Development Cues Up to 5 years | Understanding Windows of Time

We often look to milestones as markers of a child's growth and development. The reality is that children develop at different rates, and there is often an overlap in the ages associated with different stages of growth. It’s important to look at a “window of time”, since every child's developmental track is specific to that child. Below I have outlined some developmental windows you might encounter with your child and how to navigate them.

Baby (5–9 Months): The Start of Solids

For babies between 5 and 9 months, most of the nutrition comes from breast milk or formula. As a parent, you can focus on introducing the idea of solid foods. You might notice some babies readily accepting solids, while others may spit or gag. If your baby isn’t loving the solid foods quite yet, take a deep breath! The introduction of solid foods is just to introduce them to  something new.

Baby 7-12 Months: Embrace the Mess!

At this stage, your baby transitions from happily letting you feed them to wanting to do it themselves. It’s messy, but it’s also so important for their normal growth and development. I encourage parents to embrace the mess! Recent research has shown that when you allow your child to self-feed, they generally become cleaner and more regulated eaters over time. In the early part of this phase, most of your baby’s nutrition will still come from formula or breast milk, but as they progress, that balance will gradually shift to about 50-50 between formula/breast milk and solid foods.

So, if your baby refuses or struggles with a solid food, don’t stress about it! This is completely normal, and it's part of the process. They’re figuring things out, and the mess is just part of their learning

Toddler 11 - 36 months : “I do it”

All about toddlerhood is about doing it themselves which is really, really important. During this phase, children are learning and refining new skills at an impressive pace. From crawling to walking, running, sitting, standing, climbing, and jumping—the world is their oyster, and they’re constantly discovering new things.

There’s a noticeable shift that happens in toddlerhood. The first two years of life are marked by linear growth—baby grows steadily, hitting milestone after milestone. But as toddlers approach their second birthday, growth slows down and becomes more erratic. This is when you may start to hear phrases like, "My child is so picky with food."

Instead of steady, predictable growth, toddlers experience growth spurts—they may eat one large meal a day and have smaller meals at other times. It’s important to recognize that this isn’t a sign of a problem with their appetite or nutrition, but rather a normal phase in their development. Toddlerhood it’s not about what they eat, it’s more about their behavior. The goal is to coach them on how to sit at the table, and let them self feed to regulate hunger and appetite.

Preschool (3-6 years): “Pleasers”

A 2 year old brain and a 5 year old brain is vastly different. Behavior at meals becomes erratic and cautious. This is the age most parents start using the phrase “picky eater” and appetites seem to drop or change drastically. Don’t panic!

If you’ve ever felt frustrated watching your toddler reject a meal they loved just days ago, you’re not alone. The transition from infancy to toddlerhood brings many changes—including how children approach food. Understanding these shifts can help parents support their child’s nutrition without unnecessary stress.

This stage, often labeled as “picky eating,” is actually a normal developmental phase called food neophobia—a natural hesitation toward new or unfamiliar foods.

What to Expect:

• Erratic Eating Patterns: Toddlers might eat a lot one day and barely touch their food the next. Often, they consume just one substantial meal per day.

• Appetite Fluctuations: Growth spurts cause natural appetite shifts. Expect periods of increased hunger followed by a sudden disinterest in food.

• Focus on Behavior, Not Just Food Choices: Instead of stressing over what your child eats, observe their behavior at the table. Encourage structured family meals and avoid pressure.

It’s important to remember that no single meal defines your child’s nutrition. Instead of panicking over one skipped meal, focus on the bigger picture—ensuring they have access to balanced foods over time. Toddler eating habits may feel frustrating, but with patience and consistency, they will improve.

In our next post we will talk about Picky vs. Problem eating, followed by a 4th blog in this series about Tips and Tricks to tackle picky and problem eating. Stay tuned!