Feeding baby with silver spoon
6 Benefits Of Silver Utensils For Babies And Tips To Use
Besides being durable, silverware has several benefits for your little one.
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As you introduce solid foods to your children and encourage them to go ahead with eating with the help of spoons, you may wonder about the safety of silverware for babies.
There can be several other utensil options as well. Some may consider plastic, but its safety becomes a concern since it may contain potentially harmful BPA and phthalates. This brings us to the use of silverware for babies and if they can be a better and safer alternative.
Read on to know about the safety of silverware for babies.
Is It Good To Use Silver Cutlery For A Baby?
Parents in many cultures use silver cutlery while feeding young children. You may even have received silver bowls and spoons as gifts during the baby shower or on your baby’s first birthday. When transitioning your baby to solid foods, it could be tempting to use the gorgeous silver-plated baby Christening spoon your granny gave you.
However, while silverware is a good choice for babies, you need to keep certain things in mind before you start using it – one of which is knowing when you can start using it. Also, make sure the items are made of pure silver and not alloys of silver with cadmium or other metals.
Related: Top 10 Healthy Baby Weaning Foods And How To Start Them
When Can You Start Using Silverware For Babies?
When you first start feeding solid foods to your child, it is a good idea to use a silicone or rubber spoon.
At this early stage, the child may bite on the spoon and chew it due to the teething pain. A silver spoon at this initial stage could hurt the insides of the child’s mouth. Choose a customized baby spoon that has been designed factoring in the fact that the cutlery may touch the sides of the baby’s mouth and their lips and gums during the feeding process.
By the time the baby is about six to nine months, they start getting curious about cutlery and try to grab the spoon with which you feed them. And by the time they are 14 months, they learn to dip the spoon into their food and bring it to their mouth. Start them off with a specially designed baby spoon, while you can continue to use silver spoons.
By the age of around 24 months, you may offer silver spoons to the child as they are now more adept at using one on their own with decent motor control. This improved motor control ensures that the spoon smoothly goes in and out without scraping against the sides of the mouth or gums (1).
Image: iStock
Related: 8 Remedies To Treat Swollen Gums In Babies When Teething
Benefits Of Using Silverware For Babies
The following are a few proven benefits of using silverware while feeding your baby.
- Antimicrobial properties: The antimicrobial properties of silver have been well-documented by researchers, which gives you a valid reason for transitioning to silver cutlery for your little one. Silver is known to kill bacteria, fungi, and certain viruses and has a long history of use in medical, personal care, and domestic applications. Given the findings, you can rest assured that microbes cannot remain on your silver cutlery for long (2) (3).
- Low maintenance: Since silver utensils can be cleaned, sterilized, and dried quickly, they are easy to maintain. You can load silverware into the dishwasher or give it a good wash by hand using a mild cleaning agent and warm water.
If you would like to sterilize it, you can also gently lower the silver spoons and baby-feeding bowls in hot water and let them soak for a few minutes.
- Non-toxic: Some metals, such as mercury and lead, are toxic to humans. However, silver is non-toxic and perfectly safe for use in the kitchen. It is not known to have adverse effects on human health. Even if ingested accidentally, silver passes through the body and is expelled naturally, meaning it does not get absorbed into the tissues (4).
- BPA-free: Bisphenol A or BPA is a chemical that goes into many plastic products, including cutlery, containers used to store water and food, and the linings of infant formula and food cans. This chemical hardens plastic (5). BPA can seep into the food or water and affect your child’s brain and prostate gland and lead to behavioral changes in them (6). Using silver baby feeding bowls and silver spoons is an excellent way to avert the risk of BPA from plastics leaching into the baby’s food, especially if you tend to use bowls for storing baby food.
Image: iStock
- Phthalate-free: Phthalates are used in the manufacture of PVC and other plastics. Apart from the antiandrogenic effects, phthalates are also believed to impact children’s psychomotor abilities and cognitive functions (7). Thus, if you are looking for phthalate-free utensils for your child, silver is a great option.
- Long life and resilience: The food-grade baby feeding bowls you find in the market have a limited shelf life, while the glass containers are difficult to manage with an active baby at home, and they also present a risk of injury if they shatter. With silver, both these problems are eliminated. You can use silver utensils for years on end and pass them on to the next generation without any qualms. It is also unbreakable, so a few drops and knocks may scratch or dent it but won’t damage it beyond use. More importantly, there is no risk of silver breaking into shards and injuring the child.
Types Of Silverware Available For Babies
Silver kitchen sets include the following.
