I was having trouble starting my baby on solids. She doesn't seem to care too much for the puree's and she wanted to feed herself allready but had yet to develop her pincer grasp and is still gagging on the "chunkier" foods.

  I was searching

the web and found a product called a "Baby Safe Feeder".  It is a little "tool" that baby can use themselves to eat.  It has a ring on the bottom for baby to hold onto and a mesh bag on top where baby can chew or suck through to eat whats inside without choking.  More info on www.babysafefeeder.com.  It was invented by a father who's baby almost choked to death eating a baby "teething" biscuit.

  I found a knock-off version at Zellers the other day and have been using it with my babes ever since.  It's a hit.....she just loves it!  Ive been able to give her chunks of pear, banana, watermelon, and she's actually eating them!  I've also given her crushed ice in it which helps with her teething too.  I tried giving her a "teething" cookie in it but that gets a little messier and you need to use a toothbrush when they are done eating to clean the mesh bag, but no big deal.

  This is a great product and worth the money if you ever think about buying one.  Actually I've allready gone out and bought another one so I have two now.  It's also great because I can put her in the highchair and give her a veggie or fruit in the "safe feeder" and that keeps her busy while I get the baby cereal and sippy cup ready.