Learn when and how to offer your baby finger foods, which are small pieces of food that they can feed themselves, as well as ideas for finger meals that your baby will enjoy.
Eating finger food is enjoyable for your baby and a vital step toward independence, since it helps them develop fine motor skills and coordination. Finger food is any bite-sized, easy-to-eat meal that your infant can take up and eat by themselves. Ready to take the next step in your baby’s solid food journey? Here’s what you should know.
When to give your baby finger foods
Around the age of 9 months, your baby typically becomes ready for finger foods as they develop the ability to grasp objects and bring them to their mouth. They often signal their readiness by reaching for the spoon during feeding or grabbing food from your plate. By the time they reach 12 months, they usually exhibit proficiency in picking up and self-feeding.
Some parents opt for the baby-led weaning approach, introducing finger foods around 6 months, bypassing spoon feeding and allowing the baby to explore soft finger foods independently. If you’re intrigued by this method, delve into the details of BLW and discover suitable baby-led weaning foods.
If your baby initially shows reluctance towards finger foods, don’t be overly concerned. If self-feeding appears challenging for them, they might simply need more time, so consider waiting a week or so before attempting again. Alternatively, they may require additional exposure to new textures, and it’s normal to encounter resistance before they accept a new type of food. Additionally, occasional gagging when introducing finger foods is a typical reflex that aids in preventing choking and helps babies learn how to chew. Remain calm if your baby gags; allow them to resolve it independently, while keeping a watchful eye to ensure there is no choking.
Starting finger foods
Facilitate the transition from purees to finger foods by introducing familiar flavors to your baby. For instance, offer soft, ripe banana pieces if they enjoy banana puree or well-cooked sweet potato pieces if they’ve relished sweet potato puree previously.
During mealtime, disperse four or five food pieces onto your baby’s highchair tray or plate, progressively adding more as they consume them. Opt for feeding your baby in a highchair rather than alternative locations like a car seat or stroller to minimize the risk of choking.
Initially, your baby might scoop food into their hand and bring it to their mouth, but over time, they’ll develop the pincer grasp, using their thumb and forefinger to pick up food. Given their limited teeth at this stage, focus on foods that can be gummed or easily dissolve in their mouth. As they transition into toddlerhood, their ability to handle various foods will improve, and you’ll soon find yourself serving them bite-sized portions of your own meals.
The best finger foods for babies
Unsure about which finger foods to introduce? Here’s a curated list of options:
- O-shaped toasted oat cereal or other unsweetened cereal
- Long strips of lightly toasted bread or bagels (enhanced with vegetable puree, nut butter, guacamole, or hummus for added nutrients)
- Slices of banana or other very ripe, peeled, and pitted fruits such as mango, plum, pear, peach, cantaloupe, or seedless watermelon
- Small cubes of tofu
- Well-cooked pasta spirals, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Small chunks of soft cheese
- Chopped hard-boiled or scrambled egg
- Mashed, stewed prunes
- Small pieces of well-cooked vegetables like carrots, peas, zucchini, potato, or sweet potato
- Steamed apples or carrots cut into long, thin strips
- Small, well-cooked broccoli or cauliflower “trees”
- Pea-sized pieces of cooked chicken, ground beef or turkey, or fish
- Well-cooked beans
In the initial months of introducing solid foods, your baby is exploring the textures, colors, and aromas of food while self-feeding. Introducing a diverse range of foods during this period can contribute to the early development of healthy eating habits. It’s important to steer clear of foods with added sugar, such as cookies and cake, as well as high-sodium options, as these are not suitable for your little one.
Avoid offering uncut round foods like grapes and blueberries, large meat chunks, or thick nut butter portions to prevent potential choking hazards. For hard fruits and vegetables like raw carrots or apples, consider cooking them until they reach a soft consistency and serving them in elongated strips to minimize the risk of choking.
Professionals recommend that parents incorporate potentially allergenic foods, such as peanuts, fish, and soy, alongside other solid foods. Early and consistent exposure may lower the risk of your baby developing allergies, and there is no evidence to suggest that delaying the introduction of these foods prevents allergies. If you harbor concerns that your child may be allergic to specific foods, particularly if your baby experiences chronic eczema or if a sibling or parent has a history of food allergies, it is advisable to consult with your pediatrician. Otherwise, introduce these foods individually and remain vigilant for any signs of allergic reactions.
P.S: Have a Pinterest account? Don’t let this valuable information slip away! Save or pin the photo below to your Pinterest board for quick and easy access whenever you need it. Happy pinning! 📌
