Chewing Difficulties
Feeding & Swallowing Assessment
What Causes Chewing Difficulties?
Chewing is a complex skill that involves jaw strength, tongue movement, coordination, and sensory processing. Some children may have difficulty due to:
- Delayed oral-motor development
- Sensory sensitivities to texture or temperature
- Weak jaw or tongue muscles
- Oral dyspraxia resulting in poor coordination of the oral muscles.
- Limited exposure to chewy or textured foods
- Medical conditions or feeding aversions
- Every child is different—and feeding therapy is designed to uncover and address your child’s specific needs.
Feeding Milestones
Every child develops at their own pace, but here are general milestones for chewing and texture progression:
Age | Typical Chewing & Texture Milestones |
4–6 months | Begins mouthing hands, toys; explores with tongue and lips |
6–8 months | Starts with smooth purees; begins munching with gums |
8–10 months | Manages thicker purees, soft mashed foods, and dissolvable solids (e.g., baby puffs) |
10–12 months | Moves to lumpy textures, soft finger foods; starts using side-to-side tongue movement |
12–18 months | Chews soft table foods; biting and rotary (circular) chewing begins to develop |
18–24 months | More efficient chewing of a variety of textures; tolerates mixed textures (e.g., pasta with sauce) |
2+ years | Chews firmer textures (meats, raw fruits/veg); develops mature rotary chew pattern |
If your child is stuck at a stage or avoids chewing foods appropriate for their age, it may be time to seek support.
What happens in feeding assessment and therapy?
Feeding therapy is tailored to your child’s abilities and comfort level. It is gentle, child-led, and based on building trust and positive mealtime experiences. During sessions, we will:
- Assess your child’s oral motor skills (e.g., jaw, tongue, lips)
- Observe their current food preferences, chewing patterns, and behaviours
- Use oral motor tools to help work on their coordination and strength of chewing through play and games
- Introduce foods gradually through exploration, play, and desensitisation
- Support transitions from soft foods to more textured and chewable options
- Equip parents with strategies to support progress at home
Therapy may include games, sensory food play, tasting opportunities, and step-by-step exposure—all done at your child’s pace.
Working with the family
We work closely with parents and caregivers to make mealtimes easier and more enjoyable at home. You’ll receive ongoing guidance, home strategies, and a safe space to ask questions and celebrate progress.
If you’re concerned about your child’s ability to chew or try new textures, don’t wait. Early support can make a big difference.
Reach out to learn more about our feeding therapy services and how we can help your child eat more confidently.
