How do I know my baby is ready for finger foods?

Penny - posted on 05/13/2009

I read that the foods to worry about are slippery things that can get "shot" (when they bite down with their gums) into their throat and get lodged there. Some examples are grapes, jelly beans, hot dogs, peanuts, peas, etc. If the food can't be mushed with gums, they should be avoided. Also of concern is anything that can be inhaled, like popcorn and raw firm-fleshed veggies and fruit (unripe pears, apples, carrots, peppers), or chunks of meat.

Kimberly - posted on 05/13/2009

Thanks all of you I think I gonna take that jump and let him try it. I will let ya'll know what happens.

Chelsea - posted on 05/13/2009

This info was great. I was just thinking the same thing about my boy. He loves to eat, but I was worried he was gonna choke on stuff. Now I am going to try letting him eat some stuff. Thanks

Melissa - posted on 05/13/2009

My son is already eating pancakes, cheerios, Gerber puffs, etc. They don't use the two front teeth to chew anyway, they use their gums.

Tammy - posted on 05/13/2009

lets put it this way, our little boy has no teeth yet and he has things like, rusks, toast, baby crisp things,beans on toast! lol you will be suprised what they can eat, infact he stole the crusts from my pizza tonight ! he only gummed it tho! Start with something like a rusk as that melts in the mouth. I was the same as you, was so worried that he would choke but apparently they have very good gag reflexes and he really really loves his finger food now. Good luck x

Jenifer - posted on 05/13/2009

They're ready for finger foods as soon as they're ready for purees, really. The jarred baby food is just as much of a choking hazard as age-appropriate finger foods. You'll probably find he'll enjoy being able to feed himself, too. We started around 6 months with banana slices, apples (grated or chopped), cooked broccoli, carrot sticks, watermelon, toast, cheerios, etc. Just make sure that you are giving him things that are large enough to grasp but can be easily mashed in his mouth.

Sarah - posted on 05/13/2009

i had no idea if my baby was ready. he tries to pick up little things off the floor and eat them though, so i figured he might as well do that with food! so i cut up bananas and avacados REALLY small, and I'll put them in his mouth, and he'll try to put them in his mouth. Also there are these dissolving Gerber puff things, and he can grab those pretty well. i just think of them as practice food, not real food! :-) good luck!