Baby Finger Foods

Moms are always confused about when to introduce finger food to their baby. There is no fixed time actually. The time varies for each baby, however, babies generally can be given finger food anytime after the 8th month. Some websites may suggest that it is fine to feed finger food when the baby is 6 months old, however, it is completely wrong as the baby shouldn't be fed anything except the mother's milk for the first six months.

Making baby food is quite easy if you know what to use and what not to. Some babies do not have teeth at the age of 8-9 months, that is why the baby finger food should be soft, easy to break and swallow or something that can melt in the mouth instantly. The following are such baby finger food suggestions for your help.

Baby Finger Food Ideas

Mashed Fruits Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp plain yogurt
• 1-2 tbsp baby oatmeal/porridge
• 1-2 tbsp fresh, ripe peach, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces
• ½ of a small banana

Process
This is one of the easiest recipes for finger foods for babies. All you have to do is mash the banana and yogurt together until well blended. When done, add in peach cubes and stir until well coated. Roll these coated cubes in oatmeal flakes so that it becomes easy to pick them, serve immediately. This finger food dish is appropriate for babies who are more than 6 months old.

Tofu Cubes

Ingredients

• 5-6 ½ - inch cubes of firm tofu
• 1-2 tbs of cereal (or 2-3 graham crackers)

Process
Place graham crackers or cereal in a zip lock bag and crush until fine crumbs are formed. Now add in tofu and shake lightly to coat so that tofu cubes and are crackers are mixed well. Serve immediately. This can be fed to babies who are more than 8 months old.

Chicken Patties

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp sunflower oil, for frying
• 2 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
• 50 g fresh wholemeal breadcrumbs
• ½ of a small onion (30 g)
• 1 tsp sunflower oil
• 3 tbsp apricot smoothie spread
• ½ tsp fresh thyme, chopped or pinch of dried thyme
• ½ medium egg beaten

Process
Heat 1 tsp oil in a skillet and sauté onions for about 4-5 minutes on medium heat, until soft. When done, transfer onions to a plate and let cool. Meanwhile, blend chicken thighs in a food processed until minced. Add the minced chicken to the onion bowl along with rest of the ingredients and mix well. Heat the remaining oil in a skillet and drop a spoonful of mixture onto it, press slightly and fry for about 2½ minutes on each side, until golden. This tasty dish is suitable for babies over 8 months.

Vegetable Nuggets

Ingredients

• 6 oz (1 ½ cups) Cheddar, grated
• 4 oz (1 cup) dry breadcrumbs
• 2 ½ tbsp olive oil
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• 2 ½ tbsp water
• 8 oz (1 cup) frozen broccoli florets

Process
Firstly preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Now cook the broccoli, drain after broccoli is thoroughly cooked, also chop and set aside. Add all the remaining ingredients to broccoli and combine well. Make small nugget shapes from the mixture and place on a lightly greased tray. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through. Transfer to wire racks to cool slightly. Serve warm.

These were some of the baby finger foods. Make it a habit of tasting any finger foods for babies before feeding them so that you know if there is anything wrong with it. I am sure your baby will love these finger foods and surely ask for more!