Finger foods are small items babies can pick up and eat on their own. Most youngsters are ready for finger foods around seven to nine months of age, according to the BabyCenter parenting website. They build important motor skills and coordination when allowed to handle appropriate pieces of food. Each child has different tastes so parents often need to offer several different finger foods to pinpoint their baby's favorites.
Hot Dogs
Hot dogs and small canned sausages are popular with many youngsters. KidsHealth, a Nemours health network website, warns they can be a choking hazard unless properly prepared. Peel them and cut them into very small chunks. BabyCenter also suggests other soft meats like chicken in pea-sized portions.
Fruit
BabyCenter recommends various soft fruit chunks as enticing finger foods. Appropriate choices include pieces of banana, very ripe pears, plums, mangoes, cantaloupe and watermelon chunks. Many babies also enjoy dried fruits, like softened apricot pieces and raisins. KidsHealth adds that many babies like peeled grape pieces and cherry tomatoes.
Cereal
O-shaped oat cereal is a popular finger food, according to BabyCenter. There are name brands and generic versions. Choose a low-sugar variety.
Vegetables
Babies can eat a variety of soft, cut-up vegetables, including carrots, zucchini, potatoes and sweet potatoes, BabyCenter notes. They can also eat peas and thoroughly cooked pieces of broccoli and cauliflower.
Cheese
Cheese is an appropriate finger food for babies if cut up into very small cubes. BabyCenter also recommends small chunks of tofu.
Crackers
Crackers and rice cakes can easily be broken into small pieces appropriate for youngsters. KidsHealth recommends varieties that melt in the mouth to further reduce the choking hazard.
Pasta
Pasta can be cooked until very soft, then cut into pieces and offered as finger food. Spiral noodles work especially well, BabyCenter reports.
Bread
Babies often enjoy pieces of bread and bagels, which can be served as-is or lightly toasted. BabyCenter recommends spreading them with pureed vegetables to give your child extra vitamins.
