Get Enough Calcium Without Dairy?
If your baby cannot have dairy due to allergy or intolerance, there are many other calcium sources. These include calcium-fortified foods, broccoli, kale, tofu made with calcium sulfate, beans, calcium-fortified plant milks (after 12 months), and sardines. Breast milk and formula provide adequate calcium before 12 months. If dairy-free after 12 months, planning is important.