Feeding FAQ: 6-9 months – Weaning/Solids

What finger foods can I give to a 8-month-old baby with no teeth and a possible wheat allergy?

As my husband had a severe wheat intolerance as a child (almost fatal!), we waited until 9 months before introducing gluten to my older son’s diet, and will do the same with my 8-month-old baby. However, this restricts the finger foods we can give him. My older son (4 years old), was very slow to accept textured food, or lumps, and his brother is showing signs of going the same way. I’ve tried introducing fruit: pieces of banana, melon, raspberries etc, and he is very keen, but he invariably gags, often bringing everything back up. He has no teeth yet, which probably doesn’t help! So far, all he’s managed in terms of finger foods are rice cakes and gluten-free rusks. I do try to give home cooked meals where possible – he actually prefers them to the jars, which I mainly use when out and about, but these also need to be well pureed. I can’t give him toast or pasta yet; can you suggest any alternative finger foods for a baby with no teeth?
He is breast fed at 7am, 2.30pm and 6.30pm. He is offered formula in a cup with breakfast and water at lunchtime. He eats porridge with fruit at breakfast, a varied selection of protein dishes such as cottage pie, chicken with squash, apricot and carrot or sweet potato with beef and carrot. At tea he has root vegetables in “cheese” sauce, broccoli, cauliflower, potato and cheese and other vegetarian dishes.

The things you give your son as finger food should not only be easy for him to hold but also the right texture. He needs to be able to squash the food with his tongue. He does this by using his tongue against the roof of his mouth. You might need to try yourself with some foods to see how he will be able to cope.
As he eats a wide variety of vegetables in his meals, try offering a small selection to him before meals. Batons of carrot, parsnip and swede, small florets of broccoli and green beans can all be steamed and offered to him. It may take him a while to get used holding his food and using his tongue to squash it but if you try every day he will learn in time.
You could also try soft cheeses such as Babybel and soft cheddar, again cut into fingers.

Although you need to stand nearby in case of choking let him pick the pieces and place them in his mouth. He may well gag a little but as he obviously enjoys feeding himself, give him every chance to do so. If you don’t mind the mess you can let him try eating mashed potato as it is quite firm to pick up but soft enough in his mouth.