Cookware for baby food

Best Non-Toxic Baby Utensils, Spoons & More

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Has your tot reached the magical milestone of starting solids? Non-toxic Expert, Aida Garcia-Toldedo shares her insights on how to avoid potentially toxic chemicals lurking in your family’s kitchen and baby’s feeding products.

When feeding their little ones, many parents understand the importance of choosing organic baby food to avoid exposure to pesticides and added hormones, but many might not realize that the tools used to cook and serve a child’s food can also be a source of harmful chemicals.

Many parents limit themselves to lower quality plastic dishware for children, not realizing that there are many safe, non-toxic and stylish alternatives that are widely available to serve food in.

In this article, we’ll go over:

Baby & toddler feeding: toxic chemicals & materials to avoid
Safer baby & toddler feeding product materials
Cooking tools: what to avoid
Safer cookware options
Our non-toxic baby & toddler feeding product picks

Scroll down to learn more.

Just because something says ‘BPA-Free’ does not mean that it doesn’t contain a whole slew other other potentially harmful chemicals.

At The Tot, we never use or recommend anything that hasn’t passed the Tot Safety Test. This means I’ve reviewed third-party testing, certifications, ingredients and the composition of every product on the site and deemed it safe.

When it comes to food storage containers, drink bottles, dinnerware, utensils and cookware, it’s EXTRA important to consider what something is made of because the materials are coming in direct contact with food and liquid.

Generally speaking, for hot or acidic meals, you should avoid plastic or melamine plates, as the heat (from the baby food itself, as well as from reheating or even from the dishwasher) can cause the plastic to leach chemicals like phthalates, BPA, and other endocrine disrupting chemicals.

Here’s a list of chemicals we avoid in baby feeding products and why:

PVC

PVC, also known as polyvinyl chloride, or vinyl, is an incredibly toxic chemical that is harmful to our bodies and to the environment right from the production phase through to disposal. It contains additives like phthalates, lead, cadmium, organotin that are quite toxic and have been linked to asthma, allergies, reproductive problems and cancer.

Harmful phthalates

Many phthalates are known endocrine disruptors associated with asthma, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, breast cancer, obesity, type II diabetes, neurodevelopmental issues, behavioral issues, autism spectrum disorders, altered reproductive development and male fertility issues.

BPA + BPS (bisphenols)

Bisphenols mimic the hormone estrogen and have been linked to prostate cancer, breast cancer, female infertility, and obesity. BPA is an especially dangerous endocrine disruptor since even small amounts of this chemical have been shown to cause serious reproductive damage, especially when the exposure occurs in utero.

Lead and other heavy metals

Exposure to heavy metals can cause nerve damage, learning and behavioral problems, reproductive damage and irreversible brain damage.

PFAS chemicals

PFAS (poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are a large family of different chemicals that have been shown to cause developmental and other adverse effects in laboratory animals.

Click here to view the full list of ingredients we avoid.

Great alternatives to plastic for baby plates, spoons, sippy cups and storage include:

Food-grade silicone (dishwasher safe)
Wood (with a non-toxic finish)
Eco-friendly bamboo
Stainless steel (dishwasher safe)
Glass (dishwasher safe; for little kids consider a silicon sleeve to protect glass)
Bamboo fiber with food-grade melamine (not to be confused with the other plastic melamine option.)

Non-stick

Non-stick cookware is a staple in the majority of kitchens across the world today. While the convenience of non-stick is clear, the technology behind it is not so clear.

Non-stick teflon pans: Up until recently, the go-to chemical used to make non-stick pans was the ‘Teflon chemical’ (Perfluorooctanoic acid or PFOA for short). This chemical is so toxic that the company that makes it agreed to phase it out of its products. It is a carcinogen (causes cancer), and prenatal exposure to perfluorinated chemicals may affect the immune system in early childhood.

If you have older non-stick pans at home they probably contain PFOA. Stop using these pans to cook or reheat your children’s meals. If you have to use them, make sure you use medium to low heat, since the higher heat temperatures are what cause the chemical to be released into the air and food. Also, make sure the pan has no scratches. Once it is scratched you should throw the pan away immediately.

New non-stick technology: There are various new chemicals and technologies being used in newer non-stick pans. Because these technologies are so new, proper long-term studies are needed to confirm if they are, indeed, completely safe. When cooking for a younger child, it is a good idea to err on the side of caution and avoid anything that has not been proven to be completely safe.

