When to Introduce Finger Foods?

Anne - posted on 03/14/2009

My daughter's teeth just broke through, though. Is it OK to give her finger foods, or should I wait until her teeth are erupted further?

Nichola - posted on 03/14/2009

my son has been eating finger foods for a couple months now most of the stuff is things he can mush up like bananas and those puffs but he likes cheese crakers and the other night he was doing fine with lil pieces of hot dog i just thinks its by how your baby handles solid foods

Heather - posted on 03/14/2009

My son (July 4th) has been eating finger foods for a copule of months now.  We started him on Baby Mum Mums just after Christmas, and now he loves to pick up pieces of bananas, avacado, and cheerios.  The rule of thumb I was told was to make sure your baby can sit up, and can gum her foods.  She should also have an interest in feeding herself...Holden was reaching for spoons and our food pretty early on.  Just make sure food is small and mushable, and stay close by in case of choking.

Heather - posted on 03/14/2009

My son (July 4th) has been eating finger foods for a copule of months now.  We started him on Baby Mum Mums just after Christmas, and now he loves to pick up pieces of bananas, avacado, and cheerios.  The rule of thumb I was told was to make sure your baby can sit up, and can gum her foods.  She should also have an interest in feeding herself...Holden was reaching for spoons and our food pretty early on.  Just make sure food is small and mushable, and stay close by in case of choking.

Sarah - posted on 03/14/2009

hey! my son (july 23) i have started giving him cheerios, he eats peices of panacake, baby mummums he Loves! he didnt care too much yet for frest fruit, except apples. I put them in a mesh bag, which was great untill you have to clean them...

just watch baby with whatever you give them,... i think they should let you know if they are ready or even intrested in finger foods yet.

Shanna - posted on 03/13/2009

I also break the gerber uffs in half and put them on her tray. She doesn't really eat them, she actually picks them all up and holds them in her one hand lol - very cute. I just give them to her so she can learn to pick them up and eventually put them in her mouth

Shanna - posted on 03/13/2009

My daughter (July 15) is just startting on finger foods. I was really scared to give her anything for fear of choking. I reccomend purchasing one of those mesh teething items - you put food in them so baby can learn to chew without choking. I have just been putting fruit in there so far but people put all kinds of things in there. My daughter also does very well with the baby MumMums

Beth - posted on 03/13/2009

My daughter loves rice rusks...they're in the baby food isle, and basically the same thing as gerber puffies, but shaped like a big cracker, so she can hold it better.  She just gums it until it dissolves in her mouth.  She's also just started gumming some saltine crackers without salt.

Lucinda - posted on 03/12/2009

I've just started my son on vegemite toast - he loves it! He's still getting used to chewing it though.

Nichole - posted on 03/12/2009

I was told the rule of thumb for finger foods is when they can sit up on their own...however with supervision there shouldn't really be an issue my almost 8 month old loves to chomp of cold cucumbers to ease the teething pain and we haven't had any problems yet.  Good Luck!

Annabel - posted on 03/12/2009

My daughter is eating Biscotti's easily, bread and bananas. But as you'd expect under supervision. She accidently stole some garlic bread from my plate and ate it all. Screamed in the cafe when I tried to take it off her. Love sucking on cooked and fresh veggies. Cucumber is one of her favourites to suck. If you are very worried, you can get one of those munchies teething food nets, only drawback is that they are hard to clean.

Amy - posted on 03/12/2009

I started my daughter on biter biscuits and those little puff wheels last month...just so long as you watch her so she doesn't get choked on any small pieces that break off....my daughter loves it cause she's teething right now and she can really chomp down on some of that stuff....plus you could try banana pieces since they are softer...basically go with your gut and what you think she can handle.

Svetlana - posted on 03/12/2009

I think general opinion, is at 9 mo old. But I think you have to try and see if your baby is ready. I tried to give my daughter gerber puffs, but her pincer grasp (holding objects between thumb and index finger) is not developed very vell yet. However. she gladly holds and tries to chew on bigger pieces of apple.