Best baby feeding utensils
4 Best Baby Utensils + Feeding Tips from an OT
Inside: Our OT shares her top picks for baby utensils, plus she explains when to introduce them to your child and how to do it.
Your baby is starting solid foods, congratulations! We know that this is an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming. You’re learning about what their first foods should be, what’s important in a high chair, what the best utensils for babies are, and so much more!
When shopping for baby utensils, there are a few things you should keep in mind. In this article, our occupational therapist talks about the best baby utensils, how to introduce them to your little one, and when your baby should start using them.
Article contents:
When babies start using utensils
What to do if utensils make your baby gag
Tips for introducing utensils to babies to help them self-feed
What to do if your baby refuses to use utensils
Our list of the best utensils for baby
Getting babies interested in foods
More expert advice on starting solid foods
When can babies start using utensils?
Some children may be ready to use utensils as early as 6 months with assistance. They may also be ready to practice with a baby cup. By 10 to 12 months, most babies are ready to use spoons on their own. (1)
Utensils can be safely introduced to babies with supervision and by using appropriately-sized baby utensils.
Related: Starting solids and not sure where to begin? Find out the top 25 first foods for baby recommended by our pediatric dietitian.
What if baby utensils make my baby gag?
A gag reflex is the body’s natural response to protect itself. In the first few months of a child’s life, their gag reflex can be triggered by food that the child is learning to experience for the first time.
Around six or seven months though, their gag reflex can start to diminish and allow the baby to experience more foods and food textures. (2)
Related: Learn the difference between gagging and choking in our article about common choking hazards for babies and toddlers.
If the child expresses gag reflexes while using cutlery, try to remain calm.
Some baby utensils do have a lip to stop the spoon or fork from going too far into the baby’s mouth.
However, those spoons aren’t essential if the child is being supervised, which they should be when eating!
Related: Picky eating doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of toddlerhood. Sign up for our free picky eating guide to start your baby on the right path.
Tips for introducing baby utensils for self feeding
Introducing utensils to your baby or toddler might feel a little nerve-racking. Here are our top tips for when you start to give your baby spoons, forks or other utensils to help them self-feed.
1. Offer babies utensils with thicker handles
Babies need something they can hold onto, so spoons and forks with big and thick handles are good for them when they start out.
When your baby has gotten the hang of holding cutlery and is ready to move on, you can transition to toddler utensils with a slimmer handle.
Related: Did you know that iron is an important nutrient for babies? Learn tons of iron-rich foods to serve your baby.
2. Pre-load food onto the utensil to help your baby eat
Pre-loading a baby utensil means that you scoop the food onto the spoon or fork yourself before offering it to your child.
Placing a pre-loaded spoon on your child’s tray or baby plate makes it easier for new eaters to feed themselves.
3. Give your baby a second (or third!) utensil
Offering your child more than one utensil to hold on to or play with while eating can help improve their chances of using the utensil to self-feed.
It also may help them from getting distracted while eating.
Related: Does your child like to throw food? We can teach you how to end toddler food throwing.
4. Prepare for the mess your baby will make when learning to use utensils
Independence can be messy and that’s OK. Babies are still developing their motor skills and they are bound to spill and drop food.
Here are a few tips to help you deal with the mess:
- Look into getting a splat mat for the food that falls to the floor.
- Serve small portions of food.
- Clean as you go.
- Breathe! Even with doing all the above, it can still be messy.
Read our blog for more tips on how to manage messy eaters and messy mealtimes.
What if my baby refuses to use utensils?
If your baby prefers to use their hands, that is OK too! Children often continue to use their hands to eat for many years.
When your baby uses their hands to eat, whether they are using a raking grasp or a pincer grasp, it helps their body learn more about foods. This is a good thing! It can even help prevent picky eating in the future.
In the meantime, keep offering utensils when appropriate.
Need help with older kids? Learn how to teach your toddler to use utensils.
Food play can be a great way to get your baby interested and comfortable with new foods. It can be helpful to create a routine for food play when your child is first learning to eat. Get our ebook Food Play Every Day for ideas!
Our favorite baby utensils
Walk around any baby store section and you will surely come across an aisle with as many baby utensils options as the eye can see.
