At what age is a baby able to start eating fingerfoods.?

Question

At what age is it safe to give a baby finger foods and at what age do they usually start eating finger foods. My daughter is almost 8 months and is always wanting the food off of my plate. I have been giving her crackers but when can I start cutting up things for her to eat because she is getting bored with baby food. Also what is safe to feed her and at what age are they able to get the food into their mouth their selves.

Answer 1

You can do it now, at 8 months.

Answer 2

When your baby's between 7 and 9 months old, he'll probably let you know that he's ready to start feeding himself — by grabbing the spoon you're feeding him with or snatching food off your plate.

At first, your baby may just rake food into his hand and bring it to his mouth, but eventually he'll figure out how to use his thumb and forefinger to pick up food. This fine motor skill milestone is called the pincer grasp.

Simply scatter four or five pieces of finger food onto your baby's highchair tray or an unbreakable plate. You can add more as your baby eats them.

Feeding your baby in a highchair rather than in a car seat or stroller will reduce the risk of choking and teach him that a highchair is the place to eat.

Your baby may have a good appetite, but he probably doesn't have many teeth, so start with foods that he can gum or that will dissolve easily in his mouth. As he grows into a toddler, you'll be able to give him bite-size pieces of whatever you're eating.

Remember that your baby's learning about food's texture, color, and aroma as he feeds himself, so try to offer him a variety. The food should be easy to handle but not present a choking hazard. And be sure to choose food that's appropriate for his age.

Here's a list of finger food favorites:
• O-shaped toasted oat cereal or other low-sugar cereal
• Lightly toasted bread or bagels (spread with vegetable puree for extra vitamins)
• Small chunks of banana or other very ripe peeled and pitted fruit, like mango, plum, pear, peach, cantaloupe, or seedless watermelon
• Small cubes of tofu
• Well-cooked pasta spirals, cut into pieces
• Very small chunks of cheese
• Chopped hard-boiled egg (after 12 months)
• Cut-up raisins, softened dried apricots, or stewed prunes
• Small pieces of well-cooked vegetables, like carrots, peas, zucchini, potato, or sweet potato
• Small well-cooked broccoli or cauliflower "trees"
• Pea-size pieces of cooked chicken or other soft meat
• Rice cakes or crackers broken into small pieces
• Shelves finger foods like Gerber puffs and biscuits.

Be sure to cut all foods up very well to prevent choking. Never leave your babies side while they eat finger foods.

Answer 3

I always start giving regular food (cut up hotdogs, carrotts, mashed potatoes, noodles, even cheetos, etc...) when my kids get their teeth in and I see them chewing. Make sure you sit with her to make sure she is chewing, cause she'll choke if she doesn't chew. If she is biting and chewing her crackers and not just sucking on them till they're soft, then you shouldn't have any problems. My youngest started eating solid foods at around 7 months, cause he never liked baby food, and refused to eat and started losing weight. He cut his front 8 teeth all at once. I talked to his doctor, and he said mashed potatoes, cooked carrots, noodles, and anything that is still soft, should be fine, make sure you get all the food groups in there though.

Answer 4

I never fed my second baby food. When eh was odl enoguh to reach for what was on my plate he coudl have it. If it is somethign they can not chew, obviously its notr an option. If it can be cut up or mashed and gummed they can have it. It is SAFER for a child to finger feed than to have mom or dad spoon feed. Feeding themselves THEY have the control of when and where it goes in their mouths. THEY have the ability to say nope no more!

Answer 5

GERBER HAS FINGER FOODS