Aluminum

Due to its physical resemblance to stainless steel, aluminum is often mistaken for a safer cooking material. Unfortunately, pans made of aluminum can release heavy metals into food- aluminum is considered a neurotoxin (high exposures to it has been linked to Alzheimers). Acidic foods, such as tomato sauce, high heat and wear and tear cause more aluminum to leach from this cookware into the food.

Although the amount of aluminum that a pan would give off is actually very low, as always with young children I prefer to err on the side of caution and when possible simply choose a safer option.

Lucky for parents everywhere, there are many tried and tested pots and pans that will not leach chemicals into your family’s food:

Cast iron: When properly seasoned, cast iron is virtually non-stick. An added bonus is that cast iron pans add iron to the food you are cooking and can last decades, making them a great investment.
Stainless steel: Widely available, stainless steel is another great option for cooking that will not leach any chemicals into your tot’s meals. Many stainless steel pan users complain about their food sticking to their pans. However, although it does take a bit of practice, there are easy ways to avoid having your food stick when cooking such as ensuring you are cooking on a high heat to seal the food so it doesn’t stick and ensuring the pan is properly oiled and seasoned just before adding the food. An extra bonus is that stainless steel is dishwasher safe!

Babies are far more susceptible than adults to the dangerous effects of toxins and chemicals. Because they spend so much time exploring their new environment, babies spend a lot of time crawling on the floor and putting all sorts of things in their mouths. As they a result, they will naturally absorb and ingest whatever is around them.

By switching to safer baby products, from clothes and toys to meal time, personal care and cleaning products, you will lessen their exposure some potentially dangerous chemicals that can have serious long-term health effects.

All Tot Safety Test Approved, the below products are all free of:

Harmful phthalates
BPA + BPA
PVC
Added formaldehyde
Heavy metals

Scroll down to see my favorite non-toxic baby & toddler mealtime picks.

The Tot Feeding Sets: Baby-led Weaning (6m +)

$89

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The Tot Feeding Sets: Starting Solids Stage 1 & 2 (6 – 9m)

$139

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The Tot Feeding Sets: Stage 3 Solids Self Feeding (9 – 12m)

$109

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The Tot Feeding Sets: On-The-Go (1 year +)

$119

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The Tot Feeding Sets: Mastering Mealtimes (18m +)

$119

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Mushie Silicone Baby Bib

$12. 99

Available in more colors

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EZPZ Silicone Tiny Spoon Set

$15

Available in more colors

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January Moon Bamboo & Silicone Fork & Spoon Set

$18

Available in more colors

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EZPZ Silicone Happy Mat

$25

Available in more colors

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Avanchy Le Petite Baby Set

$46.99

Available in more colors

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Avanchy Bamboo Classic Plate

$22.99

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Avanchy Bamboo Stay Put Suction Toddler Plate & Spoon

$24. 99

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Avanchy Stainless Steel Toddler Plate

$19.99

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Austin Baby Collection Silicone Bento Box Set – Camper

$49.97

Available in more colors

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EKOBO Bamboo Fiber Bambino Baby Feeding Set

$22

Available in more colors

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EKOBO Bamboo Fiber Bambino Dinner Set – Coral

$25

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EKOBO Bamboo Fiber Bambino Dinner Set – Royal Blue

$25

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PlanetBox Stainless Steel Rover Lunchbox

$55. 95

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Zip Top Silicone Snack Containers

$34.99

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Thinkbaby Sippy of Steel

$13.99

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We know that choosing safe and non-toxic baby products can be confusing and overwhelming. There are so many issues to consider – BPA-free, lead-free, toxic dyes, flame retardants, organic cotton vs. regular cotton, so our Tot Expert & Green Living Consultant, Aida Garcia-Toledo has answered some of your pressing questions about choosing safer products for your family in The Tot Q&A on the best non-toxic baby products.

10 Baby Feeding Products to buy before Starting Solid Foods

last updated: Feb 25, 2020 by Kalyani

Starting solids is an exciting milestone for you and your baby. You need some essential tools for preparing your baby food, plates, bowls, cutlery also some more tools to feed your baby comfortably safe. However, it can also be challenging to know what to choose, especially when you’re overloaded with more baby feeding products available in the market.

