Size of finger foods

[Doj]

This may seem like a strange question, but what size should finger foods be?
My lo is 9 mths old and we have been on mostly pureed foods with the addition of Cheerios and cottage cheese as sample finger foods. She seems to do well with the Cheerios and is very slow with the cottage cheese. Its time that I introduce more finger foods (veggies, fruit and meat) to her, but I am so paranoid of her chocking that I am not sure how large or small the pieces should be.
I have read that foods should be cubed, but I would think that is a chocking hazard.
Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance

[RyansMum]

Hiya, I started with soft finger foods such as cubes of chedder cheese, sliced up banana, but also rusks and Heinz Biscotti are good finger foods as they melt down very quickly. I cut toast into soliders (about 4 to a piece of toast) that was very easy to eat and suck for my lo!  I just kinda guessed at the size, anything I thought my lo could handle well.  I also cooked up fingers of veg to soften them and my lo was ok with those. (Courgette, carrots, sweet potato, potatoes) Also small pasta shapes (the ones they use for soups) mixed with tomato sauce, very easy to eat but very messy!! lol!

Hope that helps!

[Doj]

Thanks, with regards to the cubes how big would they be? I think of cubes a being a chocking hazard, but I have read many places that you cut things up into cubes

[RyansMum]

Hiya

I would cut a slab of cheese and then cut that up into about 4 pieces (cubes).  I would say each cube was about 1in square approx.  But I did use very soft cheddar cheese that he could bite and suck on.  Also I got shapes from the local supermarket that are just for kids (ducks, teddies etc) made of very soft cheddar and they can't be no bigger than 2ins long and about 1.5ins wide.

Hope that helps!!

[tiki_mama]

If you're worried just start small and work up. Your DD will pick up on your anxiety if you are constantly worried about her choking and that won't help. I was exactly the same with my DD when I first gave her finger food, but now she chews stuff really well and even though she occassionaly coughs and splutters she can handle most of thefoods I give he

I find that breaking off bits of banana is better than slicing as you your LO can get a better grip on even small 'chunks'. Slices are pretty slimy and stick to the table!  try little slices of cheese rather than cubes to begin with, even if you have to put them into your DD's hand.
Melt some cheese onto a slice of bread and then cut into very thin strips and then cut these into little bits of less than 1 inch. It's quite an easy thing for them to get hold off and the bread tends to be pretty soft cause of the oil from the cheese (just make sure to avoid crusts and in the beginning any bread with seeds etc)

Don't rush it and try to relax, so your LO is relaxed too. Also, make sure that they have emptied their mouth before you give them the next piece of food as babies have a habit of storing food like hamsters! lol

[Doj]

Thanks so much for your responses

[Peek-a-boo]

I'm having this trouble too!  I'm so scared of him choking that I haven't given my 8 month old any finger food.  He puts EVERYTHING else in his mouth, so it seems like it would be good for him, but I'm scared.   

[tiki_mama]

it is scary at first. when they gag your heart goes into your mouth and you think oh no! thing is providing you give them soft and small pieces of food they will either just swallow it, or spit it back up. hopefully they will just surprise you and have a good old chew!

My advice is not to rush it. start small, even putting little bits into their mouth to get them used to the texture. cheese, soft fruit, bits of rice cracker or if you have access to any 'puffs'. in the U.S i hear people talking about gerbers and in the uk 'organix' do great carrot puffs with absolutely no salt, sugar or additives

also just to put your mind at ease make sure you do know what to do in an emergency! 

[SylvieA]

All I can say is box grater. Grate some cheese, apples or anything gratable. It is a good way to start with small pieces of finger food until they are used to it.

[RyansMum]

How have you got on Doj??

[hynoki]

I started my 6.5 month old on a slice of bread cut up in 16 pieces, and this seemed the right size to start with. Now at 7.5 months, I cut it into 4 long strips, and he picks up the strips from a plate, "bites" off pieces while holding the rest in hand.

Here we also have mini rice cakes about 4cm in diameter, size works well as its small enough to hold well but too big to stuff into mouth all at once.
 

[Doj]

Things are going well. I am still nervous and watch her like a hawk when she is eating. I have my CPR book in the kitchen with me.
I give her cottage cheese strained(melts right in her mouth), small pieces of banana, and last night i gave her small pieces of cut up carrots. I only add 1 piece at a time to her tray as she wants to put everything in her mouth at once. She has gagged a couple of times and yes my heart beats so fast, but I am taking it slow and realizing this is an important part of her eating.

[tiki_mama]

good for you! it'll get easier for you as it gets easier for your DD. It is an important part of her development so well done for giving her the chance to gain some independence 

[RyansMum]

Glad to hear things are going well!  Also besides there being the temptation for little ones to stuff everything in their mouths a big plate of food can be off putting to them.  I always give my lo his breakfast in drips and drabs so as to not overwhelm him!  Dinner is a different story though, he just loves to get stuck in lol!!