https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 06 May 2026 07:48:27 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1309359 Tue, 31 Dec 2013 07:19:53 +0000 Adira 1309359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SugarplumsMom: Thanks! I really should try roasted sweet potato because he LOVES the sweet potato purees - maybe that would be a good starter finger food for him since I already know he loves the flavor.</p> <p>@Greentea: haha, that's how Xander was with the purees to start too! It took him about a month and a half to really start liking them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1309015 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 21:35:56 +0000 Greentea 1309015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is funny because I just started purees with LO and when she touches them she looks totally disgusted! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308964 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 21:14:11 +0000 ALV91711 1308964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: He reaches for my food and sometimes screams at it as well. Happy screeches of give me some!</p> <p>Try making some batches of food on the weekend for him and freezing it so during the week you have things ready to go. Isaac loves roasted veggies with olive oil and thyme, so I make about three days worth at a time for him.</p> <p>A lot of the finger food ends up on the floor but that is ok. He eats purees. I always offer just the finger food first and if he isn't wanting to eat it or when he is seaming done with it then I give him purees to eat. This way at least he plays with the food a bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308834 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 20:21:09 +0000 SugarplumsMom 1308834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: roasted veggies worked really, really well for us at that stage. Especially sweet potatoes and carrots. I found that baking them in huge batches over the weekend, separating them in smaller portions, then freezing them works best. They freeze so well! </p> <p>DD preferred carrots in strips - they were big enough to hold and when roasted, soft enough so gnawing isn't a problem. With sweet potatoes, I leave them in round strips and she takes them however since they're so sweet and soft when roasted. With DD, I just scattered a few pieces on her high chair and she eventually got interested. Picking some up and eating them myself helped.</p> <p>I remember how difficult it was for us when we first started weaning. DD also has a diary allergy. She was also allergic to wheat and still allergic to eggs (although tests show there's an improvement). Having to cook special meals is tough, but big batches and freezing really made it more manageable for me :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308528 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 17:29:26 +0000 looch 1308528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: if you are stressed, he'll eventually pick up on it. I wouldn't worry that he is behind at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308294 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:51:32 +0000 immabeetoo 1308294@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @locavore_mama: - the more wound up you get about what he should be doing, and try to force it, the less interested he's going to be. Just keep offering different things and not forcing/sneaking it on him and he will gain interest. I've never met a 4 year old who slurps purees. </p> <p>I will say my LO is MOST interested in new things if he can filch them off my plate/the counter, as opposed to being 'given them' and agree with PP that eating things with/in front of him might help. Also making sure its food that you would want to eat -- my LO likes spiced meals/table foods best over bland "baby" foods. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308272 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:42:07 +0000 Adira 1308272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@butterbean: Oh, interesting! I'm nervous about giving Xander anything that's too hard like that because I'm not sure he really gets how to chew yet!</p> <p>@sotofamilia: I plan to nurse as long as I can, but I'm not sure I can continue to pump at work past Xander's 1st birthday...</p> <p>@littlecasita1122: Thanks! That makes me feel better!! And yes! If he EVER actually eats anything, I'm going to make a HUGE deal about how happy and proud I am!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308268 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:39:58 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 1308268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm more of the "food before one is just for fun" group, and kept that mentality when my daughter was learning to eat. She spit out a lot of food. I had to keep in mind that texture is a big thing to infants, since their whole diet was comprised of liquid up to this point. We also made sure that we fed her when we ate, so she could get used to watching us eat. Good luck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308266 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:38:08 +0000 littlecasita1122 1308266@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO didn't start getting into more table food until right before he was a year old, so don't feel like he's behind! And my LO STILL eats purees sometimes - he likes the pureed carrots better than steamed carrots lately and since he's fighting me on veggies, I figured pureed is better than nothing! My LO's doctor is big on just offering things every day and being consistent with it. So even though my LO used to love peas a few months ago, now he hates them - but his doctor still wants me to offer them a few times a week because who knows, he might start eating them again. </p> <p>Lately I've been working with my LO on using a spoon on his own and it's a struggle. I hate the mess and I wish he would just get the hang of it faster, but we're hanging in there :) I've noticed that he will try using the spoon more after I clap my hands and encourage him with a "good job!!". Maybe after your LO tries to eat a puff, acknowledge it right away with lots of encouragement? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308265 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:37:21 +0000 sotofamilia 1308265@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Good luck! I know it's easier said than done.