Finger Foods for Babies

As you may have noticed, babies are intrigued by the fact that they can pick up foods and eat by themselves. This needs to be a fun experience for the young one, so do not be in a hurry to clean up the mess. It’s important to understand that it is a learning experience for the baby and this is how they develop their coordination and fine motor skills. Any bite sized foods picked up by kids are considered finger food. Read on to learn when and how to introduce finger foods for babies. South African

When Can You Give Finger Foods to Babies?

The time. It’s easy to tell when your baby is ready for finger food. Usually, they will begin grabbing the items you feed them or try and snatch food from the plate. This normally occurs during the 8^th to the 9^th month.
Pincer grasp. Initially, your baby may simply want to bring the food to the mouth but with time, they will begin to develop their fine motor skills by using the forefinger or thumb to pick up the food. This skill is referred to as the pincer grasp.
Sit upright. You will also notice that the baby’s posture is changing and they are developing a stronger spine by sitting upright without support. Babies who are still slouching are not good candidates of finger food and this is because they can easily choke.
Chew foods. If the baby begins to mash food in the mouth, they are definitely ready for finger foods.

As a general rule, do not leave your young one unattended while eating. It only takes a second for the child to choke.

How to Introduce Finger Foods to Babies

A good way to introduce finger for babies is by simply scattering some foods within the child’s reach. This could be in the highchair tray or in a plate; obviously you will want to make sure that the plate is unbreakable. Feel free to add some more food items as the baby eats. It’s always recommended that you feed the baby in the highchair so that they can identify that chair as the eating place. Stroller and car seats offer a slouchy position which may lead to choking.

Before you begin giving your child finger foods, you need to ask yourself the following questions:

Does the food melt in the mouth?
Is it mushy or soft?
Are the pieces small enough?
Can the food be gummed?

The food items are perhaps the most important consideration and you might want to start with items that can easily dissolve in the mouth. As the young one develops, you can provide bite sized food items or foods similar to what you eat. When it comes to children’s food, the texture, aroma and color of the food matter. Some great finger foods include:

Mashed stewed prunes
Boiled eggs (chopped)
Cut pasta
Tofu cubes
Pea-sized soft meat pieces
Soft cheese chunks and others

Some Precautions You Should Take

Avoid cookies, cakes, fatty snacks and other unhealthy treats. Instead, give your baby healthy snacks and food items. The food needs to be easy to chew and if you are giving your child vegetables, ensure that they are cooked until soft. The food items also need to be cut into small pieces to avoid choking. Also ensure that the food is age appropriate. You might still want to be on high alert for food allergies. Avoid peanut butter. Its coarse texture makes it difficult to swallow.

Video for more: when to introduce finger foods and what finger foods to offer and what to avoid:

Recommended Finger Foods for Babies

Recommended Finger Foods	Why and How
Bread	Bread is easy to pick up and soft enough for the baby to chew on. Cut small pieces of the bread and place it within the baby’s reach. It’s recommended that you introduce the child to whole wheat from the onset. You can also toast the bread though slightly but this is only recommended when the baby becomes pro with their pincer grasp.
Cereal	Cereals are already small in size making them easy for the child to grab. They are also naturally tender which makes them great finger foods for any child. There are different options with cereals and you can also choose to feed your child rice puffs or wheat. However, not all cereals are good and you might want to avoid honey-flavored cereals.
Cheese	Cheese is packed with nutrients like calcium, protein and other minerals. Cheese can have a strong flavor and you can start with mild tasting cheese such as mozzarella but make sure that you cut it into small cubes. Once your baby is used to the texture, smell and taste, you can broaden your range of cheese to Swiss cheese, grilled quesadillas and others.
Fruits	Fruits are great finger foods for babies. Soft fruits such as bananas, mangoes, apricots and peaches make great finger foods for babies. You can slice them up into tiny pieces or in the case of bananas simply peel them off. Not all fruits are good. Avoid unripe fruits and apples as these may easily choke the baby.
Vegetables	Veggies such as cauliflower, carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli and others are good finger foods. You can play around with foods such as cauliflower and broccoli as they are amusing for the baby. Ensure that the veggies are thoroughly cooked to make them extra soft. Avoid veggies that are easy to choke on such as tomatoes and raw, stringy fruits such as raw carrots and celery.
Tofu	Tofu is a good source of calcium, protein and fiber. Cut up tofu into small cubes to make it easier for the baby to eat. After introducing it into your child’s diet, wait for a couple of days to look for signs of allergies. Also wait until you child is about 8 months old because it’s much harder to digest.
Pasta	Pasta also qualifies as a good finger food and this is because it’s easy for the baby to eat. We recommend that you cut up the pasta into smaller bites and add some cheese to the meal to make it tastier.
French Toast	French toast is not only yummy but baby friendly as well. You can serve the toast with some blueberries and cinnamon to make it sweeter. However, keep the spices at a minimum. When making French toast for the baby, use egg yolks only.