The critical or sensitive period, with special reference to certain feeding problems in infants and children

Abstract

Children should be given solids to chew at a time when they are developmentally ready: in an average child this age is 6 to 7 months. If they are not given solids then (as distinct from thickened feedings, which can be given any time after birth), they are very apt to be difficult about taking them later, failing to chew, refusing the solids, or vomiting. Failure to give solids may be due to mismanagement in normal children, including overanxiety about their choking. It is common in defective children and occurs under certain circumstances in incompletely repaired esophageal atresia. It is suggested that the chewing difficulty is related to the sensitive or critical period described in animals. Children should be given solids to chew at a time when they are developmentally ready: in an average child this age is 6 to 7 months. If they are not given solids then (as distinct from thickened feedings, which can be given any time after birth), they are very apt to be difficult about taking them later, failing to chew, refusing the solids, or vomiting. Failure to give solids may be due to mismanagement in normal children, including overanxiety about their choking. It is common in defective children and occurs under certain circumstances in incompletely repaired esophageal atresia. It is suggested that the chewing difficulty is related to the sensitive or critical period described in animals.