Abstract
The development of eating function was observed during each meal for three consecutive days every half month. The target of observation are 19 healthy Japanese infants, five to twelve months of age, at a day-care center. It was possible for the infants to drink liquids from the spoon without spillage 1.5 months (median) after weaning had started. It was 9.0 months of weaning when the infants were able to continue to drink liquids as a feeder held the bowl between their lips. At 8.0 months, it was possible for the infants to break off food as it was fed into the mouth. They were able to take in straps of noodle about 5 cm in length, at 9.5 months. At 9.5 through 12.0 months of weaning, 41% to 68% of the infants were observed to swallow noodles without chewing. In this connection, it may be noted that, at 8.0 to 12.0 months, 24% to 39% of the infants were not able to swallow the foods that had to be chewed. This study shows that what is fed at the time of weaning and how feeding is carried out should determine the development of eating ability, such as eating chewy foods and drinking from the cup.
