Feeding Babies with Confidence: A Responsive & Developmental Approach (6–12 Months)
CHAPTER 1: What to Feed Babies and Why

Lesson 1.2: Before We Eat- Prefeeding Skills

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Before babies eat food, they need opportunities to build the skills that make feeding feel safe, coordinated, and comfortable.

Feeding readiness isn’t about age or schedules, it’s about development. Every baby arrives here in their own time, and rushing this stage often creates stress later.

This lesson focuses on the foundational skills that support safe and enjoyable feeding long before the first bite.

Key Pre-Feeding Skills

Before offering solids, babies benefit from developing:

  • Postural control

    • Tummy time

    • Tripod sitting with hands forward for support

    • Sitting independently, even for short periods

  • Hand-to-mouth coordination

    • Bringing hands to mouth

    • Exploring objects with their hands and mouth

    • Beginning to guide items intentionally toward their mouth

  • Oral exploration

    • Tongue movement

    • Gumming and chewing motions

    • Tolerating different textures in and around the mouth

  • Interest and readiness cues

    • Watching others eat

    • Reaching toward food

    • Opening mouth or leaning forward

    • Increased alertness during family meals

Rolling, sitting, reaching, and oral exploration often develop together. These skills don’t need to be perfect—they just need to be emerging.

Choosing Safe Teethers

Look for teethers that are:

  • Made from non-toxic, food-safe materials

  • Free from PVC, BPA, phthalates, and nitrosamines

  • Solid with no holes to prevent bacteria buildup

  • Easy for small hands to grasp

Organic natural rubber teethers, such as Piccolny, are a great option. They are chewable, soothing for gums, eco-friendly, and safe from birth.

A Gentle Reminder

Every baby develops these skills at their own pace. Some will sit early and reach quickly. Others take more time. There is no need to rush feeding before these foundations are in place.

Tummy time, floor play, supported sitting, and access to safe teethers all help build the skills feeding relies on, naturally and without pressure.

Why Teethers Matter

Teethers are not just for sore gums. They are powerful tools for pre-feeding development.

Using teethers supports:

  • Hand-to-mouth coordination

  • Tongue movement and jaw awareness

  • Early chewing patterns

  • Oral exploration and sensory tolerance

  • Self-feeding skills

  • Gum comfort during teething

Teethers allow babies to practice using their mouths without pressure, expectation, or intake. This builds confidence and coordination before food is introduced.