It's perfectly understandable to worry about your baby choking when they're trying to eat solid foods. It may be reassuring to know that studies show there isn't an increased risk of choking compared to babies who were fed finger foods. Teething biscuits and small pieces of lightly toasted bread are another great starter finger food, since they soften quickly. Just note that some breads can turn gummy and stick in baby's mouth; lightly toast the bread and cut into very small pieces to avoid a choking hazard.

Once your baby is a pro at eating soft mashed foods, they may be ready to move on to finger foods around 8 months. They have the dexterity to pick the food up and release it or mash it, and will become more efficient and independent as they master the pincer grip around 9 months.

Cut meat and poultry across the grain, and into tiny fingertip-sized pieces. Food pieces should be no larger than one-half inch in any direction. If in doubt, cut food into smaller pieces. We want them to self-feed. Or perhaps lower exposure to the finger foods lead to more choking because the babies hadn't as much practice early on when gag reflex is more sensitive. A good reason to introduce finger foods from the start, whether you use purees or not!

Potential Choking Hazards for Young Children:

• Cooked or raw whole corn kernels.
• Uncut cherry or grape tomatoes.
• Pieces of hard raw vegetables or fruit, such as raw carrots or apples.
• Whole pieces of canned fruit.
• Uncut grapes, berries, cherries, or melon balls.
• Uncooked dried vegetables or fruit, such as raisins.

According to a 2008 study, the 10 foods that pose the highest choking hazards for young children are hot dogs, peanuts, carrots, boned chicken, candy, meat, popcorn, fish with bones, sunflower seeds and apples. Children under age 5 are at greatest risk for choking injury and death. Toys, household items and foods can all be a choking hazard. The most common cause of nonfatal choking in young children is food.

Warning Signs that Your Infant is Choking:

1. The baby's lips and/or skin turn blue.
2. The baby can't cry or make noise.
3. The baby can't breathe, or has to make an effort to breathe. 
4. The baby appears panicked or troubled, and may wave their arms.
5. The infant loses consciousness or goes limp.

Treating children from choking:

1. Stand behind the child. 
2. Make a fist with one hand, thumb side in. 
3. Grab your fist with the other hand.
4. Press into the abdomen with a quick upward push. 
5. Repeat this inward and upward thrust until the piece of food or object comes out.

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With spoon-feeding purees, there is little concern that the infant will choke on the foods offered. With BLW however, the infant is self-regulating the amount of food they put in their mouths while also learning how much of that food they can safely swallow when self-fed.

Contrary to popular opinion, your baby does not need a single tooth in order to eat finger foods, just as long as the food is diced into small enough pieces and is soft enough for his gums to mash. Check out all the best deals with our baby food processor in our store now!