At what stage do infants typically become skilled at chewing?

Infants typically become skilled at chewing between 10 and 12 months of age. During this stage of development, they have usually developed the necessary oral motor skills and muscle control to handle more textured foods. By this age, many infants have also cut several teeth, which facilitates their ability to chew effectively.

Prior to 10 months, infants are generally transitioning from a pureed diet to more solid foods, but their chewing reflex is still developing. They may be able to mash food with their gums and may start to show interest in more complex textures, but true chewing skills do not fully mature until they are closer to their first birthday. This is a critical period for the introduction of diverse foods, which is important for development and nutrition, but the younger infants rely more on sucking and gumming rather than sophisticated chewing.