When your baby reaches 8 months of age, he is most likely ready for finger foods. Finger foods are foods that babies can pick up and eat by themselves. Since finger foods are small/bite-sized foods that are soft and diced, your little one won’t need their teeth to chew it. Your baby’s gum should be strong and have no trouble mashing the finger foods. However, it is important you look out for the signs that will tell you your little one is ready. Look out for these 5 signs:
- Bieng able to ‘chew’ using the gums to mash foods
- Having a pretty good pincer grasp (ability to grab and hold objects between thumb and fore finger)
- Being able to sit up without assistance
- Making chewing motion when eating thicker mashed foods
- Starting to lose interest in pureed/mashed foods
Introducing Finger Foods
Here are some finger foods your little one can try:
- Chopped raw soft fruits – melon, banana or avocado
- Cooked grains – rice, noodles or pasta
- Bread or toast (cut in strips)
- Cheese (cut into sticks)
- O-shaped cereal
- Teething crackers
Still Hungry? Here’s some more
8-month old babies can also start eating:
- Small bits of meat (well-cooked and boneless)
- Tofu
- Beans (well cooked) – lentils, split peas, pintos or black beans
- Mashed fruits – peaches or pears
- Cooked mashed vegetables – squash or sweet potato
- Iron-fortified cereals – barley, wheat or oats
- Egg (well-cooked)
