#Feeding: 10 finger foods your baby will love

Finger foods aid hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Let your baby enjoy the independence of eating by himself with these ideas.

Melon fingers Peas Steamed carrots sticks Cooked broccoli florets Cooked macaroni Avocado slices Slices of boiled egg Slices of cheese Shredded chicken Small chunks of ripe, peeled nectarines

WILL IT WORK AS A FINGER FOOD?

Nine months is usually the time to give your baby finger foods because he’s developed the coordination, and if you want to explore your own ideas, go for it. Go through this checklist to make sure it’s suitable:

• CAN IT BE GUMMED? Remember, Baby has little or no teeth, so food should be soft enough to chew with his gums. Cook hard foods to ensure this.

• IS IT NATURALLY SOFT? Some cheese and fruits are perfect to be gummed because of their texture but are still solid enough to be held.

• IS IT CRUMBLY? Go for crackers or breads that flake easily or melt in the mouth to avoid choking.

• IS IT SMALL ENOUGH? Cut food into bitesized pieces to fit into your baby’s mouth. ●