Finger Foods
Based on content from JOHNSON'S® Everyday Babycare: Feeding Your Baby, DK Publishing, Inc., 2004.
Gaining Independence
Between the ages of seven and nine months your baby will be building up to three regular meals a day with two or three snacks in between. He'll now be sitting up on his own for extended periods, and he'll be keen to get more involved in feeding himself. Letting him have a spoon of his own will encourage him - as will offering him finger foods.
While you prepare his meals, remember to keep chatting to him about his food, what you are doing, and how well he is doing.
Invest in plenty of bibs and a mess mat! Playing with food - touching it, pulling it apart, even throwing it -is perfectly normal. It's best not to worry too much about how much food ends up on your baby and on the floor as opposed to how much food actually reaches his mouth. Your baby will eat when he's hungry, and your role is to keep mealtimes as healthy, happy and relaxed as possible. You can keep null handy, or use any JOHNSON'S® cleanser, for a quick and easy wipe-up of your messy baby. If food gets in his hair and he gets especially messy, you can give him a bath. Try using a moisturizing baby wash when bathing him, such as JOHNSON'S® Moisture Care Baby Wash, to help moisturize and gently clean his skin with that classic, baby-fresh scent. For his hair, use a gentle shampoo specially formulated for babies, such as JOHNSON'S® Baby Shampoo. It's as gentle to your baby's eyes as pure water and has the unique NO MORE TEARS® formula.
Introducing More Texture
Between seven and nine months, the range of foods your baby can eat will gradually increase and you can start introducing lumpier food so he can develop his chewing skills. He'll still use his gums to chew for a while yet so don't imagine he'll be able to cope with a steak - even if his first teeth have appeared! Instead, mash rather than puree his meals using a fork or potato masher. Softer food that's suitable for eating with fingers, such as bread or pasta, can be left whole. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby does not seem to accept foods that are more textured. Be sure to avoid hot dogs, raw carrots and peanuts as these can cause your baby to choke.
Getting Started
Most babies are ready for finger foods by about seven months. For a while yet, your baby will hold the food in his fist and work hard to push in the last mouthful using the flat of his hand. Over the next few months, however, he'll start to pick up things using his thumb and forefinger, a skill called the pincer grasp.In time this will allow him to pick up tiny pieces of food such as raisins or peas. Always stay close - never leave your baby alone at mealtimes.
A Comprehensive Guide
For a complete guide to introducing finger foods, including information on which foods to begin with and which to avoid, as well as additional tips and expert advice on feeding your baby, click here to download content from "JOHNSON'S® Everyday Babycare: Feeding Your Baby from DK Publishing Inc.
