Before 9 months, little children may be eating infant cereals and soft, liquidy foods like applesauce and pureed or mashed vegetables. Two signs tell you if your 9- to 12-month-old is ready for original Cheerios* cereal and other solid foods: 1) She has mastered the art of chewing (it doesn’t matter how many teeth she actually has) and 2) he can use the "pincer grasp” and can pick up small objects. You can ask your doctor to be sure, but most likely, children showing these signs are ready for original Cheerios* cereal and other finger foods. A few generations of moms and dads have discovered that original Cheerios* cereal makes a great finger food; pediatricians’ expert opinions back up that parental wisdom.