Abstract
In this study, we aimed at establishing broader assessments of development of feeding functions with respect to behavioral development. We examined the relationship with the results of the evaluation of development by means of observation of feeding actions and behavior for weaning subjects. We obtained the following results:
1. Concerning the divided weaning periods based on "the revised edition of the basics of weaning"and the assessment of feeding functions, there were more infants observed in the middle-to-latter period of weaning who had a high evaluation of feeding functions of the Chronological ages. Regarding the Developmental ages and the weaning period, in the latter period of weaning, many infants were observed with a higher the Developmental ages than the month of after-birth seen in the division of weaning.
2. We paid attention to the relationship between the weaning periods which were divided in accordance with the development of feeding functions and the Chronological ages, as well as the Developmental ages of the developmental assessment. In each period, the Chronological ages was higher than the Developmental ages. The Developmental ages in feeding regions was found to be lower than those in other regions (action, searching/manipulation, society) in all weaning periods, but no significant differences were found.
3. We examined the relationship between the indexes of each feeding function, the Chronological ages and the Developmental ages. The Chronological ages was strongly related to the Developmental ages in many indexes of each weaning period. However, in the index based on the traction of angle of mouth and tongue movement until the middle period of weaning, the Developmental ages and the Chronological ages showed a weak connection.