There are so many great utensils for babies!
For toddler spoon, fork and cutlery set recommendations, check out our top utensils for toddlers and kids.
These are the options we consider to be among the best baby utensils.
1. NumNum Pre-Spoon GOOtensils baby spoons
We like these spoons because they’re easy to pre-load for babies, and they have thick, contoured handles designed to fit in your baby’s hand.
2. Bumkins Silicone Chewtensils baby fork and spoon set
This baby spoon and fork set also act as teethers for teething babies. They’re dishwasher safe and they can be boiled for sterilizing and deep cleaning.
3. EZPZ Tiny Spoon set for baby-led weaning
With thick, non-slip handles and a narrow spoon to fit perfectly in baby’s mouth, these baby spoons are great for self-feeding.
4. Olababy Soft-Tip Training Spoon Set
Besides looking adorable, this set of baby training spoons allows your baby to scoop food at any angle. They can also be placed upright to help keep them clean while feeding your baby.
Get baby interested in eating foods
Sometimes when you try to force a child to eat a new food, they refuse. That’s why food play can be helpful.
Food play allows your baby to see, smell, touch and taste food in a low-pressure environment. Seeing, smelling and touching foods helps their bodies’ learn about foods, and once they learn about them, they’re more likely to try them.
Check out our ebook Food Play Every Day to get tons of food play ideas for your baby today!
More expert advice on starting solid foods
- Concerned about toxic heavy metals in baby food? Here’s what you need to know.
- Do you know about the Division of Responsibility in feeding? It’s one of the most important things to learn about feeding children.
- Meal and snack routines are helpful for kids and help keep parents sane. Start one as soon as you begin solids.
- Once you and your child are ready, here’s how to wean your toddler from the breast or bottle in 6 steps.
- Are you giving your baby a vitamin D supplement? Learn all about vitamin D for kids, including how much infants need and where to get it.
- Got questions about milk? Our pediatric dietitian dives in and shares the best milk for toddlers, babies and kids.
- When your baby turns 12 months old, you’ll probably be wondering what do one-year-olds eat anyways? We got you covered.
References
- https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/mealtime/fingers-spoons-forks-cups.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554502/
The Best Baby Spoons and Forks of 2023
There’s a lot to digest when you’re figuring out how to feed a newborn baby, but at the end of the day, whether it’s breast milk or formula, it’s still an entirely liquid diet. It’s when baby turns 4 to 6 months old that you can start introducing solid foods, and then things really get messy! You’ll want to have baby spoons and training utensils on hand for this delicious new milestone, but not all spoons are created equal—and segueing into solids with an infant will bring that fact to life lickety-split.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about introducing baby utensils, what to look for and the best baby spoons and forks to shop now.
In this article:
When do babies start using utensils?
What to look for in baby spoons and forks
Best baby spoons for feeding
Best baby spoons and forks for self-feeding
When Do Babies Start Using Utensils?
While there isn’t a hard and fast rule for letting babies get their hands on utensils, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), babies can start using a spoon by themselves around 10 to 12 months old. Before that point, parents and caregivers handle the spoon and make sure purees and mashes make it into baby’s mouth successfully.
You certainly don’t have to put the best baby utensils on your registry (the early baby feeding essentials, like bottles, bottle brushes, a nursing pillow and milk storage bags, for example, are much more top of mind), but once baby approaches the age of eating solids, it’s good to have a handful of baby spoons at the ready.
You can always add training spoons and toddler utensils for self-feeding to your shopping list when you start nearing the end of the first year.
What to Look for in Baby Spoons and Forks?
Of course, flatware doesn’t have to be complicated for “first-time” foodies, but spoons are the tools you’ll want to start with. It’s important to make sure nothing is too much of a choking hazard (i.e., too long or with sharp edges) or too cumbersome for baby if they begin wielding it on their own—something that will eventually become the best part of mealtime adventures!
Even if you’re not interested in baby-led weaning, where you’d bypass the puree phase and dive straight into finger foods from the first day forward, you definitely want your tiny gourmand taking the lead with their feeding journey. Not only will the learning and exploration process of playing with a spoon or fork, dipping it in their food and bringing it to their mouth to taste foster greater oral-motor skill development, but it’ll also help baby become a pluckier (read: not pickier!) eater and less inclined to push food away.
