Independent Eating and Sensory Development: How to Raise an Active Toddler

Complementary feeding is not just about introducing new foods into your baby's diet, but also an important stage in their sensory development. When a baby eats independently, they activate all their sensory systems, which contributes to their harmonious development.

Let's take a look at some of these systems:

• Vestibular system: Maintains balance and stability of the baby during feeding.
• Proprioceptive system: Ensures proper body position, prevents choking, and develops chewing skills.
• Interoceptive system: Signals the brain about feelings of hunger or satiety.
• Tactile system: Allows the baby to explore the texture of food and get used to new products.
• Olfactory and gustatory systems: Allow the baby to determine the taste and smell of food.
• Auditory system: Helps focus on food and ignore extraneous sounds.
• Visual system: Allows the baby to see food in front of them and develop hand motor skills.

Self-feeding becomes a fun game for your baby, in which they develop their sensory skills and become more and more independent. After all, every piece of food is a new discovery and a step towards greater independence.