Finger Food for Baby: What, When, and Why to Introduce
The majority of infants are really eager to feed themselves. Even though you might be reluctant to let your infant feed themselves, finger foods help your baby learn what different foods look like and the taste and smell that go with them.
What Are Finger Food For Baby?
Small food items known as “finger foods” are those that your baby can pick up and consume with their hands. Examples include soft fruits and vegetables, soft cheeses, and small pieces of cooked meat. They help your baby to become more autonomous, participate more in the feeding process, and form self-feeding habits.
What Are Finger Food For Baby
You may be unsure about the best time to introduce finger foods to your young child. The majority of kids who are nine months old have developed the “pincer grip,” which allows them to pick up little pieces of food and place them in their mouths. Babies start to appreciate the range of flavors and textures in food at this point.
When infants learn to feed themselves, they grow more independent and develop lifelong, good eating habits. Even young babies are able to determine if they have eaten enough or still need to eat. Baby finger feeding provides them control over their food choices and teaches them to recognize fullness and when to stop eating.
Most infants can chew finger foods between the ages of 9 and 12 months. If your child exhibits any of the following behaviors, you’ll know they’re ready for finger foods:
the food things fit in.
has developed a few teeth.
periodically seems to be more hungry.
is more interested in the meals that grownups are consuming than in pureed foods.
Best finger foods for babies
The best baby finger foods include the following:
mature bananas
Eggs, meatballs that have been sliced into smaller bits, chicken or other meat in little pieces, and ground meat
piping hot pasta
Easily mashed, well-cooked vegetables like carrots, beans, broccoli, and cauliflower
Pieces of parantha, dosa, or roti
Bran flakes and other cereals
muffins that have been fragmented
well-prepared beans, like kidney beans
soft foods like tofu, cheese, and paneer
Fruits such as peach, papaya, mango, melon, kiwi, and soft pear
Deboned fish pieces
Your kid will be able to eat slightly firmer meals by the age of one year, like:
vegetables that are raw, like chunks of cucumber and carrot.
fruits, such as grapes, strawberries, apricots, plums, and cherries.
Pita bread and curd or hummus.
Breadsticks and toast.
What Are Finger Food For Baby
You can help your baby by giving them other foods, such cereal, since they might not be able to feed themselves adequately at first. Do not stop giving your kid breastmilk or formula because they both provide the nutrients that they need in addition to finger foods.
Allow your infant to eat in a high chair and stay with them throughout the entire meal. You have the option of dining with them. Although they may initially screw up, your baby will soon be able to feed themselves properly.
To prevent wastage, just feed your infant when he or she is actually hungry. If you are providing fruits, peel them and remove any pits or seeds before cutting the fruits into small, bite-sized pieces.
If your infant struggles at first with finger feeding or rejects a particular meal, don’t give up. Since most newborns need some time to get used to new flavors and sensations, if they don’t like something, try it again the following week. It could take a few tries for some newborns before they warm to the meal.
Choking and Gagging
If a baby eats a food item that is too big for them, they risk choking or gagging. The youngster coughs or splutters as the food is pushed to the front of the mouth as a natural reflex to avoid an object from getting lodged in the throat. Contrarily, choking is a quiet condition that happens when food gets lodged in the airway. Your kid needs attention right away if they are choking since it might be fatal.
Always keep an eye on your youngster at mealtimes and steer clear of distractions like using a cell phone or the television. Avoid giving your infant finger items that could obstruct their airway, such as nuts, hard candies, and entire grapes, and make sure your youngster eats at a table.
Foods to avoid
whole berries, grapes, cherry or grape tomatoes, etc.
Peanuts, seeds, nuts, and dried fruits
Fruit and vegetable chunks that are hard and uncooked
whole sausages and hotdogs
Other snacks include popcorn and chips.
Various candies and marshmallows
pieces of pork or cheese
White or untoasted bread
nuts and peanut butter
Now that you are aware of the foods to introduce and steer clear of when your baby is finger feeding, make sure it is enjoyable for both you and your child. Greetings, parents!