While you can certainly expose your little epicurean to baby forks once they start to show interest (just beyond the one-year mark, typically), they probably won’t start to handle it with finesse until they’re 18 to 24 months old. Spoons, on the other hand, are much simpler for tiny grabbers to maneuver. And by the time baby starts getting acclimated to eating solids, they can scoop up most purees and gently-mashed medleys with little effort. When scouting out the spoons you’ll feed your infant with and then hand over to them for self-feeding, be sure to keep these attributes in mind:
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Ergonomic design for parents and baby. When you’re doing the feeding, you’ll want a spoon that feels nice in your hand, with a long and slender handle and a small bowl to hold the food as you airplane it to their mouth. When baby is doing the feeding, you’ll want a smaller and chunkier spoon that’s easy for them to grasp and lightweight enough to hold.
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Soft, gentle gnaw construction.
Babies often start solids around the same time or just after they start getting teeth, so when they’re biting, sucking or tonguing the spoon for their food, a utensil that’s soft and gentle on their tender gums—like those crafted from silicone—is ideal. In fact, many of the best baby spoons have dual functionality as teethers (that can even be frozen and used to calm aching and inflammation in the mouth). Metal wares are fine too, but may be better suited for older eaters. -
Easy cleaning. If you feel like you’re constantly running out of spoons and forks for yourself, imagine how frustrating it is when you throw infant and toddler utensils into the mix. That’s why finding dishwasher-safe, plastic and BPA-free silverware is key.
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Bonuses to chew on. Feeding spoons shouldn’t be too complicated, but some spoons are designed with special features to make them safer for baby and less stressful for parents. We love options with temperature-sensitive tips, choking guards and shorter neck designs that mitigate the risks of baby burning their tongue or gagging on their food.
There are other picks with specific curved shape consideration or grip dimples and appliques to make spoon and self-feeding more successful—meaning more food in their tummies and less sprinkled and splattered all over the place.
Best Baby Spoons for Feeding
Whether baby just started solids or they need some more time with finger foods before you’re comfortable handing over the utensils, here’s the scoop on the best baby spoons that are affordable, easy for parents to use and even easier to clean.
Temperature-Indicating Baby Spoons
Munchkin White Hot Infant Spoons
You’re probably already familiar with Munchkin’s colorful line of baby products, but did you know they make baby spoons and tableware too? The tips of these baby utensils turn white if food is too hot, which makes feeding baby a lot easier. The tapered shape of the spoon is great for little mouths, and the soft tips are gentle on irritated gums. Plus, these utensils are dishwasher-safe as well as BPA- and phthalate-free, making them some of the best baby spoons around.
What We Love
- Long handles are great for when grownups are doing the feeding
- Brightly colored tips hide food stains well
- Can buy a spoon for every day of the week for less than $10 — they’re that cheap!
Things To Consider
- Option with metal handles (labeled as White Hot Safety Spoons) can be harder on baby’s gums
- Color-changing feature can be difficult to spot when the spoon is covered in food
Bamboo Infant Spoons
Avanchy 5-Pack Infant Bamboo Spoons
Avanchy’s feeding spoons are crafted from bamboo and finished with a soft silicone tip that’s gentle on tender gums. Each spoon also has a long, ergonomic handle that helps reduce hand or wrist pain from awkward feeding angles. The only drawback is that, like most wooden items, the spoons aren’t dishwasher-safe.
What We Love
- Wood and silicone combo is super easy to clean by hand
- Bamboo handles feature food-grade varnish that’s natural and FDA-approved
- Brand supports sustainability through carbon footprint reduction
Things To Consider
- Hand-wash only
- Expensive
Feeding Spoon Set
BEABA Baby's First Foods Silicone Spoons
Crafted from ultra-soft silicone, the BEABA First Stage Baby Spoons are gentle on baby’s gums and teeth and have no rough metal edges.
The shallow spoon design lowers the risk of choking by limiting how much food you or baby can scoop up at once. And, yes, these are dishwasher-safe as well as BPA-, lead- and phthalate-free.
