0mo–11mo12 minMealtimeFamily timeQuiet time
Cues + Culture Feeding Plan
A short plan-and-practise routine that respects your family’s cultural preferences while helping you follow your child’s feeding cues for comfort, pacing, and clear ‘all done’ signals.
What you'll need
Essentials
- paper or notes app
- your usual feeding items (breast/bottle/cup/spoon as appropriate)
- a cloth for wiping dribbles/spit-up
Nice to have
- a simple picture cue (a bottle picture, cup picture, or a drawn icon)
- a short list of key phrases in your home language(s) (optional)
- a timer or phone (optional)
Movement level: false
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneOpens mouth for spoon.Body· 0mo–11mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneGets to know and enjoy daily routines, such as getting-up time, mealtimes, nappy time, and bedtime.Mind· 0mo–11mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneUnderstands familiar contextual cuesMind· 0mo–11mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneAnticipates feeding cueMind· 1mo–6mo· core· Steps 2, 3
- MilestoneSignals feeding readiness refusalBody· 4mo–6mo· core· Step 3
What it practices
- Anticipates food routines with interest.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Expresses discomfort, hunger or thirst.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Responds to and thrives on warm, sensitive physical contactObservable behaviour from Development Matters
- Opens mouth for spoon.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Plan to take account of the individual cultural and feeding needs of young babies in your group.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)