Time for Finger Foods
Enjoying finger food
Once you notice your baby begin to grasp small objects, he is ready to begin feeding himself. It’s time for introducing finger foods! It’s more than just fun, as finger foods add texture to the diet and encourage self-feeding to help with oral and motor development. Remember, babies should always be supervised whenever they’re eating or drinking.
What’s the big fuss about finger foods?
Introducing finger foods will allow your baby to continue developing his oral and motor skills. You’ll know he’s ready when he is able to pick up objects with his thumb and index finger. Finger foods are one of the first steps in self-feeding and an important move towards using utensils.
Embrace the mess
Babies are not always the most polite guest at the dinner table but try to let it slide. Smashing, mushing and even throwing food are all ways for baby to learn about and explore the food he is eating. Recent research suggests that this type of play helps babies to learn to identify different types of food. Make it easier on yourself by providing small portions and putting down an easy-to-clean mat or shower curtain under his high chair.
Watch out for these finger foods
If your baby only has his front teeth, he’s capable of biting off a chunk of an uncooked carrot but he can’t actually chew it up, which means he could choke on it. Small, round or cylindrical foods have the greatest potential to become choking hazards for toddlers and babies.
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