What We Love
- Long, flexible handle is the perfect length to scrape the bottom of deep containers
- No metal or rough edges means baby can teeth comfortably
- Available in three baby-friendly colorways
Things To Consider
- Clear color stains easily, according to some parents
- Expensive
Silicone Food Dispensing Spoon
Boon SQUIRT Silicone Food Dispensing Spoon
Taking baby food on the go is a piece of cake with this pick from Boon. The handle of these baby spoons holds up to three ounces of pureed baby food and dispenses one mouthful at a time for easy one-handed feeding. They’re dishwasher-safe, free from harmful chemicals and come with a storage cap. What’s not to love?
What We Love
- Spoon tip screws onto the bulb handle easily and stress-free
- Eliminates the need to bring jars of food anywhere
Things To Consider
- Can get jammed easily depending on the thickness of the puree
- Large design means it can take up a good amount of room in the diaper bag
Dual-Ended Feeding Spoons
Boon SWAP 2-in-1 Feeding Spoon
Scooping up a spot on this list is the Boon Swap 2-in-1 Feeding Spoon.
It features rigid stainless steel on one side and soft silicone on the other, so you can trial them both and see which side baby likes eating their smashed sweet potatoes off of. And once they’re done digging in, the flat, flexible tips of each side of the spoon make cleaning around their mouth (those mushy dribbles, right?) a total cinch.
What We Love
- Are BPA-, phthalate- and PVC-free
- Dishwasher-safe
- Available in three punchy color combinations
Things To Consider
- Doesn’t hold much food (especially runnier cereals and thinner mashes), according to some parents
- Pricier choice for a pack of 2
Foldable Travel Spoons
Skip Hop Easy-Fold Travel Spoons
Cleanliness? Check. Portability? Check. This duo has it all! With Skip Hop’s Easy-Fold Travel Spoons, you can conveniently fold baby’s spoon right back into its built-in travel case. We suggest throwing one in the diaper bag and one in the center console of your car, so you’re always prepared to feed baby while on the go.
What We Love
- Built-in spoon rest makes for germ and mess-free feeding
- Top-rack dishwasher-safe
- Gray/teal colorways are gender-neutral and coordinate with the rest of Skip Hop’s infant feeding collection
Things To Consider
- Can get lost easily when folded up
- Sold separately from the Easy-Feed Mealtime Set
Best Baby Spoons and Forks for Self-Feeding
They’ve mastered their mashes, become a connoisseur of slurps and now they’re showing signs (like reaching for the spoon or banging it on the high chair tray) that they’re ready to take things into their own hands—literally. These baby and toddler utensils are the ones you’ll want to arm them with as they transition into this new stage of freewheeling feeding. Just be sure to keep an eye on them as they’re exploring more complex foods and textures—as much as this baby silverware gets billed for its particular safety features, choking accidents are never totally off the table.
Silicone Teether Spoon
The Baby Toon Silicone Teether Spoon
When the founder of the product is a 7-year-old who wanted to assuage her mom’s worries when her baby sister started self-feeding, it becomes clear that the choking hazard that comes with baby spoons is a universal parenting concern. This creative two-in-one teether and baby spoon is made of 100 percent FDA-grade silicone and uses unique animal shapes—like an elephant’s trunk, an alligator’s tail and a koala’s arms stretched out as a plate—to prevent choking and gagging (the spoon bowl is short and doesn’t go far into the mouth).
What We Love
- Animal shapes are ergonomically designed to fit snugly into your little one’s hands
- Fun designs teach babies about animals, shapes and colors
- Two-pack is great for keeping in different places (or for twins who require two of everything)
Things To Consider
- Spoon doesn’t fit easily into a baby food jar, so parents may need to load up the spoon first or serve food in a bowl
- Design resembles a toy, so babies may associate them with chewing rather than eating
Set of Training Utensils
Olababy Training Fork + Spoon Set
Once your little one has gotten used to eating bite-sized morsels, it may be time to introduce them to training utensils.