- Silver bowl: The advantage of silver bowls is that you can store both hot and cold foods in them without worry. Make sure you have a bowl with a proper-fitting lid so that you can quickly cover the food when the child gets distracted in the middle of a feeding session. A bowl comes in handy while storing baby food items, including soups, semi-solids, and solids, or even finger foods for a baby who is just exploring eating on their own.
- Silver plate: This is an ideal utensil for letting your baby explore eating on their own or get a feel of solid foods. A silver plate could be an add-on to a bowl, or you could use it as a substitute for one if it has enough depth for your child to scoop out food effortlessly.
Image: Shutterstock
- Silver spoon: A well-designed silver spoon is a great alternative to plastic feeding spoons, which usually contain harmful chemicals.
Silver spoons can also be used for a long time and are hygienic.
- Silver glassware: Once you have accustomed the child to drinking directly from a cup, giving them a silver cup glassware is ideal. You can leave milk, water, or other liquids in it for long without the risk of any chemicals leaking into the edible item.
Tips On Using Silverware For Babies
Keep these tips in mind when introducing silverware to your baby.
Glasses
- Choose a lightweight product that is handy enough for the child to clutch securely in their little hands.
- Avoid giving them adult-sized glasses that may be prone to slipping out of their grip owing to their diameter and weight.
- Glasses that come with handles make drinking from them easier for the child.
- Always check and recheck if the edges are smooth and well-rounded. Sharp edges may cut the child’s soft lips when they drink from the cup or glass.
Bowls
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- When feeding solid foods to your little one, give them a small silver bowl they can hold easily.
- An active, curious child is sure to grab things they can lay their hands on. Thus, ensure the silver bowl you are using is easy to hold and not too big to be easily knocked out of your hands.
- When your toddler is old enough to eat directly from the bowl, get one that is easy for them to grab.
- Give your baby a slightly heavier bowl so that it doesn’t tip over when the child dips the spoon to scoop out the food.
Spoons
- Silver spoons are usually heavy, so get one that is designed for children and is light enough for them to handle.
- Avoid ornate silver spoons and bowls because these are tough to clean. Also, food particles may stick within the intricate designs.
- Short-handled silver spoons are best for toddlers to maneuver easily without much spillage.
- The edges of the silver spoons meant for the child must be well-rounded. This helps avoid cuts and bruises inside the child’s mouth or on the lips.
Plates
- Use a slightly heavy plate that will not flip over when the child scoops up food from it.
- Ensure it is not excessively heavy because there is a risk of the baby pulling it off the table and hurting their foot.
- Ensure your baby’s plate has no sharp edges.
- Plates with some depth and high-rounded edges are a good choice because they reduce spillage.
How To Clean Silver Vessels?
Image: iStock
You may clean your baby’s silverware with warm water and a mild dishwashing liquid. Silverware can also go into the dishwasher. However, silverwares are prone to scratches, so avoid putting too many at one go.
Generally, if you keep using your silver bowls, spoons, and glasses, you will hardly find tarnishes in them. However, these tips might help you get your baby’s silverware back to its pristine shine if it loses its sheen.
Here is how you should clean tarnished silver cutlery:
- Place a sheet of aluminum foil in a large, flat bowl. The shiny side faces upwards.
- Arrange the tarnished spoons and bowls over the foil in a row.
- Pour in hot water, so all the utensils are submerged.
- Sprinkle a few tablespoons of baking soda.
- Leave it for some time, and you will see the foil absorbing the tarnish and the utensils acquiring a lovely sparkle and shine.
- Take them out and clean them thoroughly with soap and water.
- Rinse them thoroughly with water to get rid of all the baking soda.
- Dry them with a soft cloth to make them ready for use.
Can You Use Silver Utensils For Acidic Foods?
While silver is not toxic and does not affect the taste of most foods, some foods may taste different if you store and serve them in silver utensils. In particular, acidic foods may change in taste if stored in silver utensils.
They may also tarnish the silver. Eggs may also taste different when eaten off silver bowls or plates due to the sulfur content that reacts with the silver (8).
Silverware for babies has been used for generations. However, before introducing silver utensils to children, you should remember that they are hard and may hurt babies’ mouths. So, do not use silverware at an early stage when they are starting solids. As babies become more adept at handling utensils and eating food, you may introduce silverware to them. These utensils are a good choice because of their antimicrobial properties, low maintenance, and non-toxic nature. Choose silverware specially made for children and enjoy safe and worry-free feeding time.
Related: Baby Gas Drops: Uses, Dosage, Interactions And Side Effects
Key Pointers
- Many cultures use silverware when feeding young infants; however, be sure the cutlery is made of pure silver.
- You may give your baby silver cutlery when they reach around 24 months of age.
- Pure silver cutlery is proved to have antibacterial properties, is non-toxic, free of BPA and phthalates, and has a long shelf life.
