Development-based Milestones

The Gerber Nutrition Journey is a unique milestone-based plan with guidance on developmentally appropriate feeding choices. In line with the CDC developmental milestones and the Dietary Guidelines for feeding infants and children, the Gerber Nutrition Journey recommends starting with breastfeeding because breastmilk is the ideal food for babies. Once baby is ready, Gerber can provide guidance on developmentally-appropriate feeding choices.

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Preschooler Development

Gross Motor

Runs well without falling
Sits in a booster seat or at table

Fine Motor

Manipulates small objects
Practicing/mastering utensils
Holds spoon level during transport to mouth
Holds and drinks from a cup

Oral Motor

Refined drinking skills
Chews skillfully and efficiently
Needs less time and fewer chews to finish a mouthful of food
Molars present
Uses tongue to clear food from lips

Preschooler Nutrition

Eating Skills 24-36 months

May express verbal refusal of food
Toddlers and preschoolers do best with set menus which includes a variety of familiar foods along with some new foods
May be very cautious about accepting new foods (neophobia)
Prefers familiar foods and may require 10-15 taste experiences with a new food before accepting it
Able to adjust the opening of the jaw when biting foods of different thicknesses
Chews more difficult meats and some raw vegetables under supervision
Chewing movements become more skillful and efficient. Needs less time and fewer chews to finish a mouthful of food
Doesn’t lose liquid when drinking from a regular open cup

Preschool aged boy eating a piece of watermelon with his hands.

Eating Skills 36+ months

Head extends to drain last drop from cup and also bends to spoon
May help set the table for family meal
Continues to refine chewing movements (i.e. reduced duration and number of chewing cycles)
Continues to refine drinking skills from an open cup

Preschool aged girl putting food in her mouth with one hand.

Feeding Tips

Smaller sized portions of carrots, ravioli, and blueberries.

Preschooler-sized portions may look really small! Lots of food on a plate can look overwhelming. Start small and let them ask for more.

Fruits and vegetables in the shape of a heart.

Serve a rainbow of new fruits and veggies , and continue to introduce new foods, but let the child decide what and how much to eat.

Findings from Nestle’s FITS provides much needed information on feeding practices, nutrient shortfalls and opportunities to improve the food patterns of infants, toddlers and preschoolers that may inform your recommendations and provide evidence for the development of the upcoming Birth to 24 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. See highlights and key learnings from the study.

Hunger Cues 24-36 months

Expresses desire for specific foods with words and sounds
Combines phrases with gestures such as “want that” and pointing
May appear low in energy, patience, and good cheer or exhibit “crabby” behavior when hungry

I'm hungry!