This toddler spoon has a flexible tip that lets your hungry little one scoop up food from any angle. Meanwhile, the metal-free fork is easy to wield, with soft spears that won’t poke or prod baby’s mouth. Plus, both utensils are made from BPA-free, food-grade silicone that’s dishwasher-safe. Is it any wonder that this baby feeding set won a Best of Baby award?
What We Love
- Soft silicone and non-blunt tips prevent gum bruising and keep newly-broken-through baby teeth safe
- Wide, suction cup-like bottom guarantees hygienic, upright placement on any tray or table
- Innovative, open design allows toddlers to "catch" the food on their plates easily
Things To Consider
- Residual staining may occur if you don’t wash the utensils right away
- Pricey for just one spoon and fork
Baby Spoon Set
NumNum Pre-Spoon GOOtensils
A great way to introduce baby to self-feeding, GOOtensils are sold in a dual-stage set: stage one for beginners, and stage two for kids who’ve mastered the food-to-mouth motion.
Their flat design makes them easier to use than a regular spoon; there’s no “wrong” way to hold them, so food doesn’t fall off. Plus, the contoured handles are designed to comfortably fit in a small hand. Parents will love that they’re dishwasher safe as well as PVC-, BPA- and phthalate-free.
What We Love
- Work well with any foods, from soft purees to chunkier big-kid blends
- Thicker, contour-handled design fits comfortably and securely in a toddler’s hand
- Makes baby-led weaning (self-feeding as early as 6 months old) a lot easier
Things To Consider
- Baby might get discouraged if you don’t familiarize them with the “teether” first
Fork and Spoon Set
OXO Tot Fork & Spoon Set
If you’re eager to teach your toddler how to use a fork as well as a spoon, opt for OXO Tot’s utensil set. The soft, non-slip handles are easy for little hands to hold, and the toddler fork is effective without having sharp tines.
These baby utensils have BPA-, phthalate- and PVC-free silicone handles, and are also dishwasher-safe.
What We Love
- Soft grips help the utensils stay propped up instead of sliding into bowls and plate
- Flat spot on each keeps fork and spoon from rolling off the high chair
- Stainless steel construction makes the set a bit more grown up, for toddlers who want to eat like their parents and siblings
Things To Consider
- A more lightweight and maneuverable plastic version is available for younger babies, but the plastic isn’t always good
Toddler Spoons
Kizingo 2-Pack Toddler Spoons
These toddler spoons may look a little goofy, but they’re genius in the way they motivate your little one to pick up the spoon themselves—making them one of the best toddler utensils for self-feeding. The beauty of the design is in their ergonomic, curved handle that’s meant to work with the way children naturally hold utensils.
And the spoon bowl gathers the perfect amount of food for baby bites, eliminating possible choking risks and helping baby learn how much they can eat, without overindulging, in one sitting. These are also tools to engage them in exploration. Have a picky eater at home? Why not let them have some fun with Kizingo? They can pretend to be a space alien scooping up some out-of-this-world rations!
What We Love
- Bright and dynamic color combinations
- Lead and latex-free, as well as FDA-approved and dishwasher-safe
- Sold in twin packs for left- and right-handed eaters
Things To Consider
- Pricey option for spoons
Plus, more from The Bump:
Feeding Essentials: the Best Baby Spoons, Bowls and Plates
Dig in! a Guide to Starting Solids
Best Baby Cereals: 6 Healthy Options for Your Little Eater
TOP 10 best utensils for babies
The first utensils can appear in a baby in the first months of life: even if he is breastfed, breast milk can be frozen in reserve in special containers.
Over time, the set of items for food becomes more and more diverse. First there are bottles for milk, mixtures, water, medicines, then plates and bowls, non-spillable mugs and cups are added to them. As a result, by 12 months, the functionality of children's dishes is compared with the functionality of an adult - only it looks much brighter, more attractive and seductive. After all, the main purpose of these kitchen items is to teach the child to eat independently. Not only artists, but also psychologists and nutritionists are working on the design of children's dishes - and all in order to make the process of learning a little gourmet enjoyable and interesting.
Today we have prepared a rating of the best tableware for babies, based on expert assessments of experts and reviews of real customers. Our recommendations will help you make the best choice for your requirements and desires.
