How to Feed a Baby: Finger Foods Babies Love

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Tired of Cheerios? Over 40 Finger Foods Your Baby Will Love

Learning how to feed a baby can be harder than you expect. Here are fresh ideas that your hungry tot will be excited to pick up (20 Photos)

Patty Onderko on Nov 29, 2011 at 4:28PM

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Over 40 Healthy and Creative Finger Foods

Source: Getty Images

Ahh, the pincer grasp! It’s an important evolutionary milestone that nobody knows about until they become parents. (Why should opposable thumbs get all the attention?) The ability to pick up small objects using your thumb and pointer finger usually kicks in around 9 months -- and, the bonus for parents is that it allows infants to feed their own darn selves. So put down the spoon and serve up these great finger food ideas.

Don’t Expect Your Baby to Chew
“Before age one, babies are gumming the food more than chewing,” says Jennifer Shu, M.D., author of the book Food Fights from the American Academy of Pediatrics. So serve up tiny bites -- about the size of a pea or your pinky fingernail -- in case your tot swallows it whole. Common choking hazard to avoid: Hot dogs, hard or gummy candy, (not that you would, but you never know) gum, whole nuts, raisins and any dried-fruit pieces, popcorn, and seeds. But any food can pose a choking risk if not sized right. Quarter grapes, slice blueberries, dice cooked carrots, break up crackers, and so on.

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Tired of Cheerios? Over 40 Finger Foods Your Baby Will Love

Over 40 Healthy and Creative Finger Foods