- Acidic meals kept in silver cutlery may change food’s flavor and tarnish the silver.
References:
1. Using Cutlery; NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
2. Wilson Sim et al.; Antimicrobial Silver in Medicinal and Consumer Applications: A Patent Review of the Past Decade (2007–2017); Antibiotics (Basel) (2018).
3. Silver. A powerful weapon against microbes; Coloplast Group
4. The Facts on Silver; Dartmouth Toxic Metals Superfund Research Program
5. BPA and the Controversy about Plastic Food Containers; National Capital Poison Center
6. Nutrition and healthy eating; Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER)
7. Stephanie M. Engel et al.; Neurotoxicity of Ortho-Phthalates: Recommendations for Critical Policy Reforms to Protect Brain Development in Children; American Journal of Public Health
8.
It Turns Out Silver Spoons Make Food Taste Awful; Vice
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Why to Use Silver Items (Utensils) for Feeding Babies?
Silver is one of the most commonly used metals used for cutlery and utensils.
It has been around for centuries and is found in almost any middle-class household in India. One of the main reasons people eat from silver is because silver has proven antibacterial properties. It is believed that eating out of the same is healthy and can help prevent disease-causing bacteria from spreading.
While this may or may not be true as science hasn’t been able to prove this, silver is still a great utensil to use owing to it being able to withstand great heat. Gifting a family silverware is a popular tradition in India that has occurred for many centuries.
Why Use Silverware for Babies?
Silverware is a great metal to give babies food in because most importantly, it is safe even when consumed in the body, unlike lead and mercury. Here are a few other reasons why:
1. Silver is Bacteria-Free
Silver has an inherent property that prevents the buildup of bacteria cells in its chemical bonds. This means that bacteria aren’t able to survive and thrive, unlike many other metals.
Silverware also doesn’t need to be sterilized unlike plastic and synthetic utensils because of this property. This is one of the main reasons medicines are given to babies in silver bowls or trays.
2. Easy to Maintain
Silverware is easy to maintain and does not require a lot of scrubbing or cleaning. Minimal soap and water is enough to do the job and you also don’t need to sterilize them. It is important to remember not to polish silverware used for babies because it could mix with the chemicals.
3. Non-Toxic
Silver doesn’t cause cancer of any sort unlike plastics and many other metals. It doesn’t cause any problems in the reproductive system or even neurological damage which the former two can. It has some great properties and is safe for kids to use.
4. Boosts Immunity
Since silver can kill germs, this can be good for health in the long term. It is a common belief that some small traces of silver when mixed with baby food, can improve immunity.
While this hasn’t been proven, it is still a good idea to feed them with silver as it isn’t poisonous to consume at all.
5. Retains Freshness
Storing food in silverware is always a good idea because it can destroy the viruses, bacteria and germs in the food. In olden times, milk was infused with silver coins to keep it fresher over the longer period. Water and wines were also kept in silverware to help enhance freshness and keep it tasty for more time.
6. The absence of Any BPA
BPA is an additive in plastics that are used to make it more durable. This can sometimes latch onto food items and cause hormonal imbalances in addition to obesity. Other risks also include increased risks of breast cancer, prostate cancer and infertility. Instead of searching for high BPA or “BPA-Free” plastics, you could switch to silver.
7. No Phthalates
Another common ingredient used to make plastics is phthalates and this is known to cause both fertility and immunity issues.
This can affect full-grown adults, so imagining the effect it could have on children is a scarier thought. Instead, try using silverware as it is proven to have no additives that can harm anyone from a health perspective.
Types of Silverware Available for Babies
There are many different types of silver items for babies available for babies to serve them food with. These include the likes of:
1. Silver Bowl
One of the best silver utensils for babies is the bowl. It can fit a range of food items, both hot and cold and ensure that it is kept safe. Silver bowls are available in different sizes and they can be used for a very long period of time.
2. Silver Plate
Silver plates can be used to serve food along with the silver spoon as an alternative to glass or plastic utensils.
3. Silver Spoon
Silver spoons are a better option than stainless steel as they will be able to prevent the growth of any bacteria.
4. Silver Glassware
Perfect to feed babies with drinks and liquids that can be stored for a long period of time inside them.
5. Paladai
Paladaiis a very popular silver bowl found in different Indian households and it is a bowl that is shaped like a conch.
Tips to Use Silverware for Babies
Silver can be used just like any other metal. You can use it in certain ways:
- Glasses: Silver glasses can be used to store liquids such as juices and drinks like water to babies.
- Bowls and spoons: Silver bowls and spoons can be used to serve rice and foods like upma, pasta and more
- Plates: Plates can be used to serve hot chappatis or curries and other liquid food items.