Worry not, Here is the list of feeding products (with product links to buy to online) to start your baby on solids!

Here is the video for the list of 10 baby feeding products

1. Steamer/Pressure Cooker

You can cook your baby food in different ways. Below are the best methods and products which ensure a minimal nutrient loss.

Steaming:

It is the best method for cooking most of the baby food because it ensures nutrition preservation. You could invest in buying a steamer basket or baby food steamer depends on your preference and budget.

Baby Food Steamer:

There are a lot of baby food steamers and conventional steamers available in the market. I used Philips Avent steamer and blender for my baby, and I found it useful. It steams fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat. It also blends the steamed food to your desired consistency. You can also use Philips Avent steamer and blender to make juices and milkshakes.

Steaming with Philips Avent combined steamer helps to retain essential nutrients a way better than usual conventional steamers because the juices that are released from the food during the steaming phase are preserved (which are evaporated in typical steamers) for mixing back into the food during the blending stage. Here is my review of the appliance and how to use Philips Avent steamer and blender for baby food.

Buy It: Philips Avent Steamer Combined Blender

Food Steamer:

You can also use regular food steamer to cook baby food with steam heat.

Buy It: Pristine Stainless Steel Steamer

Steamer basket:

The steamer basket is another option to steam baby food. Place the steamer basket in a pan/saucepan and add only enough water to create steam. Cover and cook until tender.

Buy It: Vremi Steamer Basket

Pressure cooking:

Pressure cooking is one of the readily available means of cooking baby food, and efficient as only less water is used. You can directly place the peeled, washed and cut vegetables in a bowl and put them in a pressure cooker with less water. Prefer buying a small stainless steel pressure cooker for baby food.

Buy It: Prestige 2L Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker

2. Blender/ Mixer Grinder

Baby blenders/small food processors:

Blenders are quite essential for the first few months when you are starting solid foods. They do an excellent job of pureeing or mashing foods. You could be able to blend a small amount of baby food such as vegetable purees, fruit purees, shakes, homemade health mix powders, soups, mincing meat, etc. using the baby blenders/small food processors.

Buy It: Philips Avent Steamer Combined Blender

Normal Mixer Grinder:

You could also use regular mixer grinders. However, make sure to use a small jar that comes with the mixer grinder exclusively for baby food.

Buy It: Preethi Mixer Grinder

Hand Blenders:

These are portable, easy to use and affordable options for preparing baby food. You can hold the hand blenders in your hand and blend merely over a bowl. Also, it occupies less space compared to huge blenders/food processors. The only downside of hand blenders is cleaning, which can be a little tricky process.

Buy It: Morphy Richards Hand Blender

3. Saucepan and pans

Saucepan, pan, and pots can be used for making all kinds of porridges, soups, dry roasting the cereals, nuts, dals, and grains to make powders. Especially saucepan is useful for making a small amount of baby food. Avoid nonstick pans and aluminum cookware for making baby food as they are not safe.

Buy It: Prestige Saucepan

Buy It: Lodge Cast Iron Pan

Buy It: Prestige Fry Pan

4.

Sterilizer

Cleanliness and hygiene are essential when you make your own baby food at home as the baby's immune system isn't fully developed during the first year, and the little tummies are vulnerable to infections. Sterilizing will ensure that your baby remains protected from tummy upsets and diarrhea. We definitely can't create a 100% sterilized germ-free environment; still, we can make sure basic hygiene by sterilizing the baby feeding utensils properly.

Not all feeding equipment needs to be sterilized, but be sure to sterilize the baby bowls, cups, spoons, and food containers. There are different types of sterilizing equipment are available – e.g., microwave sterilizing, steam sterilizing, etc. You can also use simple hot water pot sterilizing, fill a pot with lots of water, and immerse all the baby feeding equipment completely, then cover and boil for 10 minutes. Before you sterilize, clean the feeding equipment thoroughly.

Buy It: Philips Steam Steriliser

Buy It: Prestige Pot

5. Baby bowls and plates

Baby Bowls

Feed your baby with small unbreakable bowls. There is a variety of bowls available in the market. You could also use silver utensils for baby feeding if followed in your family's tradition.

