Getting to grips with finger foods
Have you noticed that your baby has started trying to feed himself? It’s time to introduce finger foods…
Your baby will now begin to use the pincer grip of his thumb and forefinger to try and grab the spoon during feeding time! Follow baby's cues by introducing him to finger foods and letting him take hold of the spoon. It can be a little messy but encouraging self-feeding where possible will help develop your baby's hand eye co-ordination and independence.
Starting out
Start with soft fruit and vegetable pieces as they're the easiest things for baby to chew. Make sure you lightly cook the vegetables as raw foods are too hard for your baby to manage at this stage. Also peel the fruits before offering them. Try offering your baby banana, very ripe pear, mango, peach or nectarine, apricot, carrots, green beans, cauliflower or broccoli florets.
As time passes and your baby gets better at chewing, new fingers foods can be introduced.
These need a bit more effort and skill, so don't rush. Give some of the following foods a try:
- Breadsticks
- Cow & Gate Organic rice cakes
- Strips of pitta bread
- Cheese cubes
- Cooked pasta shapes
- Cow & Gate Savoury Fingers
- Cucumber
- Sliced apple
Never leave your baby alone when eating finger foods to prevent the possibility of choking.
Find out more about feeding your baby at this stage »
