Finger Foods
Finger foods are small bite-sized pieces of soft foods.
Your baby is ready for finger foods when he has developed a pincer grip. This means that he can pick up small items between his thumb and index finger. This milestone is reached somewhere between 9 and 10 months of age. Most babies love to feed themselves and are ecstatic about this new grip.
Any bite size piece of food that is easy to chew makes a good finger food. The favorites are usually dry cereals, such as Cherios or Rice Crispies. Other good ones are toast, crackers, cheese wedges, pieces of scrambled eggs, cooked vegetable strips, or slices of soft fruit. Some especially good fruits are bananas, peaches, and pears.
If your infant is over 8 months of age and you are having any kind of feeding problem, introducing more finger foods almost always helps. Be sure to decrease spoon-feeding as finger food consumption increases.
In summary, this new state of self-feeding is a wonderful time of discovery for your baby. If you have other questions about finger foods, consult your healthcare provider.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.
Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D. FAAP
Last Review: 6/1/2008
Last Revised: 9/1/2004
Copyright 1994-2008 Barton Schmitt, M.D. Parent Advice Messages.
