Flag as Not Acceptable?
We review flagged content and enforce our Terms of Use, in which content must never be:
- Profane or sexually explicit
- Disrespectful or abusive
- Infringing of copyright
Between 7 and 9 months of age, your little one will graduate from all things pureed to finger foods -- the first step toward independent eating. While it's exciting to graduate from those tiny jars and other mushy items, as your baby takes more control, be prepared for meal times to take longer and be a whole lot messier. The good news: there's more than Cheerios to offer, provided you're mindful of your baby's safety.
Experts agree that by 9 months, most babies are ready to start eating finger foods. You'll know it's time when your baby can sit well and starts swiping at your veggie wrap or reaching for her spoon in an attempt to feed herself.
Expect finesse to come with time and practice. At first, he'll simply be able to grasp and gum -- that is, hold and make a gooey mess of a lightly toasted bagel or rice cake. But by 9 months, most have developed the pincer grip -- the lobster claw-like fine motor skill that allows them to pick up pea-sized items with the thumb and forefinger. This milestone opens a world of edible options; it also means you have to be as vigilant as Madeline's Miss Clavelle to keep her safe from choking.
Baby's menu should consist of foods that are soft, gum-able, or will melt quickly in the mouth (try it yourself), offered in non-round pieces less than one-half inch in size (think pea- or marble-sized). You may be used to eating on the run but for your baby, this is a recipe for disaster, so only offer foods when she's sitting down safely. Start by putting four or five pieces on her baby dish or high chair tray. If she finishes these, you can always offer more.
The American Academy of Pediatrics warns caregivers to keep the following foods -- all prime choking hazards -- off limits until children are at least 4 years old:
Fear not, this leaves you plenty of room to explore. Here are a few fun, healthy foods to offer in baby-safe pieces:
ParentPedia contains the opinions and views of other users. Given the interactive nature of ParentPedia, we cannot endorse, guarantee, or be responsible for the accuracy, efficacy, or veracity of any content generated by our users.
The contents of ParentPedia are intended for educational purposes only. Such contents are not intended to, and do not, constitute medical or healthcare advice or diagnosis, and may not be used for such purposes. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Reliance on information presented on ParentPedia is at your own risk.
We review flagged content and enforce our Terms of Use, in which content must never be: