Your child’s second and third years bring many exciting milestones. It’s a time of rapid growth, maturation, and brain development, so you can expect what and how your toddler eats and drinks to change as they grow.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) recently published new feeding and swallowing milestones. We’ll explain what this information means and why it matters. You’ll also find expert tips for teaching your toddler to use an open cup, encouraging them to try new foods, and recognizing signs of a possible feeding problem.
Feeding and swallowing milestones for toddlers
12 to 18 months
A toddler between 12 and 18 months old can typically feed themself a range of foods with different consistencies, using both utensils and their fingers. They can likely drink from a sippy cup without help. As they gain more control over their tongue muscles, they can move food from one side of their mouth to the other.
Your young toddler is still learning to drink from an open cup, so expect some spills. But they’re likely to master drinking through a straw. See our expert tips for teaching your toddler to use an open cup here.
18 to 24 months
Between 18 and 24 months, your toddler continues to fine-tune these skills. They’re becoming better at drinking from an open cup without spilling. Because their tongue can move food from side to side, they’re likely to chew consistently on both sides of their mouth. You may notice your toddler moving food around, chewing, and swallowing with greater precision and fewer spills. Phew!
A toddler’s diet usually continues to expand at this stage, including foods that require plenty of chewing, such as chicken breast. You’ll probably still need to cut more challenging foods into smaller pieces to help reduce the risk of choking.
2 to 3 years
Two- and 3-year-old toddlers can typically feed themselves with forks and spoons. They can chew all foods and drink from an open cup without spilling. Continue offering your child different foods and textures, but avoid items that increase choking risk, including popcorn, hot dogs, nuts, and grapes.
Picky eating may also emerge during this period. A toddler’s growth rate slows significantly after they turn 2, so smaller portions of food are more likely to fill them up. Although picky eating is often considered developmentally appropriate between the ages of 2 and 4, it helps to understand what to watch for, when support may be needed, and how to encourage your child to try new foods.
Free 45-minute consult
Looking for a speech therapist?
Talk through what you are noticing and get clear next steps.
Request a free consult
3 ways to support your toddler with eating
1. Help them recognize hunger cues
In general, it’s a good idea to help your child notice and respond to their body’s hunger cues. Use positive language to reinforce and model this skill. For example: “If your tummy is feeling full right now, you can take a break. I’ll leave your food here for whenever you’re hungry again.”
2. Offer a variety of foods
Give your child plenty of opportunities to try a food, even if they seem not to like it at first. It can take more than 10 times before your child decides that they like a food.
3. Make food fun
Children learn about and explore the world through play. Introduce new foods in different, engaging ways, such as having a picnic at the park or fingerpainting with yogurt.
Related guides
When should I be concerned about my toddler’s eating?
As noted above, toddlers can typically eat and drink a variety of foods while using spoons, forks, open cups, or straws. They can do so without signs of aspiration, which means food or liquid has entered the airway or lungs.
If your child is having trouble with feeding or swallowing, you may notice the following signs:
- Your toddler may resist eating a variety of foods or food textures.
- They may have difficulty feeding themselves with utensils or drinking from a cup and straw.
- They may become frustrated when they try to eat.
- Your child may cough or choke while eating. They might also have a red face, facial grimacing, watery eyes, and/or a fever after eating.
You know your child best. If you have concerns about their feeding or swallowing skills, speak with your pediatrician. You can also take our simple online speech, language, and feeding quiz to find out whether your child could benefit from a feeding and swallowing evaluation. Some speech therapists specialize in pediatric feeding, supporting children who have difficulty with the physical process of eating and/or swallowing.
Trust your instincts, and reach out if you believe your child may need support. Getting help early is important.