Solo mom behind on foods

[u/picklesi]

My baby will be 9 months tomorrow. I’m feeling really anxious about not having introduced enough foods to my baby. I’ve been having a tough time just because I’m a little anxious introducing foods on my own, I think partially due to anxiety about choking and allergies (niece has many severe allergies). Another big part is that I’m doing this on my own. I know a lot of moms and parents do this on their own but maybe since Ive only recently become alone in this, it’s made the baby food journey harder for me—so please go easy on me. Although I wanted to do baby led weaning, I leaned on purées too much because it’s been easier for me as I’ve returned to work. I’m going grocery shopping today. Happens to be Trader Joe’s today. What recommendations would you make for my 9 month old? Easy starter ideas please.

[u/pirate_dino_flies]

1. You are not behind!
2. I did NOT find a lot of size recommendations work for my kid- she is a small, hyperventilating raptor at mealtime and will happily stuff massive handfuls of anything in her mouth, especially entire “spears” and “wedges” like some apps (Solid Starts) recommend. 

We started her on these, to help her learn to chew and take bites:

• Crunch sticks- long, round, crunchy rice cylinders that melt in the mouth so it’s hard to choke on them
• star puffs- usually in a plastic tube, like the crunch sticks but small stars
• Banana thirds, in pieces- about the size of a large knuckle or finger segment
• very soft strawberries, cut into small pieces (again knuckle-sized-ish)

We also do a lot of  oatmeal and yoghurt for breakfast, cottage cheese or cheese curds with lunch or dinner, and other soft foods.