When your baby was 4 to 6 months old, you probably began feeding him baby food, either store-bought or homemade. Once he is able to sit up unassisted and begins picking up small objects with his thumb and forefinger, introducing finger foods to his diet will give him some independence and autonomy and will allow you to incorporate table foods into his mealtime routine. For many babies, this stage occurs between 8 and 10 months of age. It is important to choose foods that are nutritious and safe for your baby to eat.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are ideal finger foods, but you must make sure that they are soft and cut into very small pieces before giving them to your baby. Ripe bananas are often a sweet favorite. Soft pears are another option. If the fruit that you'd like to give your baby is not naturally soft, try microwaving it for a minute or two with a tablespoon of water. Let it cool to room temperature, and verify that it is soft enough for your baby to gum. Do not give your baby strawberries, as they are a common allergen. Also avoid whole grapes, raisins and other dried fruits, as these are choking hazards.
Small chunks of steamed carrots or boiled or baked sweet potatoes are sweet enough that most babies will eat them. Steamed broccoli florets are another popular choice. Many babies like slices of ripe avocado, which provide healthy fat in your baby's diet. Do not give your baby raw carrots, celery or whole grape tomatoes to avoid the risk of choking.
Cheese
Small pieces of cheese are delicious finger foods. Give your baby coarsely shredded cheddar cheese that will melt in her mouth. Pieces of sliced American cheese are another soft choice. A slice of cheese added to a piece of whole-wheat bread, broiled and then cut into pieces makes a healthy lunch. WhattoExpect.com cautions against giving your baby soft cheese, such as brie, as it can contain listeria, which is dangerous for babies.
Cereals and Breads
Small whole-grain cereal pieces make excellent portable finger foods. Place some in your baby's stroller tray to keep him happily entertained for a while. Avoid giving your baby refined or sweet products, such as white bread or sugary breakfast cereals. Other carbohydrates to offer your baby include crackers that melt in your mouth and seedless bread with the crust cut off. Small bagels and rice cakes are also options--just be sure to watch your baby carefully to make sure that he does not bite off too much at once.
Proteins
Soft meats, such as chicken and fish, are nutritious finger foods for babies. Verify that the meat is not tough or stringy, and cut it into very small pieces. Chunks of tofu are also easy for babies to pick up and eat. Babies should not eat egg whites, because they are allergenic, but most enjoy egg yolks. Hard boil an egg, and cut the yolk into small pieces.
