How long does it take babies to learn to chew and swallow?

[misslinnet]

DS is 8.5 months (7 months corrected).

We've been giving him purees (with varying levels of sucess) for about 2 months now, and have just started giving him small amounts of finger foods in the last 2 weeks now that he's better at sitting up.

However, when we give him finger foods, he'll suck on them, or stuff them into his mouth, and that's about it. He sits there and grins with his mouth full and lets all the food fall out. I suppose he's getting used to the different tastes at least, but there doesn't seem to be any actual eating going on.

How long does it normally take a baby to figure out how to chew and swallow finger food?

With dd she just used to tilt her head back and swallow instead of chewing. I started giving more lumps in the purees jars

Its different for every baby but everyone told me it would pick up between 9 and 10 months and sure enough at 9.5 months he got the hang of it.

Half the fun is in the chewing and spitting out. And the throwing.

Every baby is different. Mine can swallow and chew at 6mo. She managed to eat brocollis, root veg, toast, muffins and burgers I gave her. As long as its soft and large.

The thing is, how do you know your LO hasnt swallowed any of the finger foods? You can only tell nothing has gone in if the finger food is the only thing you give.

I think they say it picks up at 9mo because most babies can pick up peas and scoop mince and mash around that age. That means they should be able to eat anything as 'finger' food then.

I'm thinking DS isn't swallowing a lot because there's always an awful lot of food on him and the floor when we finish.

I'll try not to worry too much unless he's still not chewing and swallowing by 9 - 10 months then