Starting to feed your beans some finger foods is definitely a big step and an accomplishment in their development. They start to transition from mushy foods to bite-sized solid foods. And they start to learn taking control of the feeding process too. But questions usually pop in the minds of mamas and papas about this, right? Well, we’ll give you a run-down of when to introduce finger foods, the best ones for starters, and some few reminders so you and your bean will be ready.
When to Start Giving Finger Foods?
Knowing the right time to introduce finger foods is important. It should not be too early so the beans will surely be ready. It should not be too late also so it won’t affect the development and learning of the beans. Normally, giving finger foods start when they're around 8 to 9 months old. This is when beans start to move their hands to their mouth constantly and have chewing motions. That’s why it’s needed to observe their actions too because introducing finger foods can come sooner or later from this timeframe. But some parents plan on adopting the baby-led weaning process. In this, offering finger foods can already start at around 6 months because you get to skip spoon feeding in this method. No matter the approach, giving them finger foods is a great way to teach independence at a very young age.
Best Finger Foods for Starters
You may already have some ideas on what finger foods to offer your bean. But to add to the list, check out some of the best finger food suggestions you can start off with:
- Steamed veggies like sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots, green beans, peas
- Soft, ripe fruits like bananas, berries, peaches (peeled), mangoes (peeled)
- Whole-grain breakfast cereals (without whole nuts, clusters, or chunks)
- Whole-grain pasta (cooked well)
- Whole-wheat bread
- Whole-grain crackers or wafers like teething biscuits
- Soft meats like chicken
- Cheese (mild)
- Scrambled eggs
These are just some of the general finger food ideas but edamama has a few healthy suggestions for mamas and papas to try too!
Tips and Reminders
Finger food safety
The most important thing to be reminded of when starting with finger foods is ensuring your bean’s safety. Always have the foods cut into small pieces so that they will not have a hard time chewing and avoid choking. And to be fully cleared of these risks, avoid small, round, coin-shaped, hard, chewy, crunchy, slippery, or sticky foods like the ones listed below:
- Peanut butter (in chunks)
- Meat (in chunks)
- Cheese (in chunks)
- Raw veggies (in large chunks or round shapes), including celery sticks, carrot sticks, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, and peas
- Raw hard fruit (in large chunks or round shapes), including apples, pears, and grapes
- Nuts (whole)
- Seeds
- Popcorn
- Chewing gum
- Candies (hard, gooey, or sticky)
- Hot dogs or meat sticks
Some foods from the list can still be eaten though. For the raw hard fruits, simply just ensure they are sliced or cut into small pieces perfect for the bean to still be able to chew. The same goes for the meats and hot dogs while making sure they’re cooked properly too. Peanut butter can be spread on bread then cut into small pieces so that the beans can have a taste also!
Keep an eye out for allergies
Getting to have solid finger foods allows mamas and papas to know if the beans are allergic to certain types of food. It’s a stage where you can introduce a wide variety of foods while keeping tabs of any reactions. But if there’s family history of allergies for some foods, it’s still best to consult your bean’s pediatrician for guidance on how to learn about the reactions.
Introducing the beans to finger foods serves as a big leap in their development. It can give you different benefits like teaching independence, getting comfortable with solid foods, and learning about possible allergic reactions early on. But a new phase comes with exercising caution too. Always give your time in making sure that the foods are well-prepared and chosen properly for the health and safety of the little one. It’s truly a big step and we’re proud of you and your bean!
Resource:
The Best Finger Foods for Babies. 2022. Pampers. https://www.pampers.com/en-us/baby/feeding/article/finger-foods-for-baby
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