Baby's First Finger Foods

What: Baby cereal "puffs" or O-shaped cerealTip: The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests buying baby-specific cereals with the extra nutrients your baby needs.

What: Diced bananas

Tip: Cut bananas into small pieces so little mouths won't choke. Other soft, ripe fruits are also safe as you start feeding your child solid foods.

What: Cooked, diced sweet potatoTip: Babies naturally like sweeter veggies like sweet potatoes. KidsHealth.org lists a tip for serving vegetables: Steam or bake them instead of boiling to retain more of the nutrients.

What: Cubes of avocado
Tip: The soft texture of avocado makes it a perfect snack while your little one is still learning to chew. Cut the avocado into small cubes before serving.

What: Soft chicken or meat
Tip: Pick soft chicken or meat. Puree it; when your baby is 12 months or older, you can serve her small chunks of meat.

What: Dices of very ripe peaches or pears
Tip: Dice very ripe peaches or pears before handing them to baby.

What: Diced tofu
Tip: Dice tofu into small squares, but remember not to force it if your baby won't eat certain foods. MayoClinic.com suggests trying repeatedly -- the exposure will help you introduce a variety of foods into baby's diet.

What: Cubes of soft, whole-grain bread
Tip: Take slices of whole-grain bread, cut them into cubes, and get rid of those hard crusts.

What: Small, cooked pastaTip: Small pasta noodles like spirals or macaroni should be well cooked. Parents can start introducing pasta during a baby's fifth or sixth month.

What: Chopped, hard-boiled egg
Tip: The American Academy of Pediatrics says there's no evidence that avoiding eggs during early childhood will prevent a food allergy, so go ahead and chop a hard-boiled egg into small pieces for your baby.

What: Plain graham crackers
Tip: Break crackers into small pieces so they're easy for your baby to eat.

What: Small pieces of vegetable casserole
Tip: Start with pasta and add marinara sauce and a vegetable or two, such as chopped broccoli and asparagus.