What is "normal" timeframe for finger food refusal?

[katemom]

I'm starting to get concerned that my lo, who is now 7.5 months old, is not interested in finger foods.  He'll put anything else in his mouth to chomp on, whether it's a toy, or a no-no item, but with food, he'll only play with it.  It doesn't ever go in his mouth, and if I try to put stuff in his mouth, he clams up.  I'll continue offering stuff, and try to keep everything low pressure, but I'm just wondering how long can this go on and still be "normal?"  Should I be more concerned? 

thanks, katemom

[anna*]

My LO didn't start to feed himself finger foods with any consistency until he was something like 10 months. Playing with it is fine at this stage.

[Peek-a-boo]

My DS was simlar to Annas.  It was partly because I was so paranoid of choking that I was offering tiny little pieces of solids that were hard to manage.  With DD, I've been offering stick shaped food that she can pick up with her fist and have a chunk sticking out the top of her fist.  The chews on that exposed end and eats a lot this way--banana spears, roasted carrot and sweet potato sticks are big hits.

[shinysarah]

Sorry to jump on this thread but, peekaboo what was the first finger food you offered and how did you do it??  I only ask as Im totally paranoid about lo choking!!!!

[bennysmama]

Hello, just lurking a litttle...

[Mrs Coops]

Hi
I've jumped in too!
My LO is nearly 25 weeks, started her on BLW a week ago. She was offered half a small banana first. The whole lot got squished, shoved in her mouth and sucked on. Toast is a winner. She sucks off big chunks and swallows, no choking. A few days ago she had roast carrot and parsnip, same again, sucked to death with no choking. She has gagged a little but that is normal until she learns how far to shove it in!
  Her poo has already shown the evidence with bits of carrot and seeds from the bread appearing!!
  Choking always looks and sounds worse as babies seem to make a drama out of it. As long as they are making coughing/ choking noises you don't need to step in, they can usually do it themselves. If they are very quiet, then you need to assist as that is a true blockage.

x x x

[shinysarah]

 ;DThank you!!!!! x

[Peek-a-boo]

I offered sweet potatoes first.  I cut them in the shape of french fries. I put them in the oven in a pan with just a little water and kept checking them until they seemed the right texture--soft enough that I could smoosh them with my tongue against the roof of my mouth--but firm enough that they didn't just crumble when DD grabbed them.

Then I did carrots the same way.

Bananas I break in half first.  Then I stick my thumb into the center of the banana and push down.  This causes the banana to break (length wise) into 3 natural segments.  These segments are not nearly so slippery as if you cut the banana with a knife, so they are easy for baby to pick up and hold while chewing on the other end. 

HTH

[shinysarah]

Thank you for the tips! Think I'll give it a go!

[katemom]

Well I'm glad I'm not alone in this!

I tried some large banana parts (because yes, I do agree that choking stress has steered my choice in food bits), but unfortunately he's still not too interested in putting it in his mouth (playing with it YES). 

But he did finally put a wagon wheel in his mouth, so maybe that was less intimidating?  It's the first food he's put in his mouth, so yes, I'm celebrating!  I think it will just take time for each new item, he seems to be a bit more timid than my first child, who still to this day will eat anything with reckless abandon, often not even bothering to chew before swallowing.

Anyway, good luck to everyone, and thanks for the replies!

katemom

[LucySol]

ROFL at the wagon wheel Katemom-they are huge! think that would cover my dd face!