Baby Finger Foods

Jackson has been eating finger foods for a while. Since introducing solid foods, he's never had a problem with eating chunks, and chewing. We started with cooked pieces of vegetables, and eventually moved on to soft fruits, pasta, meat, cheerios etc. A lot of parents are leery about starting finger foods, but you would be surprised to see what babies can mush with their gums! You can find some tips here to decide if your baby is ready to try finger foods. You should always introduce one new food to baby at a time, and wait a few days in between new foods in case of reaction. We have found that sometimes j won't like a certain food, sometimes the food just needs to be cooked differently, or seasoned. A great tip for fruits, is to coat them in crushed cereal, to allow baby to grip them better. 


Some Finger foods for baby:


Fruits (cut into cubes);
-Pear (soft)
-Banana
-Melon
-Avocado
-Kiwi
-Blueberries (i smush them slightly to break the skin, or cut them if they're really big)
-Apple (baked)
-Mango


Veggies (cooked until soft, when needed cut into cubes);
-Sweet potato
-Peas
-Carrot
-Squash
-Broccoli (this we have started putting in his meatloaf, he's not a fan, regardless of seasoning)
-Green beans (J isn't a fan, but they really don't have taste unless seasoned)


Grains;
-Whole grain toast (cut into pieces, or strips, we spread avocado on it)
-Whole grain pasta (we add sauce, parmesan cheese, and cubed veggies and meat)
-Whole grain rice 
-Cheerios, nutrios, puffed kamut, or wheat
-Cut up pita
-Sandwiches, made with whole grain bread (we make grilled cheese, with sneaky broccoli, and cut the sandwich into strips)


Other;
-Egg yolk
-Small dices of cheese
-Meatloaf sticks
-Small dices of chicken or beef


We've discovered lately, that Jackson can really eat whatever we are eating. Provided that it isn't too spicy, salty, or has added sugar. 


I am always on the hunt for new fun recipes for him, and sneaky ways to hide the veggies he doesn't like!


*Always consult your doctor before starting baby on solid foods, introducing new foods, or introducing finger foods.