starting finger foods

[zacsmum]

Just wondering if there are any tricks to getting your baby to start self-feeding finger foods (eg small pieces of cooked veges, soft fruit pieces).  I have started to give these to my 9mo and he seems a bit confused about what to do with them, so I have been guiding his hand into his mouth, but obviously would like him to be able to do it himself.

Can anyone help?

[JulieInChicago]

Hopefully someone has some good suggestions!  My son turns 9 mos next week and still isn't pinching finger foods yet.  He gets his pacifier into his mouth fine now but just isn't even trying to feed himself.  I try to guide him but he gets so frustrated!

[HeckedyPeg]

My son was a little confused at first too, but I just kept making them available while spoon feeding him, and he just figured it out. DS does love to put any and everything in his mouth though, so that was just a natural step for him. Maybe you could model for them, eat the food yourself with your hands and they will get the idea. Good luck!

[Magali]

 I think if you just let him play around with the food he'll figure it out. 

[porttack]

"Baby-Led Weaning" suggests sitting LO at the table so he can watch you put things into your own mouth and then he will want to copy. Also to not guide the food in for them, just let him observe and he will do it. He is not starving, so it's alright if he doesn't get all that food in. Just what I've read, about to enter this stage with DS.