Finger Foods

Maternal and Child Program Finger Foods

What is finger feeding? How do I start to introduce Finger feeding is an important step in your child’s finger foods? growth and development. Finger feeding teaches • Start with foods that are large enough for your your child to eat on their own. Meal and snack baby to grab. times are not only a time to provide your child • Choose foods that become soft in the mouth and with nutrition, but are also a time to learn. These that your baby can chew or gum easily. are times when your child can explore new and interesting textures, taste new foods and practice • Finger foods can be family foods cut up into hand-to-mouth coordination. smaller pieces. This allows your baby to be a part of family meals. When can I start to introduce finger foods? Most healthy babies are ready to feed themselves by about 8 to 12 months old. Your baby is ready for finger foods when she can: • Sit securely in the highchair and • Pick up things and bring them to her mouth.

But, it gets messy! What should I do? Expect a mess when your child is learning to finger feed. You may be tempted to give your child lots of help to make the meal tidier and quicker, but allow your child to practice this new skill on their own. • Have a washcloth nearby to clean up spills and sticky hands after the meal. • Make sure you child is sitting upright - this is the safest place for your child to eat and can help prevent choking. • Sit and eat your meals and snacks at the same time. Setting a good example is one of the best ways to teach healthy eating habits.

VEGETABLES & FRUITS • Ripe banana, peach, kiwi, mango, papaya, melon or avocado • Apple or pear, unsweetened from a can or cooked soft and peeled • Cooked or steamed carrot sliced length-wise, sweet potato, broccoli • Baked vegetable sticks (carrots, yam, sweet potato, zucchini) • French fries, sweet potato fries • Ripe avocado cubes

GRAIN PRODUCTS • Dry whole wheat toast sticks, roti, chapatti or pita • Unsalted whole grain crackers • Cooked macaroni, pasta or rice, macaroni and cheese • O-shaped cereal such as Cheerios® or Nutrios® • Cereal biscuits such as Farley Biscuit® or Baby Mum Mum®, Digestive Cookies, Arrowroot cookies • Pieces of matzo ball • Mini muffins • Pieces of pancakes or waffles • French toast cut into slices (bread dipped in a beaten egg and then fried) • Grilled cheese sandwiches, cut into thin slices • Mini toasted Bagels

MILK & ALTERNATIVES • Grated cheese

MEAT & ALTERNATIVES • Cooked ground chicken, beef or pork, mini meatball, meatloaf • Cooked or canned flaked fish • Cooked or canned beans or lentils • Chopped hard-cooked eggs, scrambled eggs • Tofu cubes • Fish sticks • Baked chicken nuggets • Cut up “all natural”-type hot dogs • Baked beans • Mini omelettes or quiche

Page 2 Humber River Hospital What finger foods can I offer my toddler (from 12 to 24 months of age)? Toddlers love to be independent. Letting children feed themselves allows them to take control of their eating. Finger feeding is a great way to get a child to eat more variety. You can try any of the finger food ideas for baby or the additional options below.

VEGETABLES & FRUITS • Thin slices of fruit such as apple, pear or avocado • Raspberries or sliced strawberries • Mandarin orange sections • Grapes cut in half (or cut into quarters, if grapes are large) • Thin strips of soft raw vegetables, peeled, such as cucumber or tomato • Cooked vegetables, such as broccoli, carrot, potato or cauliflower

GRAIN PRODUCTS • Whole wheat toast, cut into fun shapes with a cookie cutter • Dry cereal such as Corn Bran® or Shreddies® • A sandwich, cut into quarters • Perogies

MILK & ALTERNATIVES • Cheese cubes such as mozzarella, Swiss or cheddar

MEAT & ALTERNATIVES • Meat cut in cubes or strips (stewed meat is moister and may be easier to chew) • Small pieces of meat loaf or mini meatballs • Homemade chicken fingers, nuggets or fish sticks • Flaked tuna or salmon • Cooked or canned kidney or white beans • Pieces of scrambled eggs, omelette, deviled eggs

Humber River Hospital Page 3 What If my toddler needs extra nutrition? Some toddlers need extra nutrition to help them grow. Here are some ways to help. • Try meat or cheese filled pasta, such as ravioli or tortellini • Try hummus spread (chickpea spread) • Blend meat into tomato sauce • Add ground beef, turkey or chicken to pasta sauce • Add cream to curried meat or vegetables • Add a beaten egg to soup or noodles • Add whipping cream (35% MF) to scrambled eggs or yogurt • Make a milkshake with homogenized (whole or 3.25%) milk, ice cream and avocado or frozen fruit • Add beans to soups or casseroles • Make your own pizza on pita bread or bagel. Be sure to add cooked ground meat and cheese for extra protein • Try omelette and cheese on English muffin bread • Try mini bagel with high fat cream cheese spread • Give raisin bread French toast • Add shredded high fat cheese to anything.

For more information, please contact: Humber River Hospital Telehealth Ontario Health Canada Maternal and Child Program Speak with a dietitian. Tel: (613) 957-2991 Web: http://www.hrh.ca Toll-free: 1 (866) 797-0000 Toll-free: 1 (866) 225-0709 Registered Dietitian Unlock Food Email: [email protected] Tel: (416) 242-1000 ext. 45113 Web: https://www.unlockfood.ca Web: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca Paediatric Nutrition Clinic Paediatric Outpatient Clinics Tel: (416) 242-1000 ext. 21400

The information provided in this handout is for educational purposes. It does not replace the advice or specific instructions from your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat. If you have questions about your own care, please speak with your healthcare provider.

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