Finger food 7 month old

[foldingtowels]

Hi,

My baby is nearly 7 months. He is ready for finger food but I'm not sure what to give him.

He has been eating puréed pouches and jars for a few months now but he just wants to hold everything and do it himself.

I am terrified he will choke. Have tried a few things like baby wafers and sometimes he's fine but other times he gags really bad and I panic.

What's the best foods to start with?

I have read toast cut into finger strips but if a big bit breaks in his mouth he will choke and that terrifies me.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Mine have never had pouches/jars, I just cut whatever we have up small - toast, veg and fruit, cheese, cooked meat, breadsticks. He will gag, that's normal but you need to recognise the difference with choking. It's so much better to feed themselves whole foods. Choking and gagging on food - Start for Life - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Do a child first aid course - my DD BLWed from the start, no purées and never choked but I knew what to do if she did which reduced any anxiety I had.

At 6 months she was having marmite on toast fingers, toast with hummus, apple slices, broccoli spears (lightly
steamed), breadsticks, rice cakes, porridge, yogurt, chicken strips, carrot sticks (lightly steamed), baby corn, strawberries, raspberries, pasta twists. Basically anything she could easily pick up or would stick to a spoon. She had 4 teeth by 5 months so was reasonably successful
at biting not just swallowing.

She sat with us while we ate from very small so could copy us with chewing.

Ooh, I forgot about cheese. She had cheese too.

Honestly, they'll be fine

Have a read of the difference between gagging and choking.

Watch this video from the British Red Cross

And have a read of the finger food section of this guide from the Caroline Walker Trust.

And take plenty of photos

I feel exactly the same! My baby is happy to chomp on cucumber ( big slices) but he can't bite off big bits. However he loves strawberry but the more he munches the smaller the strawberry get ( obviously!! ) and then I worry its choking size!

Download the solid starts app. Its tells you what foods are good starter foods and how to prepare for each age. I found it really helpful!
And advice from PP is all helpful stuff too re: choking etc. honestly he will be fine as long as your sensible which I am sure you will be!!

How are you both getting on @foldingtowels?