finger foods

What is the age for Introducing Baby Finger Foods - When will Baby be Ready for Finger Food?

advertisement 

 

 

All babies are different and there is no set-in-stone age for when to introduce finger foods. You should introduce finger foods when you feel that your baby is ready; this may be at 7 months old or when baby is 10 months old. The average age for introducing baby finger food is between 7 and 8 months of age.

 

Your baby should be able to "chew" using his or her gums to mash foods. Your baby should also have a pretty good pincher grasp. The pincher grasp is the the ability to grab and hold objects between the thumb and the fore finger. If your baby has the fine motor skill to maneuver and grab and hold onto foods with the pincher grasp, then your baby is probably ready for finger foods.

 

Why is the Pincher Grasp important when offering Baby Finger Food?

 

As with anything your baby is learning to accomplish, there is a level of frustration that comes with each milestone and accomplishment. If you offer your baby finger foods and your baby is not physically ready to pick up and hold onto the small bits of food, your baby may become frustrated. It is important to limit baby's frustration so as not to inadvertently begin to foster a negative relationship with food and self-feeding.

 

Finger Foods for Babies will do more than just provide nutrition.

 

Finger Foods help baby learn fine motor skills and Finger Foods allow baby to engage in the wonder and fun of food experimentation. When your baby reaches between 7-8 months old and has a pretty good pincher grasp, you may think about offering him finger foods. 

 

What are Good Finger Foods to Offer Baby?

 

Ideal Finger foods are those foods that baby can easily pick up and easily mash between his gums.  Finger foods help baby begin to learn to self-feed.  Good Baby Finger Foods are any foods that baby has already had - and anything that you can make into small soft and "mash-able" bits. Visit our Baby Finger Food Recipes and Ideas page to see the variety of foods you may offer.

 


Baby Finger Food Quick Tips

 

Baby Finger Foods should be ""mash-able"" between the gums.

 

Finger Foods should be age appropriate - do not offer your 8 month old whole eggs scrambled for example.

 

If your baby cannot hold her head up and sit up unassisted, do not offer her finger foods

 

Baby should always be sitting upright when offered Baby Finger Foods so as to avoid possible choking.

 

NEVER leave your baby unattended when serving Baby Finger Foods (or any other chunky food for that matter).

 

There is no brand of teething biscuit/cracker or recipe for teething biscuits/crackers that is guaranteed not to crumble or break off into pieces.


 

Finger Foods Read Grating Foods for Baby for more ideas on how to create baby finger foods and Visit our Baby Finger Food Recipes & Finger Food Ideas.

 

 

Headlines from our Baby Food Blog

 

Wholesome Homemade Baby Food News & Updates

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

 

Infant Reflux and Introducing Baby to Solid FoodsAddThis Social Bookmark Button

 

Introducing Baby Finger Foods

ImageSolid Foods for Baby

Useful articles and charts to help you with the fun and folly of introducing baby to solid foods.

 

Please be sure to visit our Baby Food Articles Library for more great information about solid foods.

Visit our Baby Food Blog & Check out our Mini Contests.

 
advertisement

wholesomebabyfood recipes links of interestMORE HOMEMADE BABY FOOD RECIPES & RECIPE TOPICS

View these pages for more tips & topics on baby feeding & cooking baby foods.

 

 

 

© Copyright 2003-2010wholesomebabyfood.com. All Rights Reserved. Information on wholesomebabyfood.com is presented for educational purposes only. While the information published on this site is believed to be accurate, it is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice. Statements and opinions expressed should not be considered facts to replace those from your qualified health care provider. Contents of this website may be reproduced only for personal use and may not appear on other websites or in other electronic formats. Contents may not be reproduced for other use without the express written consent of wholesomebabyfood.com. Privacy Policy & Notices
wholesomebabyfood.com SheKnows.com