Your child is ready and eager to pick up bite-sized pieces of food as he grows into a toddler. While it's fun to watch him try new foods, concern about choking can be stressful. You can minimize the risk of choking by choosing the right finger foods, though you still need to monitor your toddler as he eats. Avoid foods such as nuts, raisins, popcorn and sausages or hot dogs. Only offer finger foods while he is sitting instead of when he's playing or reclining.
Cereals and Crackers
Allow your child to eat O-shaped toasted oats or other types of cereal. Low-sugar varieties are best, recommends Baby Center. Rice cakes or crackers broken into small pieces also are appropriate.
Fruit
Small chunks of banana are a nutritious snack your toddler can enjoy, says Adele Pillitteri in "Maternal & Child Health Nursing." You also may give her other fruit that is very ripe and pitted. Chop any fruit into small pieces. Try pears, peaches and seedless watermelon. Peel and slice grapes.
Protein
Boost your child's protein intake with very small pieces of chicken or cheese, recommends Pillitteri. However, wait to give your child chunks until they have molars, according to AskDrSears.com. You may also feed your toddler small pieces of hard-boiled egg.
Breads
Give your child small pieces of lightly toasted bread or bagels. You can spread a veggie puree on these for extra nutrients, notes Baby Center. Watch out for globs formed by white bread when chewed by your baby or large amounts of spread that has the consistency of peanut butter. Your toddler can choke on such foods even though they are soft. Bread with more whole grain is less likely to "glob" than white bread.
Veggies
Help your toddler acquire a taste for veggies, but make sure the ones you serve are well-cooked and cut into small pieces, recommends Baby Center. You can feed him sweet potato, carrots, zucchini, cauliflower and more using this guideline.
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