Photo: http://kiddysoul.ru
Contents:
1. Canpol Babies dinner set (4/401)
2.
Philips AVENT SCF135/06 container
3. BabyBjorn set (0781)
4 Plate Oogaa Train and plane
5. Munchkin Container Catch Cookies (11401)
6. Munchkin Cookware Set Colored Cups (11259)
7. Lubby Classic Plate (13952)
8. Chicco Stay Warm Plate 6 m+
Cookware Set Eco Baby Bamboo fiber ladybug
10. Beaba Meal Set
Canpol Babies dinner set (4/401)
Photo: https://market.yandex.ru
Canpol Babies plastic dining set. Canpol plastic dining set art. 4/401 is recommended for children over 1 year of age. The dishes can be used in the microwave (without lids) and washed in the dishwasher (on the top shelf). Set includes: deep plate (270 ml), shallow plate, cup (170 ml), spoon, fork. Made from durable and safe plastic. Children from 12 months.
Canpol Babies dinner set (4/401)
Advantages:
- workmanship
- design
- security
- usability
Philips AVENT container SCF135/06
Photo: https://market.
yandex.ru
The Philips Avent milk formula dispenser is a necessary accessory for feeding on walks and on trips, as it allows you not to take the whole can of formula with you. Allows you to store three previously measured portions of dry milk formula in separate sections. To start feeding, simply open the dispenser spout and pour the mixture into a bottle of chilled boiled water. Remove the inner compartment for use as a bowl or container. All parts can be sterilized, heated in the microwave and washed in the dishwasher.
Philips AVENT container SCF135/06
Advantages:
- workmanship
- design
- security
- usability
BabyBjorn set (0781)
Photo: https://market.yandex.ru
New BabyBjorn tableware in pleasant pastel colors. Its advantage is that all its elements are adapted for small children's hands. The process of self-feeding is now simple even for the smallest. A stable plate that is difficult to tip over, comfortable cutlery with short handles and a cup are all designed to make it easier and more fun for your child to eat without the help of adults.
BabyBjorn cookware set (0781)
Advantages:
- workmanship
- design
- security
- usability
Oogaa Plate Train & Plane
Photo: https://market.yandex.ru
Silicone dining utensils are made from high quality silicone approved in Europe for food contact. This silicone does not release chemicals, is non-toxic and does NOT contain PVC or phthalates. The set consists of a colored 250 ml bowl and 2 spoons. And no more fragments, debris and noise, if suddenly such a bowl accidentally topples over. Free of BPA and harsh chemicals, easy to clean. Suitable for dishwasher, microwave, freezer and oven.
Oogaa Plate Train and plane
Virtues:
- workmanship
- design
- security
- usability
Munchkin container Catch cookies (11401)
Photo: https://market.yandex.ru
A container for snacks and small pieces of food with a magic lid is a great solution to feed your baby on the go.
The soft petals of the lid allow the child to get pieces of food on their own, but do not allow the contents to crumble. The mission of Munchkin, an American company with a 20-year history, is to rid the world of boring and mundane products, to look for smart innovative solutions that turn mundane tasks into an experience that brings pleasure.
Munchkin container Catch cookies (11401)
Advantages:
- workmanship
- design
- security
- usability
Munchkin set Colored cups (11259)
Photo: https://market.yandex.ru
A set of 2 training cups with removable lids Munchkin from the Splash line will make feeding fun and exciting thanks to a bright design. The comfortable, push-on training lid will keep fluid out if your little one is playing. Cups are very convenient for children's hands when the baby is just learning to drink from an adult cup. Cups nest inside each other for compact storage.
Can be washed in the dishwasher. For children from 18 months.
Munchkin set Colored cups (11259)
Advantages:
- workmanship
- design
- security
- usability
Lubby Classic (13952)
Photo: https://market.yandex.ru
The special shape of the lid allows you to keep the feeding device hygienic while traveling. The suction cup prevents the plate from moving freely on the table. The lubby set refers to after-use items. In this direction, bright, dynamic colors are used - purple, red, yellow, green. The heroes of this direction are funny and funny space traveler dinosaurs who will become friends to the child in his discoveries.
