Learning to feed himself is a key developmental process for your baby, and finger foods are the first step in that process. According to the BabyCenter website, feeding himself finger foods enables your baby to develop fine motor skills. Although it might seem your baby is just making a mess, there is a method to the madness --- your baby is progressing from simply pawing at the food to being able to grasp a morsel in his thumb and forefinger in what is called a pincer grasp. When choosing foods for your seven-month-old baby, factor in the food's size, softness and how well it dissolves in his mouth.
Cottage or Shredded Cheese
Cottage and shredded cheeses are naturally soft, the KidsHealth website notes, and therefore are easy for your baby to gum and swallow. Tofu is also in the category of naturally soft, nutritious finger foods. You can cut up very small tofu cubes for your baby to eat. Your baby might also like a cut-up hard-boiled egg, BabyCenter adds.
Well-Cooked Veggies and Fruits
While adults might dislike vegetables cooked to a point of mushiness, this is essential for baby finger foods, KidsHealth advises. Well-cooked fruits and vegetables are easy for a baby to handle, as are pieces of banana and canned vegetables and fruits. The website suggests choosing canned fruits and vegetables without sugar or salt added.
Chicken or Cooked Meat, Cut Small
When introducing meat as a finger food, you should take in consideration its texture. Softer meat like chicken is preferable, says BabyCenter, and should be cut into pea-sized pieces. Ground meats and small bits of thinly sliced cold cuts may also be manageable for your baby. Keep in mind that some babies are very particular about texture, and may reject meats at first.
