i'v got a 10month old and i'd like to start her on finger foods so i cut up slices of apple for her today. she chewed a hunk off and i pried it out of her mouth as i'm terrified of her choking.
when did you guys start on things like that and is it safe for her to be gumming off chunks?
thanks!
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Why not start with softer finger food so they get used to gumming their food up and you don't worry about them choking?
Fish fingers, chicken nuggets, mashed potato, potato chips..roasted pumpkin, cooked broccoli, soft cooked baby carrots, soft any vegetable etc etc....
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I agree with Dimac - softer foods that are not so "crunchy" will be better. Can you child eat cheerios? Does he do that? Peas, carrots, are all good starters. Also foods that melt - like cheerios and these japanese rice crackers...they can stick them in their mouths and they melt instantly.
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I wouldn't suggest any processed snack foods at this stage of their lives if you can avoid it - rots their incoming teeth and sets up bad habits for later - bread sticks are are a good alternative to cheerios and rice crackers. You do need to consider the nutritional elements - although my suggestions of fish fingers and chicken nugeets are not that fabulous for nutritional content if you buy from the store- both of these items can be homemade.
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in Aust paediatricians advise against hard foods like apple/carrot/nuts/hard lollies etc until 3 years of age due to the risk of choking. Cooked or grated apple/carrot is OK.
Good early finger foods include ripe banana, cooked veg like pumpkin/sweat potato/brocolli. Any foods which soften with saliva and need minimal chewing.
From an Aust child and youth health reference book - finger foods can be started from 8-12 months depending when your child is ready (they start turning their head from the spoon and want to grab food). Suggested foods at this stage - bread/toast fingers, well cooked veg, soft fruit (mangos/bananas etc), grated cheese or soft cheese slices.
Be prepared for a mess and never leave her alone when eating. Also recommended that they sit down and do not walk/crawl around with food.
A very useful (although Aust) website www.cyh.com.au
Hope this helps
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There's also a device (I got it from Eugene Club) that you can put a slice of fruit or vegetable that the baby can suck on without choking b/c it's like a little net over the fruit, but held like a teether. It's pretty cute, but doesn't last long b/c I find it gets stained after multiple uses, then I feel it's unclean no matter how I wash it. But use it for a month, the baby is older, it's another story all over again.
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Babies and toddlers must always be supervised when eating due to possible choking.
Hard fruits and vegetable like apples and carrots can be served soft cooked or grated.
Well Baby Clinic - 2849 1500
Matilda International Hospital
Hong kong
http://www.matilda.org
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