</p> <p>So do you think you'll nurse/pump past a year now that Xander is allergic to dairy? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308264 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:37:21 +0000 butterbean 1308264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: we steam the frozen veggies and we'll let it "cool" for a few minutes... i'm not sure if there's any science behind the size/shape of food but i remember we gave our LO cheese, he wouldn't touch it...and then we decided to cut them in the shape of puffs and he started picking them up and putting them in his mouth (we used string cheese and cut them into discs - if that makes sense)...now we just give him the cheese in chunks...lol...</p> <p>i know your LO has a milk allergy so giving him cheese in the shape of puffs wouldn't work but hopefully you get the idea... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308256 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:34:31 +0000 Adira 1308256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@edelweiss: I'll have to ask my daycare what they do for finger foods and snacks. My daycare actually provides food, but I'll have to be really careful about what they offer him since he's allergic to milk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308250 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:33:21 +0000 Adira 1308250@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BKCaribBaby: Thanks girlfriend! I'm jealous your LO will eat the chunkier purees - Xander looks at me like I tried to poison him whenever I offer him any! And it's definitely hard because he eats two meals at daycare and only one at home (except on the weekends), so it is hard to introduce things!</p> <p>@ALV91711: How can you tell he wants what you're having? Xander will stay at my food, but if I put it on his tray, he doesn't want anything to do with it! He's all "Oh, that's food? Nevermind!" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308248 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:32:05 +0000 edelweiss 1308248@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>my LO (11.5 months old) has a bit of a texture issue also--he does well with really soft things, like roasted pears, apples, and sweet potatoes, but spits out a lot of other stuff. </p> <p>one thing that i think helped with the transition to finger foods was that daycare would sit him down with the other kids during snack and mealtime, so he got to see the other babies eat. it was actually daycare that suggested to me that i stop sending in purees and just let him have at the finger food. i'm not saying don't let him have purees at daycare if he isn't eating the finger food at all, but maybe ask daycare if they could let him practice with the finger food next to other babies, in addition to the purees? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308242 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:29:55 +0000 ALV91711 1308242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I give Isaac his own spoon at meal times or else he wants the one I feeding him with. He will even feed himself a few bites if I put food on it. </p> <p>As for the finger foods just keep offering. Try different things and eventually he'll eat it. Cut up fruits and veggies and share a plate with him. Isaac loves eating what I have so at lunch we usually share some fruit. Or today I had to share my muffin! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308241 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:29:51 +0000 BKCaribBaby 1308241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Sometimes I think we have the same kid. :) </p> <p>My LO just turned 9 months though, and she still seems more interested in playing with the food than eating it. She eats chunkier purees and other foods like salmon (her new fave), but she doesn't seem to get that she needs to pick it up and put it in her mouth. She does like chunkier food though. I have not tried to eat with her, but she often eats her meals with her babysitter while I'm at work including a dinner before I get home as well. I think I will try to encourage her babysitter to have her eat more finger foods. I'm definitely going to try this weekend. You're not alone at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308239 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:29:25 +0000 Adira 1308239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Just to clarify, I don't think Xander is actually stressed about eating. I'm the only one that is, and only because I'm worried about him being behind where he should be. He seems perfectly happy eating his purees! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308236 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:28:02 +0000 Adira 1308236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sotofamilia: Yeah, I definitely want us to all eat dinner as a family, and we started doing that when we first started feeding Xander, but then Hubs got swamped at work and he started getting home later and later, and now I feed Xander dinner as soon as we get home from daycare. I'm probably going to need to be better at making quick 30 minute healthy meals so that I can feed us all at a reasonable time (assuming Hubs stops working so darn late all the time)! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308232 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:27:35 +0000 looch 1308232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: well, you can either continue to do what you're doing and possibly make eating a stressful situation for both you and your son, or you change something, like preparing meals that are fit for your son to eat.</p> <p>I don't think it takes that much more effort, you just have to plan. I get it, I work full time as well, I don't have a ton of time to prepare everything from scratch, but I know what I can handle during the work week. It doesn't have to be pasta every night! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308230 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:25:56 +0000 Adira 1308230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@butterbean: Did you microwave (or some other way warm) the carrots for him to be easy to eat? I wonder if the size/shape matters... I've tried both baby carrot spears and cubed carrots, but maybe I need to try something more "fun"?? I need to just remind myself that he'll EVENTUALLY get it. He won't go to college eating baby food, haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308228 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:24:32 +0000 sotofamilia 1308228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: oh I totally understand, believe me. Cooking fresh nutritious food is like the holy grail for me....I'm always kind of jealous of moms who seem to have it together with food. There are definitely nights when I make something fast and then steam some broccoli or peas and call it a dinner. I imagine having a kid with special dietary needs would make it extra challenging!</p> <p>But Xander will eventually eat dinner with you, right? So it might be worth trying out some dairy free meals, maybe on the weekend....and definitely try to eat your dinner in front of him if you can. I leave my guy in his high chair even if he doesn't eat much. I figure at least he's watching me, so he'll get the idea. But I know, as a fellow working mom, it's really hard to fit everything in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308219 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:21:42 +0000 butterbean 1308219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: don't worry! hang in there...your little guy will eventually enjoy eating finger foods...we started a little late transitioning him to table foods...we first started with puffs and he had no problem stuffing those in his mouth...</p> <p>it takes a whole lot of patience and some level of creativity to get my LO to eat finger foods (sometimes we'll feed him a couple of pieces)...we started with frozen cubed carrots but he wasn't having any of that and then we introduced the frozen crinkle cut carrots, which he likes...so maybe try different shapes/sizes? his "diet" consists of mainly veggies, then protein and fruit would probably be the least consumed (I'm working on that) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308213 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:19:08 +0000 Adira 1308213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sotofamilia: Thanks! It's always helpful to know my baby isn't the only one who's slow to pick up on things. And I know that I need to start eating a more Xander-friendly diet... it's just HARD because we work full-time and get home late and I just want to make something EASY and that's usually pasta, haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308208 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:16:01 +0000 regberadaisy 1308208@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: I don't remember honestly. I would just give her a spoon while I fed her to get her used to it. She did bang a lot in the beginning and quickly caught on. </p> <p>I agree with @sotofamilia: that maybe you need to adjust how you cook so he can eat more of what you eat. Your life will be a lot easier when he starts solids too! When M started solids we were still dairy free, both of us. When you cook from a scratch that is very easy to achieve. We had no issues with both of us eating everything. Minus pizza, etc ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308205 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:12:17 +0000 sotofamilia 1308205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: I have a friend whose daughter would only eat purees until 11 months and then started eating finger foods. If it makes you feel any better, my almost 11-month old just started picking up food a little in the past couple days. We still feed him by spoon most of the time. </p> <p>I had a seperate problem but also related to solids, where my guy would never eat purees, like even when we started. I posted on here and a lot of people recommended feeding him what we eat, which worked like a charm. I just started cooking more of what I wanted him to eat, like more veggies, and gave up on the idea of purees.</p> <p>Maybe it's worth trying to cook more dairy and potentially wheat free so he sees you eating the same food that he's suppposed to be eating so he gets the idea? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308204 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:11:53 +0000 Adira 1308204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: At what age was she able to handle actual utensils? Xander tries to steal the spoon from me when I'm feeding him, but it seems to be just so he can use it as a drumstick and bang on his highchair tray!</p> <p>@Freckles: That's a good idea! I'll have to try less slimy items - maybe that's what's bothering him about a lot of the things I give him! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308197 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:08:40 +0000 Freckles 1308197@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Some kids don't take to texture very well, so i wouldn't worry too much!</p> <p>How about foods that aren't so slimy? Cut up blueberries, peas, cut up grapes? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308195 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:07:54 +0000 regberadaisy 1308195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it were me. I would have him sit with us at the table at every meal. Offer a few items and see what happens. </p> <p>A few things that works with M she much prefers adult utensils versus baby utensils. She eats better using our silverware versus plastic baby utensils. She has never been a fan of bit sized pieces. She prefers to pull of strips off a big chunk. But she is very good at managing sizes when eating and not over filling her mouth. So I might not recommend that for a baby unfamiliar with real food. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308190 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:05:21 +0000 Adira 1308190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Yes, some, but not usually because I haven't changed Hubs and my diet at all yet and I think a lot of what we eat contains milk, plus Xander MIGHT be allergic to wheat, so I'm wary to give him almost anything I'm eating except straight-up fruits and veggies and meat! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-baby-to-eat-finger-foods#post-1308183 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:03:21 +0000 looch 1308183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you tried giving him what you're eating? </p>