[biankabu]

Hi,
I have browsed through a number of posts in search of a similar topic but couldn't find any, hence I have decided to write.

My son is 8 months old and a good eater. He eats three good solid meals (fruit, veggies, meat and fish) and has 4 BF and 1 FF per 24 hours. He is quite independent and I can see that he would like to feed himself. I would like to introduce finger food but am too scared of him choking. We tried a few times with toast, cucumber and melon and he puts everything straight to his mouth and a few times gagged, which for me is stressful enough even though apparently normal.

I don't know if it matters but he still has no teeth.

Did you have similar fears when you were starting with finger food? Did you cut up food in sticks or small pieces?
Thanks

[elle-zo]

Let him have a go! My boy is also 8 months - he much prefers to feed himself with finger food, or even really messy foods like pasta or stews.

Just make sure you steam crunchy veg like carrots, broccoli or even capsicum to make them easier for him to gnaw on. They like a little bit of resistance as it feels good on their gums, but not too much or they find it hard to gnash food with their gums and then swallow.

They have a strong gag reflex, so larger chunks will not get stuck.

Have fun with it! There are more posts on Baby-led Weaning (aka feeding finger foods) in one of the other sections if you search

[jindy poss]

Try things like banana, stewed apple & pear. I make little meatballs with veg in them the cut them in 1/2 and DS shovels them in :)Also in the fresh pasta section of the supermarket they have kids ravioli which are perfect size and easy to chew. Recently DS has got into little corn cobbets, loves to hold them and grind his teeth but you might have to wait till your bub has teeth before you try that one.My DS has been feeding himself for quite a while and still gags every now and again but it doesn't worry me cause I have realised he is very good and bringing the food that hasn't been suitable to swallow back up and he tries again. So go for it

[MissM86]

My DD is 7 months and has recently started on finger foods. I was very nervous as she has previously choked on mushy baby food. Very scary. Anyway, I have started with toast and homemade rusks. If too big a bit is 'sucked' off, I watch carefully and have been tempted to jump in there with my finger to pull it out but she has managed so far. I also offer lots of sips of water to sort of 'wash' her mouth out in between mouthfuls as I see bread etc build up in there.

Good luck!

[emsbubba]

My DD is 8 months has we have done a combination of mashed and baby led weaning from the start of solids. I find things like brocoli, half a carrot, pieces of potato etc steamed so they are not crunchy any more but not soft enough to become mash. My DD also loves chicken breast, hamburgers, pasta, sausages, toast, vegemite sandwiches etc. Ravoli was a big hit here too. It can be scary but it is how they learn so if you are worried wait until someone is home with you to help. I have found though that by taking the plunge and giving her things to eat herself she is great with food. She will give anything a go and I Onow have to consider what I am ordering when out so she can try some. Otherwise have you tried rusks? There is one called baby mum mum that says 12 months plus but are great for this age as they almost dissolve when bubs eats them. Something like that give them some practice until you are more confident.

[Lokum]

When they first try out play equipment it's nerve wracking. And riding a bike. Hell, when they first start walking they crash into things and fall down heaps as well.

But you have to give them the chance at some point, and 8 months is even getting late for finger food. The gag reflex is excellent and very effective. Just don't look anxious or worse, gasp when something looks stuck. You don't want baby to get nervous or gasp - then they really might inhale something.

I wouldn't cut food too small - it's hard to maneouvre and pickup if it's too little. Little rissoles, strips of chicken, fruit, veg, pasta, toast, rice cakes with hummus or avocado were all winners for us early on.

They get so much pleasure from the texture and handling it, you wouldn't want them to miss that. Same as us - I'd hate to be stuck on mash all the time.

[Pup-pup]

My 8mth old loves toast, pasta, meatballs, sausage, roast veges.

[Choufleur]

Chicken strips were a winner here and even at that age. DD didn't get her first tooth til 9 months and she had been eating finger food for ages.

The only thing she struggles with these days is beef strips as they're a bit tougher.

Good luck!

[sharkie81]

Most of the time when babies learn to eat finger foods, they are not choking, but gagging on foods which is perfectly normal.
A baby has a must stronger gag reflux and it is initiated when food touches the tongue much closer to the front of the mouth than adults.
Babies need to learn how to manipulate food in their mouths and gagging is part of this process.
Choking is when food has progressed into the airway and is completely different. You would almost certainly need to intervene in this instance.

I agree- let him have a go. Not having teeth is not a problem. Maybe start with softer strips of food and progress up form there. Enjoy!

[Logging out]

my DD is all gums too.. she will only eat finger foods she love strips of chicken and green beans