Finger food preparation help please

[NewYearsRacerLution]

I'm offering DD veg fingers at lunchtimes and have found it easiest to steam a few pieces in the microwave for about 2 mins (as instructed in some weaning book or other, poss NCT) but they can tend to come out a bit chewy. I don't use this method for our veg so I'm a bit unfamiliar on timings. Is it just trial and error or is microwaving always going to come up with rubbish results?

mmm. i like carrot sticks done in the microwave for 2 mins, although ours is 900W so you could try another 30 secs if yours is a different power? could also try adding a bit of water, or a bit less?

mine is 850w I think. have added enough water to cover the base of the weaning bowl up to about half a cm

Microwaving is never great IMO. Why not cook some veg for the week in a pan and reheat in the microwave?

I don't have a microwave, but I haven't found steaming/boiling in a minimal amount of water on the hob to be too much of a hassle - the pan ends up cleanish anyway so it doesn't add much to the washing up - and you have a bit more control over the end result IMO.

Another vote for the "manual method" here too!

And another - I don't like microwaved veg myself, much prefer to boil or steam, so that's what I did for dd.

Ok, you have convinced me! I'll try making up a batch and reheating (though I thought reheating might make it go soggy anyway but I guess at least one batch will be fresh!)

Thanks!

I have another question so I thought I'd tag it on here. Fruit is the slippiest thing known to man - how do I make it easier for DD to clutch onto a wedge of pear, banana etc. Any tips? Any products? I thought I once saw a stick thing with a handle for putting fruit on but can't find it now.

She isn't even keen for me to help her guide the food in - as far as she's concerned she knows what she is doing, which is fair enough but the fruit just keeps slipping out when it gets near her mouth and I feel quite sorry for her!

Think slippy fruit is just on of those things they have to learn. Otherwise what about wedging it onto a plastic fork?

Good idea - can you get chunky, safe forks? I'll have a look next time I'm out. Thanks.

We always gave ds chunks of apple & pear with the skin still on to make them easier to grip - not something I would recommend for all babies - but for us it worked well & ds was very good at dealing with the peel - he would simply mush the piece up in his mouth & spit out the peel. He did have the occasional cough or gag but as we only gave him food when we ate we were always nearby just in case. As it turned out we never had to take any action at all - by the time we had stood up & reached over to him the peel appeared on his high chair tray!

Yes you can get little fork and spoon sets with specially shaped handles which are easy to grip for LOs. You will probably end up investing in these anyway when it comes time for her to feed herself.