Finger foods are a great way to give your little one more
independence when eating. They can also help to develop hand-eye
co-ordination and encourage your baby to learn how to chew.
When can I give my baby finger foods?
The age at which a baby is ready to start self feeding varies
from one to another, as all babies are different. However, many
will be able to feed themselves between the ages of 7-9 months.
You'll actually find your little one is eager to do this as it's a
fun time for them and gives them more independence. Remember, you
should always supervise your baby when they are feeding to make
sure they don't choke.
What first finger foods should I try?
It's best to offer finger foods that are soft, easy to chew and
dissolve easily in the mouth. Some good examples are:
- Peeled and washed fruit such as melon, banana or apple
slices
- Cooked and cooled vegetables such as carrot batons
- Baby biscuits or rusks with a 'melt in the mouth' texture
Make sure you peel fruit and vegetables and ensure they are nice
and soft for your baby. Also, take care to remove any stones, pips
or seeds and chop round or cylinder shaped foods such as grapes, to
avoid choking. Even if they don't have any teeth, they will still
be able to 'gum' their food.
And don't worry if all your baby does is suck at a finger food
to begin with - it's a great learning experience for them and some
food will eventually go in!
How can I progress onto more finger foods?
As your baby gets used to feeding themselves finger foods, you
can try lots of different foods and even make a meal out of finger
foods. Finger food meals for a toddler are a great way of giving
them independence
Other finger foods to try (opt for no added salt versions
if you can):
- Breadsticks
- Rice cakes
- Cubes of cheese
- Soft cooked, moist chicken slices
- Strips of pitta or crust-less toast
Why not try this yummy recipe for Chewy
Oat and Orange Fingers, for your 12 month+ toddler?
Finger food meals (make sure food is cool enough to be picked up
before serving):
- Crust-less cheese and peeled cucumber mini sandwiches
- Cauliflower and broccoli cheese
- Stir fry with soft cooked vegetables and moist, well cooked
meat strips such as beef or chicken
- Soft vegetable sticks, such as peeled cucumber and red pepper
with dips like hummus or cream cheese
- Well cooked cheese omelette, cut into strips
For more finger food recipe ideas, such as beef stir fry,
spinach frittata and mini burgers visit our Heinz Baby recipes
page.