While you’re feeding your baby, your baby may be feeding the floor! Most babies don't learn how to use a spoon well until after their first birthday. If your baby is interested, now is a good time to begin letting your baby practice using a spoon. Here are some foods that will stick to the spoon when scooped up: yogurt, applesauce, cooked cereal (oatmeal, cream of rice, or cream of wheat), cottage cheese, macaroni and cheese, mashed cooked beans, mashed sweet potatoes, pureed or mashed vegetables and fruits. If you are worried about your baby not getting enough food, try two spoons—one for you and one for him. If he will let you, give him a mouthful in between his efforts. Include finger foods with your baby's meals. Although your baby may not be good at using a spoon yet, she likes to feed herself. Having some finger foods at mealtime gives your baby some easy foods to eat while learning to use this new tool. Good finger foods are unsweetened round cereal and cereal puffs; cooked vegetable strips or slices (carrot, green beans, and potato); peeled, soft fruit wedges or slices (peach, pear, melon); small, tender pieces of cooked and ground or shredded meat.

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