Key takeaways: Babies can start soft finger foods when they can sit with support and bring food to their mouth, often around 6 months. Early finger foods should be soft enough to squish between your fingers and cut into long strips your baby can grasp. As the pincer grasp develops (around 9 to 12 months), offer small, soft, bite-sized pieces. Always supervise and avoid known choking hazards.
Finger foods help babies practice chewing, coordination, and independence.
Around 6 to 8 Months
Babies grab with their whole hand. Offer soft foods in long strips, about the length of your finger:
- Ripe avocado slices.
- Banana spears.
- Soft-cooked sweet potato or carrot sticks.
- Well-cooked strips of egg omelet.
- Soft-cooked strips of meat or chicken (shredded or very tender).
- Toast strips with a thin spread of nut butter (thinned, never thick globs).
Squish test: you should be able to mash the food between your thumb and finger.
Around 9 to 12 Months
Babies develop a pincer grasp. Offer small, soft pieces (about pea- to chickpea-sized):
- Small pieces of soft fruit.
- Cooked pasta.
- Diced soft-cooked vegetables.
- Shredded cheese or small soft cheese pieces.
- Beans, smashed or halved.
- Small pieces of tender meat or fish.
- Scrambled eggs.
From the author
From First Breath to First Birthday is my month-by-month guide to your baby’s first year, written as a NICU and postpartum nurse. My book follows feeding all the way through the first year, including when and how to start solids, month by month.
Foods to Avoid or Modify (Choking Hazards)
- Whole grapes, cherry tomatoes, and blueberries: cut into quarters lengthwise.
- Whole nuts and seeds.
- Popcorn.
- Hard raw vegetables and fruits: cook until soft or grate.
- Hot dogs: cut lengthwise and into small pieces, or avoid.
- Chunks of meat or cheese.
- Globs of nut butter.
- Hard candy, gum, marshmallows.
Safety Rules
- Always supervise and stay within reach.
- Seat your baby upright in a high chair.
- No eating in cars, strollers, or while crawling.
- Learn infant choking first aid and CPR.
Gagging Is Normal
Gagging is a protective reflex as babies learn. Choking is silent and requires immediate action.
The Bottom Line
Start with soft, long strips around 6 months and move to small soft pieces as your baby develops a pincer grasp. Supervise and avoid choking hazards.
Want more support for your baby’s first year? My book, From First Breath to First Birthday, is available on Amazon.
Related Articles
- Healthy Snacks for Older Babies
- Foods to Avoid in the First Year (Honey, Juice, and More)
- Introducing Meat to Your Baby
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Choking prevention; finger foods. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infant and toddler nutrition: choking hazards. https://www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition
- Committee on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention. Prevention of choking among children. Pediatrics. 2010;125(3):601-607.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
