At what age do infants typically start to express hunger cues by communicating their desire for specific foods?

Infants generally start to show clear preferences and express their desire for specific foods around 10 to 12 months of age. By this age, they have typically transitioned from exclusive breastfeeding or formula feeding to incorporating solid foods into their diet. As they begin to explore different flavors and textures, they not only develop likes and dislikes but also start to communicate these preferences more distinctly. This can manifest through various cues such as reaching for certain foods, turning away from others, or vocalizations when they see foods they enjoy. This developmental milestone is linked to their growing cognitive and motor skills, which enable them to better interact with their environment and make choices about their food.

Earlier ages, such as 4 to 6 months and 6 to 8 months, often involve infants primarily learning about food and the concept of feeding, but not necessarily communicating specific preferences. At 8 to 10 months, while some degree of preference may start to emerge, it is usually not as pronounced or reliably communicated by infants. Therefore, 10 to 12 months is the age range when infants typically begin to clearly express hunger cues related to specific foods.