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Between 7 and 9 months of age, your little one will graduate from all things pureed to finger foods -- the first step toward independent eating. While it's exciting to graduate from those tiny jars and other mushy items, as your baby takes more control, be prepared for meal times to take longer and be a whole lot messier. The good news: there's more than Cheerios to offer, provided you're mindful of your baby's safety.

Experts agree that by 9 months, most babies are ready to start eating finger foods. You'll know it's time when your baby can sit well and starts swiping at your veggie wrap or reaching for her spoon in an attempt to feed herself....

Between 7 and 9 months of age, your little one will graduate from all things pureed to finger foods -- the first step toward independent eating. While it's exciting to graduate from those tiny jars and other mushy items, as your baby takes more control, be prepared for meal times to take longer and be a whole lot messier. The good news: there's more than Cheerios to offer, provided you're mindful of your baby's safety.

Experts agree that by 9 months, most babies are ready to start eating finger foods. You'll know it's time when your baby can sit well and starts swiping at your veggie wrap or reaching for her spoon in an attempt to feed herself.

Expect finesse to come with time and practice. At first, he'll simply be able to grasp and gum -- that is, hold and make a gooey mess of a lightly toasted bagel or rice cake. But by 9 months, most have developed the pincer grip -- the lobster claw-like fine motor skill that allows them to pick up pea-sized items with the thumb and forefinger. This milestone opens a world of edible options; it also means you have to be as vigilant as Madeline's Miss Clavelle to keep her safe from choking.

Baby's menu should consist of foods that are soft, gum-able, or will melt quickly in the mouth (try it yourself), offered in non-round pieces less than one-half inch in size (think pea- or marble-sized). You may be used to eating on the run but for your baby, this is a recipe for disaster, so only offer foods when she's sitting down safely. Start by putting four or five pieces on her baby dish or high chair tray. If she finishes these, you can always offer more.

The American Academy of Pediatrics warns caregivers to keep the following foods -- all prime choking hazards -- off limits until children are at least 4 years old:

• hot dogs
• nuts and seeds
• chunks of meat or cheese
• whole grapes (peel and cut into halves or fourths)
• hard, gooey, or sticky candy
• popcorn
• chunks of peanut butter
• raw vegetables
• raisins and other dried fruits
• chewing gum

Fear not, this leaves you plenty of room to explore. Here are a few fun, healthy foods to offer in baby-safe pieces:

• lightly toasted whole wheat bagels or bread
• crackers, rice cakes, and oat circle and puffed low-sugar cereals (do the melt test in your mouth first to make sure they dissolve quickly)
• soft cheeses, such as cottage cheese or shredded mozzarella or havarti
• tofu
• ripe, soft fruits, such as avocado, peach, apricot, melon (remove watermelon seeds), and mango; baked apple or pear cubes
• well-cooked bits of green bean, sweet potato, broccoli florets, carrots, cauliflower florets, and peas (crush or cut in half)
• well-cooked pasta, shredded chicken (no chunks), scrambled egg yolks (no whites yet)
• French toast or whole wheat pancakes made with egg yolks

Safety Notes

• When it comes to choking, your baby is not the only one to watch. Keep a sharp eye on big brother or sister, who may slip baby a potentially hazardous "treat."
• When you serve a finger food that's new to your baby, be on the lookout for an allergic reaction. Try new foods in isolation, leaving a few days to one week for signs of allergy to show up. Don't offer whole eggs, citrus fruits, fish and seafood, nuts and nutbutters, and honey.

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