Finger food meals

Some children, who may have had unpleasant early feeding experiences such as vomiting and gastro-oesophageal reflux may be more sensitive to the progression from smooth puree to lumpy, more varied textures. They may be more accepting and motivated to explore finger foods or self-feed, possibly because they are more in control of what goes into their mouths. Finger feeding and the mess that goes with it is a very normal part of feeding development and will give positive opportunity for babies/children to explore the taste/smell/textures of different foods, as well as further develop their chewing skills. At this stage, many children start to reject being fed by an adult and prefer to do it themselves.

In order to progress to finger feeding, children will need to have developed good lip control and be progressing with their biting and chewing skills. They will also need to have good grasp and hand to mouth coordination.

Children can be offered a whole meal of finger foods or offered finger foods alongside some spoon fed meals, if they are still willing to accept these. Dips are a good way of introducing children to new foods. Remember to change only one thing at a time, texture or taste.

Children should always be supervised closely when finger feeding to avoid possible choking on un-chewed food pieces. Remember that children may also occasionally gag in response to a new food if it is an unfamiliar taste or a harder texture. This is a very, normal protective process to stop foods going down the wrong way. With increased food exposure and improvement in chewing skills, this will lessen over time.

Finger foods may include:

Dippers (foods which can be dipped into purees)

e.g.

• toast
• cooked/roasted vegetable fingers
• fruit
• breadsticks
• crackers
• biscuits
• cheese
• fish fingers

Dips (should be smooth in texture with no unexpected lumps)

e.g.

• hummus
• cheese spread
• garlic dip
• mashed avocado
• mushy peas
• fish paste/mousse
• ketchup
• chocolate sauce
• fromage frais
• fruit puree
• natural or flavoured yogurt
• crème fraiche
• curry sauce
• thick soup

Some other finger foods e.g.:

• frozen tubes of yogurt
• ice lollies
• stick ice creams
• meatballs
• fishballs/fish cakes
• tofu chunks
• grated cheese
• hoop type cereals
• pasta shapes
• pizza pieces
• vegetarian sausages
• falafel

Many of the bite and dissolve or soft chewable foods (see separate handouts) are ideal for finger feeding.

Menu ideas

Breakfast

• soft fruit pieces
• toast fingers with a range of spreads
• Hoop type or mini wheat type cereal (soaked in milk)
• Brioche, croissant.

Lunch/tea

• Toast or sandwiches with range of spread, such as tuna mayonnaise, hummus, marmite
• Corn snack crisps such as Pom bears, Wotsits, Quavers
• Soft vegetable pieces (steamed or roasted)
• Soft fruit pieces (fresh, tinned or frozen)
• Dried or hard fruit for example apricots, apple chunks, prunes – this can be stewed or cooked in the microwave so it retains its shape while making it softer
• Jacket potato pieces (children will probably suck out the potato, leaving the skin)
• Soft chips/potato faces
• Pasta – ravioli/stuffed tortellini, soft cooked pasta shapes, tinned pasta
• Baked beans, spaghetti hoops
• Soft boiled egg pieces/omelette pieces
• Soft pieces of slow cooked tender meats – such as chicken from casserole
• Fish cakes, fish fingers – often oven baking makes them softer than grilling

Contact

Email the paediatric feeding team (opens in a new tab)