Finger Foods (help)

Christina - posted on 11/08/2009

I found these amazing "cracker" snacks that my daughter LOVES! They are called Baby Mum Mums. They are organic and dissolve in her mouth. I have seen them at some Toys R Us and Whole Foods but also ordered them online. They are larger than the puffs so easier for her to feed herself and I feel safe giving them to her (taste quite yummy too).

Nicole - posted on 11/03/2009

my daughter's pediatrician said the same with my youngest so i started giving her mashed potatoes, small pieces of bread, peas, small pieces of green beans and things like that. you could pretty much give him anything that is soft enough that you could smush it with your fibgers.

Lucy - posted on 11/03/2009

With Amelia we started baby led weaning when she was 6months old. BLW involves NEVER giving purees or mush or spoon feeding, you let the baby feed themselves big chunks of regular table food. My daughter's first ever taste of anything other than breastmilk was a meal consisting of a variety of tastes and textures- broccoli florets, toast, banana and avacado. All these things were cut into big shunks so she could pick them up herself and have a good old chew on them.



A month into BLW and Amelia has a go at anything we have, curry, lasagne, casseroles, stews, stir fry, strips of chicken or beef, fresh fish, spaghetti and meatballs, scrambled egg, weetabix, etc etc etc. Basically just let your child have a go and feed themselves whatever you are having, just make sure it has no or very little salt or sugar in.



For those who worry about choking google baby led weaning and there is loads of info on it. A lady called Gill Rapely did a load of research and discovered that if a baby is able to pick something up and put it in their own mouth their is very little chance of them choking on it, the choking risk comes when adults are ramming things into babies mouths and then the little ones have no control over it.



Babies who feed themselves table food from the off tend to have better hand eye co-ordination, learn appetite control and have developed fine motor skills. My daughter who is 7months old has developed her pincer grip and can use it to pick small things like peas beans and sweetcorn up.

Caryl - posted on 11/02/2009

Here is a good website for baby food that I use: http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/

I started my daughter on puffs which basically melt in their mouths just a few weeks ago. I started her on solids when she was around 5.5 months...

I wash, peel and steam the veggies. After they cool, I puree them and then put them in ice cube trays and freeze them. I use water to thin out the mixture if necessary. Bananas and avocados don't need to be cooked. Hope this helps!

Kerri - posted on 11/02/2009

Quoting sindy:

omg i wouldn't start on finger foods yet, i'm scare she'll choke

I definatly know what you mean, i was unsure as well. But his doctor said this is a perfect time, just have him sitting up. I took these ladies advice, i tried the graduates the melt very quickly and he loves them. 

Alora - posted on 11/02/2009

i have yet to start my daughter on fingure foods but she is now 7 months and i am going to try this weekend with some puffs

Sindy - posted on 11/02/2009

omg i wouldn't start on finger foods yet, i'm scare she'll choke

Kerri - posted on 11/02/2009

Thank You all for the ideas, i will be trying all of you're ideas!!!

Star - posted on 11/02/2009

Kerri,
I'm a online/magazine type of person. The article I found w/some of the best suggestions is from Parents.com. Here's the link: http://www.parents.com/baby/feeding/soli...
Start w/smaller pieces obviously than what they show. If he doesn't chew them very well, you can always get a Munchkin Teething Feeder. Can be bought at Walmart, I love them. It's like a Popsicle style mesh netting; just put the food in & your baby can gnaw on it. Helps promote chewing & my son uses it when we go out to eat. He'll slobber for what we're eating so we'll put a chunk in there & let him go for it w/out worrying of choking. Now he can eat the soft stuff like avocado & bananas w/out it.

Kerrie - posted on 11/02/2009

In the grocery store they sell Graduates- finger puffs, star puffs, bitter biscuits and pin wheels- they all melt in their mouth so no choking- try one yourself first if you want. If you look on the label they have different stages sitter and crawler so go by what your baby can do. Also graham crackers are great. Once he gets used to feeding himself- very soft vegetables and pasta are good