10 Finger Foods for Baby’s Food Journey

When it comes to feeding time for little ones, it can be a challenging journey. From knowing when to start, how many meals a day, what to expect, what you need to get started, to finding something that they will actually eat… it can be a little daunting! For all the thoughts that pop into your mind, our best advice would be to just take it one step at a time. To help you on your food journey, we’ve put together a few tips and suggested finger foods for you to explore together with your child.

How do I know if my baby is ready to start solids?

A food journey is a process of gradually introducing solid foods to a baby's diet while reducing the amount of breast milk or formula they consume. Here are some signs that your baby may be ready to start their food journey:

Your baby is around six months old and has good head and neck control.
Your baby is showing an interest in the food you're eating and may even try to grab it.
Your baby can sit up with support and has lost the tongue-thrust reflex, which means they can swallow food.
Your baby seems to be hungry even after getting a full feed of breast milk or formula.

It's important to note that every baby is different and may reach milestones differently. Some foods may need to be offered multiple times before a child decides if they like or dislike it. We encourage you to keep trying as children’s pallets keep changing as they grow. If you're unsure whether baby is ready to start weaning, consult your Maternal Health nurse, pediatrician, or lactation consultant.

10 Finger Foods that are easy to try

It is often not so much what you are presenting to them, but also how. Fussy eaters can make mealtime a struggle, but finger foods can be a lifesaver.

Apple Slices with Almond Butter: Slice apples and press them into little shapes with a cookie cutter. Serve with a side of almond butter for dipping, if your child has no nut allergies. The combination of sweet and nutty flavors is irresistible to kids.
Cheese cubes: A little stacking will encourage some sensory stimulation while snacking
Yogurt drops: Freezing tiny dollops of yogurt onto a lined baking pan or freezer tray makes for yummy fro-yo treats
Mini sandwiches: Cut into tiny triangles or shapes again will ensure even the toughest food critics are tempted to try these
Banana and Peanut Butter Roll-ups: Spread peanut butter on a whole wheat tortilla, place a banana in the center, and roll it up. Cut into bite-size pieces for a tasty and filling snack.
Baked Sweet Potato Fries: Cut sweet potatoes into fry shapes, toss with a little olive oil and salt, and bake in the oven until crispy. Serve with ketchup or hummus for dipping.
Mini Meatballs: Make mini meatballs with lean ground beef, turkey, or chicken and seasonings of your choice. Bake them in the oven and serve with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
Veggie Nuggets: Make veggie nuggets by blending together cooked veggies, breadcrumbs, and eggs to form a batter. Form into nugget shapes and bake until crispy. Serve with ketchup or ranch dressing.
Turkey and Cheese Roll-ups: Roll deli turkey and cheese together and cut them into bite-size pieces. This easy finger food is perfect for kids who love the taste of deli meat.
Avocado Toast Fingers: Spread mashed avocado on a slice of whole wheat bread, cut into finger-sized pieces, and serve. This nutrient-packed snack is perfect for picky eaters who need healthy fats in their diet.

Here’s what makes our list of finger foods a win

Babies love them!
These finger foods are easy to pick up and grasp by tiny hands which makes them more manageable for your little ones to eat.
Preparation time is minimal and quick making mealtime virtually effortless which is great for any mum with a busy lifestyle.
If you’re an on-the-go mum, these meals are terrific to take along with you in a tiny snack holder on your daily trips when you go shopping or to the park.
It’s a great way to entice kids to try new foods and encourage independence at mealtimes without utensils.

Tips that can help in your food journey

Learning to eat is MESSY! Embrace the mess and the process. Invest in a messy mat to sit underneath your highchair for easy clean up and bibs to help protect clothing (and catch some of the mess!)
Be creative with your presentations! Make a face, animal, or rocket out of your veggies or fruit to lighten the approach to eating.
Get your little one involved in the kitchen and meal prep early on. It creates an easy association between what they have made and what they are eating
Cut food into age-appropriate sizes to reduce the risk of choking and is easy to pick. Things that are easy to pick up are going to be easier for your child to eat.
From a safety perspective, if you are concerned about choking hazards, attending a Baby First Aid course is always a good thing. Chocking is a serious risk for children as they learn to eat. Consider taking a First Aid course in child safety. Check your local states.
Being prepared also creates confidence. Set yourself up with the right equipment. If you don’t have a weaning spoon, Sippy cup or a highchair, now might a good time to invest.

What should I look for in a highchair

Highchairs can make meal times easier to manage. Choose a high chair that checks all the boxes for you. Look for a highchair that perfectly fits your space, is versatile, harnessed, has adjustable feet support, and is compact, that way you have something that is stylish and aesthetically pleasing with your decor but also a functional highchair that offers safety, versatility, and functionality.

Exploring the Moa Highchair

The unique and adaptable new Moa 8 -in-1 highchair is the perfect feeding friend. It's not just any old feeding chair; it's a multi-use highchair designed for much more than feeding times!

So it’s a highchair, but what else can it do?

Besides the exceptional multifunctionality, it has great space-saving features as it easily converts from a feeding chair to a booster seat, to a seat at the table. It grows with your child and can be used over the length of their first 5 years. With 8 different styles to choose from, you can change it up to suit your child's needs from feeding to drawing, to sitting down for a little story time reading or block building to arts and crafts with mummy.

The Moa highchair offers a great reach distance from the seating position to the tray for babies to easily pick up their finger foods.

Discovering the Minla Highchair

The Minla 6-in-1 Highchair is full of possibilities.

With its five reclining positions, four tray positions, and nine different heights, your child can use it as an infant seat, highchair, or booster seat with a tray.

What's unique about this highchair?

The Minla highchair has been cleverly designed to make every mealtime easier. It’s the only highchair parents need until their little one turns six years old.

All the options are there for you to have your child right beside you at the table or anywhere else in the house. Minla perfectly adapts with your child as they grow. The Minla is compact and offers an easy to store features.

A modern 6-in-1 highchair to be used from birth up to 6 years of age.

Being prepared always takes a little bit of time and patience. The introduction to food, flavours and textures is a joyful journey that could help with bonding and making playful memories with your children. With our list of finger foods and helpful tips you now have great options for all children. With the Moa highchair, mealtime has never been easier. Are you ready to give these finger foods a try and enjoy stress-free mealtimes with your little ones?