If introducing first solids seemed confusing, knowing when to start giving your baby finger foods can be even more overwhelming. This guide will explain the best ways to introduce finger foods to your baby and some simple foods and creative ways to allow your baby to become involved in feeding time.
An Introduction to Finger Foods
The introduction of finger foods represents a step towards independence for your baby. It is a time of learning and breaking boundaries and can help to establish eating habits later in life. Just like the introduction of those first pureed foods, the introduction of finger foods can be a time of uncertainty for both infant and parent. There are a number of things a parent may feel when starting solids, these include:
- Concern over the risk of your infant choking on large chunks of food
- Worries about the amount of food your baby is actually consuming on their own
- A feeling of sadness as your infant finds new levels of independence
However there's nothing to worry about, the growing independence of your infant will help make meal time somewhat easier for both of you, and finding independence is a part of growing up after all! If you have concerns over the amount of food your baby is consuming, and they seem to be doing more playing than eating, continue to feed pureed food until they begin to refuse it. Most parents find that once their child realizes they can feed themselves, they soon refuse all interaction or assistance from their carer.
When to Start Finger Foods
It is generally accepted that the best age to start finger foods is around 7 to 9 months of age.
There are several signs to look for that will let you know your infant is ready to take the step from mashed foods to finger foods including:
- Grabbing for the spoon
- Able to eat mashed and coarse foods
- Definite chewing action when eating
- No gagging or choking when eating mashed foods
- Not accepting mashed foods
- Grabbing for other people's foods even after their meal
- Only eating if allowed to use the spoon themselves
All of these signs are ways your infant is interested in being more independent with their feeding. If you begin to find feeding times a battle with a never ending fight over who is holding the spoon then it's time to hand over that spoon!
Keep reading to discover the best first finger foods for your little one...
Introducing Solid Foods to Your Infant - What you Need to know about First Solids and Finger Foods
Introducing new foods to your child can be a nerve wracking and confusing time. This easy to follow article series will discuss the basics of introducing those first solids to your infant and continue through to great finger foods you can introduce as your child grows.