Each developmental period brings skills to be learned. There are four stages of a child's lifespan and the issues they may experience as they develop. Adult sets a comfortable mood and tone, including securely holding and responding to the child, rather than propping bottles or group feeding children seated in high chairs. Adult provides appropriate foods when the baby shows hunger cues. Adult does not unnecessarily interrupt the child's focus on eating.
Baby is fed when hungry.
Adult discerns which cues are hunger cues and which cues are indicators of other discomforts, refraining from using feeding as the answer to all cries. Adult stops feeding when baby turns away from the food. Adult determines that food temperature is appropriate. Adult feeds child on strict schedule, not in harmony with the child's hunger cues. Adult forces the nipple or spoon into a child's mouth.