When to Start Finger Foods

Contrary to what you might think, you don't have to wait until your baby has teeth to start feeding him or her solid finger foods. Finger foods can be started as soon as your baby displays signs that he or she is ready for them as outlined below, although this occurs for most babies between 7 to 9 months of age. Also included are some important considerations regarding how you should offer finger foods and what finger foods are best for babies.

  1. Signs of Readiness

    • When your baby displays the following signs, you should begin considering introducing finger foods:

      Baby can sit up well by himself (without support)
      Reaching for the spoon while feeding
      Reaching for food off parent's plate
      Displaying increased interest in what parents are eating

      If your baby has not displayed any of these signs by the time she is 10 months old, please consult your physician. Additionally, if your baby has allergies, problems swallowing, or any other eating-related issues, it is best to consult your physician before beginning finger foods regardless of displays of readiness.

    How to Offer Finger Foods

    • When they are first beginning to feed themselves, babies are learning about food textures, colors, aromas, and tastes. Thus, it is important to offer them a variety of foods. Start small, both in piece size and portion size, and be prepared for a mess. Be sure to feed your baby in a high chair, rather than a car seat as this will help get babies into a healthy eating routine and help avoid choking. However, you should always supervise baby while he is eating.

      Some parents find that babies are most open to trying finger foods when they are hungry -- before giving them baby food or a bottle, or before breastfeeding. However, if you wait too long and the child is very hungry she may not have the patience for finger foods, and so it may be best to wait and offer them as a snack later. Additionally, many parents find that babies respond best to finger foods that are the same as or similar to what parents are eating.

    What Finger Foods to Offer

    • Whether your baby has teeth yet or not, the best finger foods are those that can be easily gummed or dissolved in small pieces to avoid choking. Good choices include:

      Baby crackers or regular crackers broken into smaller pieces
      Dry cereals that have smaller pieces
      Well-cooked vegetables cut into small pieces
      Soft ripe fruits cut into small pieces (i.e., bananas, avocados, peaches, watermelon)
      Very small pieces of well-cooked meats or small cubes of tofu
      Small pieces of cheese
      Scrambled eggs or chopped hard-boiled egg
      Cooked pasta or macaroni

      Remember, honey should still be avoided until your baby is one year old, so don't feed him things like honey graham crackers or honey cereals (i.e., Honey Nut Cheerios, etc.). Also, avoid any foods that are overly chewy or gummy or those foods that do not break down easily.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • How to Increase a Baby's Appetite
      With the exception of a few toddlers, most babies are fussy eaters, which is a cause of concern for most parents. As babies continue to grow, there comes a stage when their rate of growth decreases, which causes the appetite to diminish, states the K
    • Breakfast Foods for 9 Month Old Babies
      The diet of a 9-month-old baby is in a state of transition, as she is eating some solid foods while still making breast milk or formula a staple of her diet. According to BabyCenter, your 9 month old should be eating solid food three times a day. Bre
    • Is it bad for a baby to eat sand?
      Its very bad for a baby to eat sand. Heres why:* Choking hazard: Sand is small and can easily get lodged in a babys airway, causing them to choke. * Gastrointestinal problems: Sand is not digestible and can cause stomach upset, constipation, or even