Lubby Classic (13952)
Pros:
- workmanship
- design
- security
- usability
Chicco Stay Warm plate 6 m+
Photo: https://market.yandex.ru
The Chicco Stay Warm plate allows you to keep food warm for a long time, so your baby can eat slowly, and you don't have to worry about the food getting cold and not tasty.
The plate has an ergonomic design, a silicone non-slip surface and a special insert so that the baby does not burn his fingers. A special hot water tank allows you to maintain the temperature of food for a long time during feeding. Special recess for a spoon. Silicone coating on the bottom of the plate.
Chicco Stay Warm plate 6 m+
Advantages:
- workmanship
- design
- security
- usability
Eco Baby dinnerware set Bamboo fiber ladybug
Photo: https://market.yandex.ru
Drinking bowl with a straw - so beautiful and bright, every kid will be delighted to look at it. Such a cup is comfortable to hold in your hands, and the liquid does not spill from it. It is made of eco-friendly material - just what your baby needs! The bowl is made from bamboo fibre. Due to this, it has high strength. Bamboo fiber is an environmentally friendly material, safe for children and adults.
Eco Baby cookware set Bamboo fiber ladybug
Advantages:
- workmanship
- design
- security
- usability
Beaba Meal Set
Photo: https://market.
yandex.ru
A new silicone set of feeding utensils from the French brand Beaba. The plates have suction cups to attach to the table (or high chair) to prevent them from falling off. Thanks to the comfortable shape, the baby can easily eat. The Beaba set includes dishes for babies and parents who are just starting weaning, as well as for independent babies over a year old. Made of soft elastic silicone, which is not dangerous for the baby and comfortable for parents (does not break or make noise).
Beaba Meal Set
Advantages:
- workmanship
- design
- security
- usability
This concludes our review of baby utensils. We hope that the information provided, collected by our experts, was enough for you to purchase good dishes. Enjoy the shopping!
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checklist from the pediatrician for parents - article on TCC
Like most children's devices, dishes for babies should make life easier for parents.
It is much more reasonable, for example, to buy a plastic plate than to collect glass fragments from the floor several times a day. And it’s safer to give a plastic mug to a child so as not to run after him, insuring family china.
And yet, in this matter, as in everything else, you should know the measure: do not buy too much and do not delay the transition to the usual "adult" plates and cutlery. Pediatrician Ekaterina Volkova spoke about the basic rules for using children's dishes.
Benefits of special baby dishes
- Safety. Smooth shapes and lack of sharp elements will protect the child from accidental injuries, and unbreakable material will allow you not to worry about the fact that the baby will drop the dishes and get hurt by splinters.
- Hygienic. The child in the first years of life should have separate dishes. If you choose a special children's kit, it will be easy to track that only the baby uses it.
- Convenience.
Children's tableware is light and unpretentious in use, you can easily take it with you, for example, for a walk. Many models are as ergonomic as possible and are equipped with details that facilitate the feeding process (suction cups, valves and non-spill pockets, rubberized handles, non-slip bottom, temperature indicator).
- Design. Bright colors, favorite characters from fairy tales and cartoons are sure to attract the attention of a child. With such dishes, it will be easier to seat him at the table and persuade him to finish eating soup or porridge in order to get to the picture at the bottom.
Pros and cons of different materials for baby dishes
Plastic is the most common material. It is lightweight, impact resistant and inexpensive. Plastic utensils can have a variety of shapes and colors, perform any task. It is important to carefully study the label - not every plate or plastic mug can be put in the microwave and washed in the dishwasher. In this case, it is better to take dishes from trusted world brands. They have certificates that guarantee that products during active use will not be damaged and will not emit harmful substances. The disadvantage of plastic utensils is that they are not environmentally friendly. Try to properly dispose of it after use or hand it over to collection points.
Silicone is a safe material from which many baby accessories are made: pacifiers, teethers, toys, dishes. He does not beat and almost does not give in to children's teeth, is not afraid of high temperatures and washing in the dishwasher. High-quality silicone does not emit harmful substances and does not react with food. The downside is that the dishes are quite thick. In addition, there is a risk of falling for unscrupulous manufacturers who use harmful dyes and chemicals. It is important to pay attention to the service life of silicone utensils and the rules for caring for them.
