10 month old baby not chewing food ...only liking... this is good

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Accepted Answer

It's not uncommon for a 10-month-old baby to primarily lick and not fully chew their food, especially if they are just beginning to transition to solid foods. Here are some considerations:

### Developmental Milestones
1. **Oral Motor Skills**: At 10 months, babies are still developing their oral motor skills, which include chewing. Some babies might take longer to develop these skills than others.
2. **Exploration**: Licking and tasting are part of how babies explore new textures and flavors. It's a normal part of the learning process.

### Introducing Solid Foods
1. **Soft Foods**: Start with soft, easy-to-gum foods like mashed fruits, vegetables, or baby cereals.
2. **Finger Foods**: Offer small, soft pieces of food that are easy for the baby to pick up and manage in their mouth, such as small pieces of banana, avocado, or well-cooked pasta.

### Encouraging Chewing
1. **Model Chewing**: Show your baby how to chew by eating together and exaggerating your chewing motions.
2. **Texture Variety**: Gradually introduce a variety of textures to encourage chewing. Ensure the pieces are small enough to prevent choking.
3. **Patience and Repetition**: Continue offering different foods and textures regularly. It can take multiple exposures for a baby to accept and learn to chew new foods.

### Safety Considerations
1. **Supervision**: Always supervise your baby while they are eating to ensure they do not choke.
2. **Appropriate Sizes**: Cut food into appropriate sizes to minimize the risk of choking.

### When to Seek Help
- **Feeding Difficulties**: If your baby consistently refuses to chew or has difficulty with various textures after trying these strategies, it might be helpful to consult a pediatrician or a pediatric feeding specialist.
- **Developmental Concerns**: If there are additional concerns about your baby's development or eating habits, a healthcare provider can offer guidance and support.

It's important to remember that every baby develops at their own pace. With time, practice, and patience, most babies will learn to chew and handle different textures.