How and when do you introduce finger foods?

[Debprins]

I am confused about when to introduce fingr foods. I was thinking by about 7 months i could try problem is how do you know they are ready also my lo gags on lumpier food already so surely she wouldnt be able to eat "real" food. I am trying to introduce a snack to cut out a bottle in the future(From 4 to3 ) But I am just so confused. She will chew on a teething rusk And i steamed some fingers of carrots which she had a lot of fun playing with but I would appreciate some guideline son this :?
Thanks!

[Katet]

Debbie
I wouldn't be cutting out a milk feed before at least 9mo - they still need that high amount of calcium over & above other foods & I think you have to go on what she is ready for.

Aiden NEVER gagged on anything & wanted  to self feed (refused to be fed by me or dh) from about 8mo... so I learnt how to make every thing into "finger food" on the opposite end his godmothers little girl 1yo last month, still gags alot & is hopeless with many finger foods & not great at self feeding. Like everything else you kind of have to go with when they are ready

[hana1978]

Dropping a milk feed is ok at 7 months aslong as you offer milk puddings, yohurt and cheese etc.  I found mashing the food so it had more consistency but no lumps helped - then gradually pulse it less and less.  Start by offering soft cooked veg or fruit once shes happy eating mashed food, im sure most of it will end up on the floor to begin with but you gotta start somewhere  :lol:

[Susie-Q]

I think you can only go by your child's cues.  Jack is now 9 months.  At 8 months, we introduced the gerber melt inyour mouth puffs (only half a puff at first mind you).  Now he loves the gerber vegetable crackers that I break up into 4 pieces.  He also likes goldfish.  Right now he's all about things that crunch.  Because if I give him bits of sweet potato or soft carrot or anything at all that is soft, he spits it right back out and gags as soon as it's in his mouth.  But give him some vegetable crackers and he'll just be on a mission to pick them up and get them in his mouth.  What can you do?? I'll just keep offering the soft foods until he figures it out ....

[tylersmommy]

As Kate said, I wouldn't be cutting back on bottles until at least 9 mo (waiting until 1 yr is even better). Formula or breastmilk should continue to be your LO's main source of nutrition for a few more months. They're both higher in fat and more nutritionally complete than any combination of solid foods.

We started trying cheerios with Tyler around 8 or 9 mo. I'd put a half of one in my mouth or in some water first to soften it, then I'd put it in his mouth. He gagged the first few times, but did fine once he got used to it. After that, I'd keep a few out on his tray for him to play with and try to pick up. Good luck!

[Debprins]

Thanks for the advice I really dont think shes ready I have tried the next stage of foods, mashed A little chunkier than pureed and she gagged and went bright red. I dont want to rush anything but also dont want to hold her back.

[hayes]

HI! My Lo is having similiar problems.  Tonight he was gagging on the meltable stars.  Let me know if things get better and I will do the same.  I tried some toast and he sucked a large piece off and gagged on it.  Won't do that again for a while.

[Debprins]

Hi hayes, I did the same toast thing.. She will chew a teething rusk but any lumps in her food she acts as if shes eaten poison!

[hayes]

Okay ladies.  How are your Lo's doing with eating solids and finger foods.  We had a full day strike here the other day for all solids, got right back into gear the next day and today Ben refused one solid feeling with very tight closed lips. 
What types of finger foods are you doing these days?

[notenoughshelfspace]

I am joining in on this as well. Mine gags all the time; she is wierd actually she is fine with baby pasta but anything else, rice, cous cous etc..  makes her sick. She does not like putting things in her mouth in general. She is 7 months old now and we are nowhere close to eating finger food. I give her meltabale stars, cheese, steamed veg in her tray but so far nothing has gone in her mouth and if i put it in she gags.............  AAAAAAAAAAAh!

[hayes]

Had some problems again today with solids.  Ben really likes yogurt.  DH was trying to get him to eat some veggies this morning and he refused.  But when he tried yogurt his mouth was ready to go.  So... DH did a tricky one type of spoon and then the other type.  Ben caught on toward the end.  THink that yogurt is going to be out for a while.  We do the stars as well and at times the gag reflux kicks in on those too Just makes me worried thinking that he may never want to eat anything besides very well pureed things.  I put a banana on his tray and he played with it.  I will try some steamed veggies and see what he thinks.  Fill you in on the results.

[notenoughshelfspace]

So with you; it probably will not happen but I also worry she will not like anything put really mushed up foods. Steamed veg did not really work for me I am trying banana today. She will not put anything in her mouth!!!!!!!!! :twisted:  :twisted:  :twisted:

[hayes]

No steamed veggies here yet.  Put a half of a banana on the highchair tray.  Part of it was all mashed up and the other part was whole.  He liked playing with the banana for a while managed to get very little in his mouth.  HUGE mess.  I think part of the problem with Ben is that he is having teething issues.  i made a very large amount of brocolli and he isn't into it at all.  I am going to continue to try to have him eat it...Have you tried the meltable stars yet, I think they are by Gerber.

[notenoughshelfspace]

Yes, I soaked them in water first though. Broccoli is excellent if mixed with sweet potato by the way or pumpkin, mine loves it that way. On the finger food issue; I have just come back from the ped. he told me it was too soon to expect her to eat finger food  ( 9 months is what he said) and as for the gagging she apparently has a very small throat and will perhaps not even be ready for lumpy food as soon as other children, Oh well.