Bamboo is a lightweight and fairly durable material. Bamboo tableware is beautiful and safe. However, the cymbal may not withstand a strong blow and still break. Another important point is that such dishes cannot be used in the microwave and it is better not to wash them in the dishwasher, as they can be deformed from prolonged contact with water.
glass and ceramic are safe in composition, but break easily and may injure a child. They are best used when the children grow up or when an adult is still feeding the baby himself, who does not have the opportunity to reach the plate. Pay attention: there should be no chips or cracks on the dishes. Say goodbye to broken plates without regret, and even more so do not give them to children: a tiny piece of glass or enamel can get into the esophagus and damage internal organs.
Metal is not the best choice for children's dishes. It heats up quickly and cools down for a long time, the child can get burned. Leave metal bowls and cups for hiking.
Wood is a safe and environmentally friendly material, but it is not suitable for children's dishes: dishwasher and microwave are contraindicated for wood. In addition, over time, it will accumulate germs, dirt and harmful substances.
What dishes to buy for a baby: a checklist for parents
1. Spoon. She will be needed in 4-6 months for the introduction of complementary foods and for medication. The first is better to take a silicone spoon. It is not too deep, hypoallergenic and safe for baby's delicate gums. However, some mothers prefer silver or plastic - this is also quite acceptable if used carefully. However, you should not “flirt” with silicone and plastic spoons. It is better for a child to learn to eat on his own with metal appliances. Spoons can be a special small size, but the more they resemble real "adults", the better.
2. Plug. Will come in handy closer to the year or to the moment when the child begins to actively learn to eat on his own. In addition to its direct purpose, it will also help develop coordination, manual dexterity and fine motor skills. Give preference to metal appliances with rounded teeth. They are easier to use, easier to clean, and more durable than plastic ones.
3. First plate. She appears after the spoon at the same time when the baby tries the first complementary foods. It is better to start with a small plate, since the portions are also small at first. Later, when the menu becomes diverse, two more plates will be needed - deep for the first courses and flatter for the second.
There are plates on sale with a rubberized base that prevents slipping on the table, which is convenient for a baby and an adult. The option when the bottom of the plate is attached to the countertop with a suction cup is not so straightforward. On the one hand, it securely fixes the plate, making it stable. On the other hand, in order to move such a plate, you will have to make an effort, and from a sudden movement, the contents can splash on the table and floor. However, this option is good when you need to give your child chopped fruits or berries, that is, something that is convenient to eat with your hands.
4. Non-spill cup. This is the bottle-to-cup transition where the baby tries to drink a liquid that flows freely (as opposed to a breast or a bottle with a nipple that must be sucked on to get the contents). Someone needs it for 2-3 months. Some have been using it for a year or more.
The cup usually has two handles, so it is convenient for the baby to get used to drinking on his own. The main difference between a drinking bowl and a mug is that it has a lid, thanks to which the liquid will not spill. The lid can be with a straw, with a silicone or plastic spout, with interchangeable nozzles. The choice is yours, or rather, your child's. Most often, you have to buy several options so that the baby can choose the one that suits him best. Remember: the more complex the design of the drinker, the more difficult it is to wash it well. Some parents skip the sippy stage and go straight to the regular cup.
5. Cup. Her turn will come after the drinker (or instead). Someone masters the cup as early as 8–10 months, someone closer to 1.5 years. In any case, the cup must meet two main criteria - to be comfortable and safe. She can have two handles or one, 100–150 ml is enough in volume so that it is not difficult and convenient for a child to hold her. By kindergarten age, as a rule, the baby calmly copes with small ceramic cups and glasses.
Seven golden rules for caring for children's dishes
- Wash immediately after meals to prevent bacterial growth.
- Dry upside down and do not put wet dishes in the cupboard, otherwise there is a risk that residual water will rot or also become a source of bacteria.
- Do not dry the dishes with a towel to avoid leaving dust and fluff on them. Dry naturally or use paper towels.
- Periodically spray dishes with boiling water to disinfect them.
- Use only safe, certified detergents or do not use them at all - first foods can be easily washed off with plain hot water.
