13 Great Finger Foods for Babies

You might have seen your baby picking food from the plate when you are eating. Motor skills development is highly boosted when baby starts doing activities on his own. I noticed Anshika picking out eatables from my plate and eating on her own in her 8th month. She picked up a piece and struggled to put it in her mouth . As days passed , she became an expert in it and started having everything on her own :). Today’s post is about the 13 great finger foods for babies.

Your baby might not have any teeth or started teething. But trust me the cuties are blessed with strong gums which help to chew anything they gulp. So the introduction of finger foods helps the transition of feeding to self feeding easier. Let’s see the finger foods which can be introduced from 8th month one by one.

1. Chicken

Wash and clean a boneless chicken piece and pressure cook it well for 2-3 whistles with a little salt and water. Once cooled , shred the chicken/ cut into narrow strips.  Once cooled you can give this to baby. You can also saute the shredded chicken in 1 teaspoon of ghee.

2. Apple

Apple available throughout the year, can be given as it is or steamed. Cut into small pieces and give it to your baby

3. Cucumber

Clean and cut cucumber w/o skin into small bite size pieces. Refrigerate it for 1-2 minutes, take it out and give to your baby . The cooled cucumber pieces will soothe baby’s gums and thereby a great finger food.

4. Sweet Potato Chips

Wash and clean a sweet potato . Cut into thin wedges or long finger shapes the same way you do for finger chips. Fry it in oil and add a pinch of salt to it. I am sure babies would love to nibble on this healthy finger food

5. Carrots

Carrots like cucumber can be given. Steamed carrot pieces can also be given.

6. Cheese

Cut cheese slices or cubes into small pieces . It can be an ideal finger food loved by your baby

7. Banana

Cut golden-yellow banana into small pieces . Let the baby eat it by picking each piece . Though after a little while he might start squeezing it up and creating a mess , I am sure he will learn about the texture of bananas

8. Pears

Steam pears and cut into smaller chunks like apples

9. Mango

Take out the skin of mango and cut into small squares. I am sure your baby would love to make his hands and mouth smeared with mango pulp at the same time relishing it 🙂

10. Plums

Cut plums into smaller pieces,deseed and give it to your baby. The sour and sweet taste of plums would be liked by most of the babies

11. Broccoli

Broccoli is one of the best finger foods for your 8m+ baby. Steam broccoli for 5 minutes and cut into small bite pieces. Once warm give it to your baby. I am sure your baby will make a mess , but it’s so good to see them play with their food and experience that joy.

12. Cooked Green Peas

Cook green peas with water until its cooked . Take in a bowl once cooled and add a pinch of salt.

13. Avocados

Scoop out the flesh of an avocado and cut into small soft pieces.

NOTE 

• No whole nuts like ground nuts , hazelnuts , almonds etc to be introduced as finger foods in order to  avoid choking
• Always be near your baby while he / she is having finger foods
• Please avoid larger chunks of fruits or veggies
• Don’t allow your baby to stuff everything into his mouth all at once

Image credit : Flickr Johansonin

Hope you liked this post on finger foods for babies .