Finger Foods

I was getting concerned because Bear has shown almost no interest in eating spoonfuls of solids anymore so I did some research. For any of you with babies between 8-11 months, this is what I found:

"With her independence growing, she may also begin to show preferences for certain foods and refuse to be spoon fed . Take heart - this stage of baby feeding, while quite challenging, will soon pass."

Well thats reassuring! The site suggests letting your baby be the guide during this period. Let him eat when and what he wants and play when he wants. This can be frustrating, especially if you're both on a schedule but it will pass. After reading some of all this information and observing my son I came to the conclusion he is a lot happier with finger foods than a bowl of moosh. If your baby seems to like finger foods and self feeding as well, try some of these foods:

• Avocado - Get a very ripe one, run a knife around the whole avocado and break in two. Pull out the pit and use the knife to slice a grid in the "meat". Bring over to baby's tray, turn the avocado face down and push the skin with our thumbs. If the fruit is ripe the cubes will fall out onto the tray. Break apart any pieces that may be too big.
• Blueberries - I buy Wyman's Frozen Blueberries. They are nice and small and, unlike fresh blueberries, when they are thawed they are nice and squishy. I would not give fresh blueberries unless you halve them first.
• Red Grapes - Peel (yes time consuming) a few grapes and cut them into quarters. If you don't feel like peeling just cut the grapes in half and put in one of those mesh teething bags/rings.
• Any vegetable thats been steamed or baked until mushy. Just cut it up into soft chunks instead of mashing with a fork. Some suggested veggies, eggplant, carrots, zucchini, chick peas, sweet potatoes, etc. *make sure they are soft all the way through so they can me mashed up with baby's gums.
• Cheerios, puffs, animal crackers, graham crackers...

For those babies still willing to eat from a spoon try these yummy things:

• Baby yogurt and purees/canned peaches
• Ricotta cheese, pureed/cooked spinach and pureed/canned pears
• Avocado mushed with fork, cottage cheese
• Oatmeal with squished banana
• Pureed sweet potato with a pinch of cinnamon (1 tbs) mixed with enough breast milk or formula to be like a smoothy. Put in a bottle with cut nipple or cup.

That's all for now!

Goodnight,

PlusPeace