Finger foods for Baby w/no Teeth?

I only know as much as my 8-month old has taught me, so sorry I can't offer toddler food suggestions. Thinking about this made me realize you ladies might have some insight on what I can feed my daughter Alena. She has no teeth but is at the stage where she insists on grabbing the spoon/bowl to feed herself. I need food large enough for her to successfully bring to her mouth, that won't be a choking hazard. We've not yet had luck with her being willing to eat cheerios, well-cooked broccoli stalks, cut up bananas or sweet potatoes (too mushy!). I might try tofu, small pieces of cheese and egg whites. I realize this could be a phase where Alena merely needs to explore the texture of food in her hand but I want to make sure she actually consumes something! Any other ideas?

Food, glorious food

Hi, mamas.
I'm still in need of toddler meal and snack ideas if anyone has any to share. (Ahem, Eliza, Mo, and April. You've btdt, so c'mon, help a sister out!)
In the meantime, for what it's worth, I'll post some snacks Maya likes that are decently nutritious:
-Avocado spread on Saltines
-Cinnamon toast
-Graham crackers with yogurt to dip them in
-Quesadillas with salsa for dipping (she really, really, really likes to dip)


-Maureen

Ideas needed

Hi, Mamas.
I could use some new lunch ideas for the days I'm home with Maya. I usually make something that the two of us can split, but I feel limited by Maya's lack of teeth! She doesn't have her molars yet (just four teeth up top, in the front, and two on the bottom), so it's not like I can feed her, you know, half of a turkey sandwich, for example. I've been doing quesadillas, pasta, leftovers from the previous night's dinner (when there are some)---and that's about it. We have quesadillas waaaaaayyy too often. What else is softish and nutritious? Tracy gave me a good chili recipe that her daughter (Lucy, 18 months today) likes. I'll try that soon.
But what else?
Thanks in advance...
-Maureen

Re: Debbie Downer

I was suprised like you about this issue. I learned about it 2 years ago...a long time in my opinion from 1999. The Fire Marshall at UCLA gave me an article because he knew I had a baby...well at the time she was no longer taking a bottle and I was freaked out about the time that she had...it is important to note that it is not just bottles but sippy cups as well, anything made of plastic including containers we might drink out of. I can't remember all the details of the article but what I do remember is that the risk is less if the plastic is not worn and in good condition since the chemical is released as a part of the plastic breaking down and that colored plastics are not part of the issue? it is just the clear ones please correct me if I am wrong....the process it takes to make plastic clear is the problem -- also some clear plastics are not made with the chemical so you may want to look at your brand and see before you buy and replace. I read something recently that warned against microwaving food in plastic containers or covered with plastic wrap because chemicals are released from the plastic into our food. I now heat everything in my own ceramic dishes with a papertowel covering to avoid splatter.
-April

Debbie Downer

Hi there, C2CMs. This might not be the happiest way to kick off a brand-new blog, but I wanted to post this because it seems pretty important. Last week I read this Salon.com article about a "hormone disrupting" chemical found in polycarbonate baby bottles (and other polycarbonate products), and I've been a little freaked out ever since. I've had Maya on Dr. Brown's bottles forever, and they're made of polycarbonate.
The science behind the Salon report is controversial, apparently, and there seems to be quite a bit of disagreement among various experts about how potentially dangerous the chemical (bisphenol-A) is. However, I ended up ordering new, glass bottles for Maya anyway from a company called Born Free. They should be arriving soon.
What kills me is that when I googled "bisphenol-A" after reading the Salon piece, I found all sorts of articles from the media on this subject dating back to 1999. So, has everyone else known about this issue for years? Where have I been?
-Maureen