What is the age at transition from infant to adult swallowing type?

What is the age at transition from infant to adult swallowing type?

• A. 6 years
• B. 12 years
• C. 18 months
• D. 9 years

Answer: (C)

Swallowing patterns develop with age, moving from an infantile, suck–swallow pattern to a mature, adult swallow as neuromuscular control improves. Around 18 months the coordination becomes sufficient for a true adult swallow: the tongue no longer thrusts between the teeth, the lips seal, and the bolus is propelled posteriorly with more vertical jaw movement rather than the sucking pattern seen in infancy. This transition at about 18 months explains why that age is identified as the switch from infantile to adult swallowing. Other ages imply a later switch, which isn’t the typical developmental point for this change.

Swallowing patterns develop with age, moving from an infantile, suck–swallow pattern to a mature, adult swallow as neuromuscular control improves. Around 18 months the coordination becomes sufficient for a true adult swallow: the tongue no longer thrusts between the teeth, the lips seal, and the bolus is propelled posteriorly with more vertical jaw movement rather than the sucking pattern seen in infancy. This transition at about 18 months explains why that age is identified as the switch from infantile to adult swallowing.

Other ages imply a later switch, which isn’t the typical developmental point for this change.