Parenting Tips for Your 9 Month Old Baby
Does your baby hold most foods while eating? Does he drink from a cup with a little help? Does he hold and lick the spoon after it is dipped into food?
These are the first steps in learning how to eat by himself. You can help your baby practice by giving him some of the following finger foods:
- Dry, unsweetened, round and puffed cereals
- Small pieces of soft, mild cheese
- Cooked vegetable strips or slices (carrots, peas, green or waxed beans, zucchini, or sweet potatoes)
- Peeled, soft fruit wedges or slices (bananas, peaches, pears, plums, avocados, or melons). Be sure they will “mush" easily in your baby’s mouth.
- Cottage cheese, shredded cheese, and small pieces of soft tofu
You should not put seasonings in your baby's food. Although you may find your baby's foods bland or tasteless, he likes it that way.
Your baby can now eat most of the things you cook for the rest of the family. Just take out his food before you add salt or other seasonings for the rest of the family.
Praise your baby while he is feeding himself, even if he is very messy. If the mess really bothers you, spread some newspapers or a plastic tablecloth under your baby's chair to catch food that he drops.
