Baby Finger Foods

[nmlove]

My little one's starting in on finger foods. We've been going VERY slowly introducing purees. She's gluten-free. We had her genetically tested and she is positive for a celiac gene. She has tummy issues and reflux issues without bringing in gluten! She can't have dairy or soy either.

So my question is this, does anyone have a suggestion for what to roll finger foods in that would be gluten-free and make it easier for her to pick-up? I was thinking of looking at a puffed rice cereal (that's just rice) but wasn't sure if it'd grind down enough. I'm staying away from corn for awhile too. Right now, the grains she has had are rice, millet, buckwheat, gluten-free oats. Another idea, one I'd have to wait for, was to use ground flaxseed. What do you all think?

[Wolicki]

Hmmm. Forgive my question, but why do you plan to roll her food? I just gave my kids their food on their high chair trays, they picked it up and ate it. Does she have dexterity issues?

I hope this doesn't sound like a ridiculous question, I just haven't ever heard of this being done

[RiceGuy]

I think I understand what you mean. For example, cooked (and therefor soft) carrots can be quite slippery. So can moist pieces of melon or other fruits. Or are you putting oil or something on them?

I don't know if it's really a big issue. I mean, so it takes the little one a bit longer to grasp them - that'd certainly help develop dexterity, wouldn't it?

All the ideas I have on this subject would result in a dry coating, and might make the poor kid gag. So I hesitate to offer such suggestions. Purees can be finger food, like mashed potatoes, squashes, or the traditional Hawaiian Poi. Messier for sure, but at that age, this can equate to fun

[TrillumHunter]

It is mostly about practicing the pincer grasp at this time, right? It isn't so much about nutrition as you'll still be feeding her most of the time.

It also takes them a long time to do this which will allow you to eat a whole meal without hurrying.

I would think any powder on the foods might cause a textural issue, not to mention a gummy mess on her tray after a short while.

But if you decide to try this, I think the puffed cereal would crush up fine. There may even be enough powder at the bottom to try with at first.

Babies are so funny when they try to feed themselves! I love when they find something they really like and shove it in by the handfuls. Enjoy her!

[tarnalberry]

The other trouble you run into if you coat the foods (I don't think I'd like to eat them this way, to be honest) is that rather than introducing one food at a time, you've got two foods going on. IF you are doing one food at a time (not yet mixing them), it would be an issue. If you're not, no problem.

[nmlove]

Hey thanks, most of the foods I wasn't going to roll but just a few that she likes but is hard to pick up. Like peaches, pears, avocado. I know it's more about the skill than the nutrition. My boys were content with shoveling the purees down until closer to one but she's doing it her own way of course and wants to help herself. I think I'll be doing mostly thicker mashed foods or grated foods. She seemed to enjoy playing with her grated carrots and smooshed peas tonight.

Wolicki - no issues, just working on her grasp. I only did it before (with my sons) on very slippery items.

[momofk&n]

Though I didn't crush them, I used Baby Num-Nums. They are rice rusk wafers for babies that taste like a rice crisp cereal and they say gluten free on the box. They will crush well if you want, or make a great little snack. My kids liked having one with a little cream cheese on it if we were caught out without a snack when they were older.