According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, your baby is ready to try finger foods when she can sit up without help, and grasps objects and puts them in her mouth. This is at about 8 to 9 months old. You do not have to wait until she has teeth before introducing finger foods. She will use her tongue and gums to break down soft foods before swallowing.
Soft foods
For many babies, their first finger foods are soft and easily mashed between the tongue and gums. Steamed carrots, cooled and cut into ¼-inch cubes, are a good choice. Be sure to steam them well past the point that you would serve them normally. They should be as soft as possible. If you can easily mash a carrot with your finger, it is soft enough to give to your baby.
Other soft finger foods include diced ripe bananas and avocados. These foods are naturally soft, so there is no preparation necessary beyond simply cutting them into bite-sized pieces. Canned fruits such as pears and peaches are a convenient option as well. Be sure to buy fruits canned in 100 percent juice, not syrup.
Teething Foods
When your child starts to cut his first teeth, he will want harder objects to chew. Teething biscuits are one option, as they disintegrate as your baby chews on them. If your baby does not yet have any teeth, chilled raw carrots will relieve teething pain. Do not give raw carrots after your child's first teeth come in, as he could bite off pieces big enough to cause choking.
Take Along Snacks
When you are out of the house, take along finger foods that cause minimal mess. A bag of dry cereal or oyster crackers will keep your baby occupied and take the edge off her hunger while you wait for your meals in a restaurant.
Safety Considerations
Always consider the possibility of choking before giving your child finger foods. Chewing and swallowing solid foods are still a new skill at this age, so do not offer any food that is big or hard enough to choke on. Raisins, nuts, and popcorn are all snack items to avoid; they could be a choking hazard. Avoid foods made with honey until your child is over one year old.
Table Foods
Your child can begin to share family meals as soon as he is proficient at eating finger foods. You may want to leave his portion of vegetables and meat on the stove a bit longer than those for the rest of the family. Your older children may not appreciate "mushy" vegetables. Cut meat into very small bites and be sure it is soft enough for your baby to mash up before swallowing. Rice and soft pasta are also viable choices.
References
- Keep Kids Healthy: Starting Finger Foods
- American Academy of Pediatrics: HealthyChildren--Getting Started With Solid Foods
- "Simply Natural Baby Food: Easy Recipes for Delicious Meals Your Infant and Toddler Will Love;" Cathe Olson; 2003