- Paladas: These smaller silver bowls can be used to serve delicious fruit and vegetable purees like carrots, bananas, peaches, apples and green peas.
How to Clean Silver Vessels?
Silverware can be easily cleaned with the help of just some soap and water. Start by rinsing the silver in warm water and some dishwashing soap.
The silver can then be placed in pots lined with aluminium foil which is then mixed with boiling water and some baking soda. This hot solution will help remove any blackness from the silver, deeming it good to go after rinsing.
You could touch the silverware with some polish if you feel like.
Thus, silverware might not have any proven medicinal properties but is still a great option to serve food in, owing to its antibacterial properties. It is also easy to clean and available in different types of utensils, making it perfect to serve food for babies. Silver is also not poisonous to consume as it does not have any effect in the body unlike metals such as mercury and lead.
Also Read: Baby Food Stages
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| 05-08-2015 Heading: Good to know A silver spoon for babies is a traditional gift in honor of the first erupted tooth. Irreplaceable silver spoon for childrenThe appearance of the first tooth in the crumbs is a signal that the time has come to introduce the first complementary foods. For a baby who has been fed mother's milk before, this is a rather difficult test. New products can threaten problems with the tummy, which will affect the well-being of the child. Many centuries ago, people learned that silver has excellent anti-bacterial properties, so many of the appliances necessary for the daily life of a baby were made from this precious metal. Of course, not everyone could afford to purchase the entire set of silver items and limited themselves to a spoon. Such a product then accompanied a person all his life and was inherited as a family heirloom. nine0006 Why you should use a silver spoon to feed your baby All parents strive to provide their child with the best and take care of their health, which is especially important in the first year of life.
In addition, the silver spoon attracts the baby with its shine, so there are no problems with the feeding process. Where is the best place to buy a silver spoon Products intended for a small child should be safe for his health. Therefore, in order to avoid fakes, you should purchase silver spoons from reliable companies. Our online store offers its customers cutlery made of silver of the highest 925° sample. Excellent design solutions and high quality of the offered products will satisfy the most demanding customers. | WE ACCEPT | |
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They should tap on the incisor and wish the rest of their teeth to grow healthy and strong. However, in the future, the cutlery is used to feed the baby, because it has a positive effect on the health of the baby. nine0006 
Therefore, very often a silver spoon is used to feed the baby with the first adult food. Such cutlery has the following advantages: 
All products are certified and meet all hygienic requirements. We offer the best models at the most pleasant prices, in addition, we carry out the delivery of the order. Is it healthy to feed a child with a silver spoon
November 22, 2017
Letidor.ru
Find out which spoon is better to feed a child - plastic or silver.
Photo: Shutterstock.com Shutterstock.com
Many babies are given silver spoons “for the first tooth”. They say that there is such a sign: with a donated spoon you need to knock on the first tooth so that the rest grow strong. In addition, it was believed that after observing such a ritual, the child would also grow up healthy, and there would be prosperity in the family.
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Video of the day
Nowadays, many people keep silver spoons just as a keepsake, while others think why not use them for their intended purpose and feed them with porridge and mashed potatoes.
Questions arise… Is it possible to feed a baby from six months with a silver spoon? Is it useful or, conversely, harmful?
Parents' doubts will be resolved by Naira Panosyan, an orthodontist at the Happy Dents clinic.
Three advantages of silver spoons for a child
Plus the first - silver is bactericidal
It is unlikely that a silver spoon will have any effect on teeth that are just erupting, but it does have a positive effect on the body. You can not only feed your baby from a silver spoon, but also keep water in a silver decanter, because silver is bactericidal - it kills harmful microorganisms and fungi.
This is why silver instruments do not need to be sterilized. They themselves sterilize the water in which they are (or which is poured into a silver vessel).
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Plus the second - silver is harmless
Unlike plastic spoons, cups and other utensils, silver is non-toxic. If the temperature of food is high enough, monomer is released into it - particles of plastic from plastic dishes, which are toxic to the body.
Silver is completely harmless and does not emit any poisonous particles.
Plus the third - silver increases immunity
Silver ions, getting into the body, improve the functioning of its immune system, which is important and useful for a small child. nine0006
Be careful when feeding hot food
When using silver utensils, it is important to remember only one thing: the child should not be fed very hot food in general. And silver spoons, of course, will noticeably heat up if left in hot food.
Therefore, parents need to carefully monitor the temperature of their baby's breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
In other respects, the use of silver dishes only positively affects his health! nine0006
Good to remember
Natural silver spoons are safe for children, but remember that not all children are comfortable eating them.