Plastic Bowls: Buy small colorful plastic bowls that are baby-friendly and BPA free when you start. Bright colors capture the baby's attention to eat the food. Make sure the bowls are freezer safe, microwave safe and dishwasher safe.

Buy It: Munchkin Bowls

Travel Bowls: Bowls with lid are useful during travel as it's easy to take meals with you on the go.

Buy It: Littles Bowl

Suction Bowls: Suction bowls keep your baby's food in place, it's useful if your baby has the habit of throwing foods. You can stick the suction bowl in a table or high chair.

Buy It: Avanchy Suction Bowl

Stainless Steel Bowls: If you are avoiding plastic, buy small stainless steel bowls.

Buy It: Home Bargain Stainless Steel Bowls

Baby plates

Plates may not be useful until your baby starts to self-feed. Once the baby started to eat by herself, serve meals for your little one with the handy Divided Plates with two or three sections which ensure the food not to get mixed.

Buy It: Munchkin Plates

Buy it: King International Steel Plates

6. Baby spoons and fork

Baby Spoons: Begin with a small, bright-colored, soft-tipped, shallow, short-handled plastic spoons that are comfortable for you to hold and gentle on your baby's gums instead of silver or stainless steel spoons as the baby's gums are sensitive. Gradually you can shift to a slightly larger deeper and metal spoons. Short handled spoons may interest a baby when she starts feeding on her own.

Buy It: Chicco Spoon

Baby Fork: Buy only baby-friendly forks that have broader prongs with rounded edges which prevents injury of the baby.

Buy It: Chicco Fork

7. Baby Cups

Sippy cups can be introduced to the baby at six months while giving water/juices. It helps make the transition from bottle to open cup more comfortable. Once your baby is doing good with a sippy cup, use an open cup by one year.

Choose a spill-proof sippy cup with a soft free-flowing spout and grip handles, which assures to be gentle on gums while teaching baby to drink from a spout and makes it easy for baby to hold.

Buy It: Philips Avent Cup

8. Bibs

As the mess is unavoidable during baby feeding, Bibs is a necessary feeding supply for your baby. It protects your baby's dress. There are many types of bibs available such as cloth bibs, plastic bibs, silicone bibs, full sleeve bibs, etc. Look for a bib that is large in size, waterproof and easy to clean. Start with cloth bibs, as your baby grows and becomes more independent, consider a plastic/silicone bib or a bib with sleeves.

Buy It: Quick-Dry Bibs

Buy It: Summer Infant Plastic Bibs

9. High Chair & Booster Seats

Hight chairs are another convenient and safe feeding essential for your baby as proper positioning is crucial while feeding the baby. High chairs ensure the baby is sitting upright and strapped. Start using high chairs only when your baby is sitting on her own without support. Always supervise your baby when sitting on the high chair as they may get poorly injured if falling out from it.

There are many types of high chairs are available in the market. Choose a high chair that's comfortable and easy to clean with wheels, footrests, wipeable cushion, detachable trays, and adjustable height settings. Basic model plastic high chairs are budget-friendly.

Buy It: Luvlap High Chair

Booster Seat high chair

A booster seat is a seat that fits on your regular chair or dining room chair. It allows your baby to sit with the rest of the family during mealtime. You can buy a booster seat separately or opt for a booster seat high chair. Booster seat high chair can be transformed into a booster seat for your table when your baby passes the high chair days. The main drawback of the booster seat is the baby may feel less comfortable compared to the high chair.

Buy It: R for Rabbit Booster Seat High Chair

Buy it: Fisher-Price Booster Seat

10. Miscellaneous

Other than the above-mentioned list, you may need a few other items such as vegetable masher, splat mats, whisk, strainer, sieve, peeler, and knife for making baby food.

Buy It: Ganesh Vegetable masher

Buy It: Bumkins Splat mat

Buy It: Cielo Whisk

Buy It: Elephant Strainer

Buy It: Taj Sieve

Buy It: Chef Pro Peeler

Buy It: Amazon Knife

Share your favorite products for starting solids with the baby!

Notes:

All information provided is intended for informational and educational purposes only.
We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of any information or advice contained here.
The information provided here are guidelines and doesn’t replace medical advice.
Some photos included in this post are from Amazon.
Opinions and suggestions about the products are 100% my own. Kindly do your own research before buying it.