Did you know that 60% of jaw growth is complete by age 6 with most of the growth occurring in the first 4 years of life? As babies grow and develop, they move from sucking patterns to chewing patterns. Teething occurs and babies begin solid foods in the form of puréed foods and/or strategically cut up, whole foods. Chewing is one of the first exercises (after sucking) that can help to develop the jaw and facial structures. Before looking at the specific benefits of chewing, it is important to know what optimal development looks like.