Which developmental milestone should a typically developing 7-month-old demonstrate during a swallow evaluation?

At 7 months of age, a typically developing infant is expected to demonstrate foundational oral motor skills that support the development of feeding techniques. Creating vertical jaw movements is a crucial milestone at this age as it illustrates the infant's ability to move their jaw up and down, which is necessary for effectively mashing and preparing solid food for swallowing. This skill indicates that the child is progressing from a primarily liquid diet to incorporating a variety of textures, which is essential for their development of oral motor function and feeding independence.

The other options represent skills that are either too advanced or not typically expected at this age. For example, manipulating food effectively generally develops later as infants gain more control over their oral motor function. Using the rooting reflex is seen in younger infants when they are seeking out food sources, but by 7 months, this reflex would be diminishing as the child actively engages with feeding. Engaging in tongue elevation patterns is also a skill that develops as infants learn more complex feeding strategies, typically emerging beyond the 7-month mark. Therefore, creating vertical jaw movements is the most appropriate milestone for a 7-month-old during a swallow evaluation.