Time for a food introduction? Starting to offer food to your baby can feel overwhelming. How do you start with finger foods? Which foods is it suitable for a baby? Here are my Best tips on what to consider when starting BLW or finger foods.
My best tips for starting BLW/plucked foods:
- Is the baby Ready for solid food?
Make sure your baby shows signs of being ready for solid foods. She should be able to sit up on her own in a chair and show an interest in food. She may reach for your food or look at your food with fascination. plate, then there is probably interest!
- The baby doesn't touch the food.
Give it time. Although the ability to eat on your own is something we are born with, introducing solid foods through self-feeding doesn't happen overnight. It's a process - from the first bite of food that your baby may barely touch, until your baby actually picks up the food and eats it. The process may feel long and bumpy, but it will be fine! Think of the first few days as a learning experience rather than a time for your baby to eat a lot. - The famous gag reflex
To you parents - stay calm even when it gets a little scary! Your baby will "gag" (also called "gagging" in English), that is when the gag reflex is triggered by food getting a little further back in their mouth. The risk of them choking is VERY small, but it can look scary. So keep your fingers away from their mouth and let them handle it. That's how they learn to handle food in their mouth and it's completely normal. However, it's easier said than done, I know. Therefore, it can be good and safe to read about the difference between gagging and choking, as well as what to do if the accident should happen.
- Foods to start with
Consider offering foods that are fairly soft but easy to grasp, such as sweet potato sticks, slices of liver pâté, cooked broccoli, porridge sticks or omelette/pancake in strips. Sandwiches with butter and/or liver pâté are also perfect for practicing motor skills. Slippery foods that are difficult to grasp can be rolled in seeds or sandwich crumbs. For example, avocado or banana. But in general, it is good to offer the baby what the rest of the family eats as often as possible.
- How do you serve finger food?
Think big/long pieces! Small babies don't have a tweezers grip so it's big pieces that apply in the beginning. The pieces should be longer than their palm because small babies (6 months) often can't open their palm on request. It may feel scary but it's actually safer with bigger pieces than smaller pieces when it's a small baby! If they take too big bites they spit it out again.
- Finger food for the whole family
Eat together as a family and offer the same foods that everyone else is eating as much as possible. This is important so that you can model for your baby how to eat. Let him see that you are eating the same food and that you put it in your mouth and chew it.
- Should I continue breastfeeding/giving formula?
Continue breastfeeding/giving formula for as long as the baby wants (if it works). This is important because the baby may not be getting as much food in the beginning (the first few months of solid food). But don't give it too close to a meal, as the baby will probably not be as interested in the food. A small baby shouldn't be ravenous when they are about to explore and eat solid food, but they shouldn't be full either.
Good luck!
/Elin Oresten
Lic.nutritionist
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