Make Baby Finger Foods

Finger foods for babies do more than provide nutrition! Finger foods help baby learn fine motor skills and also allow baby to engage in the wonder and fun of food experimentation. Allowing your baby to explore and have fun with foods may be messy however it will help your baby develop a positive relationship with food.

Fruits and Vegetables make great baby finger foods! Colourful and highly nutritious, small soft bits of veggies and fruits will have your baby's fingers pinching away for hours!

Steps

  1. Start at the right age. When your baby reaches between 7-8 months old and has a developed pincher grasp, you may think about offering him finger foods to engage fine motor skills and food exploration.
  2. Check with your Pediatrician to determine which foods to introduce when. This will depend on your family's allergen history, type of foods you eat, and the nature of the food itself.
  3. Look at the child's fine motor skills. The pincher grasp (the ability to hold an object between thumb and first finger) does not have to be perfect but if your baby is able to pick up small finger foods, it will help ease frustration.
  4. De-seed all fruits and vegetables!
  5. Fruits may be cooked as needed or served "raw" if soft and ripe
  6. Peel and steam or gently cook the vegetables.
  7. Dice the fruits vegetables into small bits or chunks if needed.
  8. Mash fruits and vegetables as needed.
  9. Serve to your baby in a bowl, on a plate or directly on the (clean)highchair tray.

Tips

  • Coat slippery finger foods with crushed up cereals or wheat germ! This will help baby pick up the foods with ease.
  • soft baked sweet potato dices
  • small dices of ripe banana
  • Examples of fruit and veggie finger foods:
  • small dices of soft cooked carrots
  • soft baked peaches - diced
  • soft baked white potato dices
  • small bits of ripe mango
  • small dices of soft cooked peas
  • Other finger foods you can make at home: Soft breads and overcooked homemade pasta.

Warnings

  • NEVER leave your baby unattended when serving baby finger foods (or any other foods)!
  • Baby finger foods should be "mashable" between the gums as babies do not have molars for chewing!
  • Foods should never be fried or loaded with a lot of fat, grease, or oil.
  • Please keep in mind that your baby should only be offered finger foods that are soft, easily mashed and age appropriate!
  • Baby should always be sitting upright when offered baby finger foods so as to avoid possible choking!

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References

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