Advice History

What is the best type of "finger food" to start with?

Water-soluble is key! If a food doesn't dissolve quickly in water (or other liquid), I try to wait until baby has more teeth before introducing it. Foods that need lots of grinding down are best left to wait for a few months before letting baby eat them as a finger food.

Are there any finger foods I should prevent my toddler from having?

Anything that could pose a choking hazard should be avoided. This includes grapes, nuts, hot dogs, hard candies, and chunks of hard cheese or meats. The key is to start with food that is very mashable (will it dissolve in water?) and then slowly move to foods that are a little more solid, like soft cheeses, well-cooked vegetables, and well-cooked pasta. Until toddlers get their flat molars, they don't have the ability to grind and chew their food well. Once the first set of molars are in, your toddler will be able to chew better and can tackle more complex foods, but hard to chew foods should be avoided due to the choking risk.