How big should I make finger foods?

Aisham28 · June 2013

I think I am a little paranoid about these things but I am not sure how big to make em. Like for peas I take them out of the shell and mash them up some before I give him to her. Would she be able to eat a whole one on its own without doctoring it up at all? She is 9 months has 2 teeth. Her top 2 are just starting to come in as well. I read recipes for pasta and I think do I actually give her the whole elbow macaroni or should I half em. And like how big do I dice fruit!? I am so clueless. What sizes do you make your finger foods?

Cdienst · June 2013

Im just as paranoid as you are but Ive figured out that I can test everything on her. I still puree almost all of her food still but Im working on growing courage for instance: I gave her toast for the first time yesterday, no crusts just lil tiny pieces of the middle lightly buttered and she didnt gag once! She chews her lil puffs just fine without them being soaked in water or even cut so Im sure your lo will be fine with teeny bits of food like peas without cutting them extra small.

Other finger foods she eats:

organic bananas cut into pea sizes

baby mum mums

shredded cheese

pea sized pieces of avocado

MooOink · June 2013

I'm also unsure of how big he can eat on his own. I feel a blueberry is still too large, but a pea is good. It depends on the food also. He can eat a whole handful of puffs at once, I'm taking 6 at a time haha, but I would be hesitant to give him a roll and let him fill his mouth because it might clump up and choke him.

Just gradually try bigger pieces.

allardr · June 2013

Don't worry I'm paranoid to an extent too. One thing I've noticed is bananas for instance she can handle larger pieces since it's slimy & gooey, but pasta is dry so it's a little tougher for her to get down.
I definitely give her whole peas, but sometimes I'll half the elbow pasta. Just try it out.

pb_bride · June 2013

DS is 7 months and we've been doing finger foods for about a week so far. At the beginning, he gagged A LOT. And I really mean A LOT. but never choked, and he always coughed the food back out.

We aren't BLW, but the finger foods we offer are size of my pinkie mostly. Since DS doesn't have pincer grasp yet, the pinkie-sized foods are easiest for him to mitten-grasp. We've done broccoli spears, steamed carrots, roasted sweet potato wedges, chicken thighs, bagel smeared with cheese, strawberries (I quarter), banana (about 1" sliced lengthwise in half), peach slices (best if left the peel on for easy grasping; DS managed to gum the meat off and spit out the peel), pasta (whole rotini), soba noodles (he mastered the art of slurping noodles!), and even sauteed spinach.

Give it a try and you'll be surprised how resourceful these LOs are if they put their mind into eating. The main no-nos are things that resemble the size of whole grape, or whole hot dogs that can cause choking.

JaZavitz · June 2013

MooOink:
I'm also unsure of how big he can eat on his own. I feel a blueberry is still too large, but a pea is good. It depends on the food also. He can eat a whole handful of puffs at once, I'm taking 6 at a time haha, but I would be hesitant to give him a roll and let him fill his mouth because it might clump up and choke him. Just gradually try bigger pieces.

I agree with this post!
Blueberry is to big (I cut DS2s blueberries into 4 pieces) but I give him whole peas. I also think she was right when she said to just gradually try bigger pieces, that's what I always do.

Don't feel silly cutting things small, its better to give him things that are too small than to big!

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