Feeding plates for babies
14 Best Baby Plates and Bowls
If baby has just started sampling solids, they’re probably not a food connoisseur just yet—but that doesn’t mean they still don’t have taste. Sometimes getting your little one to start loving mealtime is as simple as organizing their fare on a festive baby plate or in a fun shaped baby bowl. They’ll feel like they finally have a place at the table (literally), and they’ll be more excited to dig into what you’re putting down. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of playful plateware on the market today. From sectioned plates that let your kiddo explore different colors, shapes and textures to bowls with suction bases that can stand up to your willful little eater (if and when they start flinging purees and finger foods), these are the baby dinner sets you’ll want to stock up on.
In this article:
Overall best baby plate
Best baby suction plate
Best silicone baby plate
Best bamboo baby plate
Best metal baby plate
Best baby placemat plate
Best budget-friendly baby plate
Overall best baby bowl
Best baby suction bowl
Best silicone baby bowl
Best bamboo baby bowl
Best metal baby bowl
Best budget-friendly baby bowl
Best baby dinner set
What to Look for in Baby Plates and Bowls
At this age, baby’s standards are almost non-existent, but they will show preferences for certain colors over others, and might even ask for a particular baby plate or bowl at snack or mealtime (their froggy plate, their smiley-sun bowl or the set with the spoons that have eyes!) because it just makes what they’re noshing on more fun and even yummier.
As the parent, though, your dinnerware wish list is probably more motivated by what the baby plates and bowls are made of, how easy they are to clean and keep in one piece, if they can promise less of a mess at mealtimes and what kinds of extras they might come with. It’s the little things that prove to be the most important sometimes, like travel-ready lids for eating on the go or easy-grip handles that let you feed your finicky toddler one-handed. Keep the following considerations in mind:
- Material and durability. When it comes to baby plates and bowls, there are a number of material options to choose from: silicone, plastic (certified non-toxic BPA- and phthalate-free plastic, that is), eco-friendly bamboo and even stainless steel. Silicone and plastic are your best bets when durability and longevity are a concern, but bamboo also has great endurance and is naturally antimicrobial. Stainless steel is certainly durable and has a cool look to it, but it’s better suited for older toddlers who have more experience eating and are no longer (or less frequently) tossing their plates, bowls and utensils with reckless abandon.
- Suction features. If baby gets a kick out of dumping their food onto the floor, try to scout out baby suction plates and baby suction bowls that will stick to the high chair or table. Knowing that your mess-prone omnivore has their purees, cereals, yogurts or first finger foods in a container that stays put might help you fret a little less.
- Easy cleanup. For the most part, baby plates and bowls can safely go in the dishwasher post-dining. You’ll still want to cross-reference the manufacturer’s washing instructions, though, to ensure you’re not putting baby’s tableware through more than it can handle. It also depends on the material; bamboo dishes should always be hand-washed, since the protective glosses and varnishes that cover bamboo pieces can be compromised in a wash cycle, leaving them dry, cracked and porous—and you won’t want baby eating from a plate or bowl that’s harboring bacteria.
- Fun factor. Adorable animal-shaped plates and bowls and pastel-colored baby dinner sets that can bring smiles to even the grumpiest little ones.
After all, the best baby dishes are the ones they will consistently reach for to eat both their favorite and not-so-favorite foods. If baby’s green froggy plate will get them to eat one or two broccoli florets (instead of throwing them on the floor), then you’ll want to keep it around!
Best Baby Plates
Ready to add some new baby plates to your kitchen cabinets? These are our top picks that serve up everything needed for a mess- and stress-free meal session.
Overall Best Baby Plate
Green Sprouts Baby Learning Plate Made from Silicone
Parents of little ones who demand that their peas and carrots don’t touch will appreciate this clever dish. It has four separate sections that help you serve up perfect toddler portions from each food group. The learning plate is made from food-grade silicone and is free from PVC, BPAs and petroleum. It also has a suction base to prevent toppling and an easy-release tab to help you unpeel it from a high chair or table.
Better yet, it’s heat-resistant, dishwasher-safe and virtually indestructible.
Best Baby Suction Plate
WeeSprout Divided Suction Plates with Lids
WeeSprout’s silicone divided plates are microwave-, dishwasher-, oven- and freezer-safe and feature an extra-strong suction base that will keep everything in place. Parents will appreciate that the three divided sections have higher sides than other similar products to better reduce spillage. Plus, these baby plates are made of 100 percent BPA-free silicone and come in sets of three vibrant colors.
Best Silicone Baby Plate
Bumkins Silicone Grip Toddler Dish
This stylish option from Bumkins is a natural pick for the best silicone baby plate. Made from soft silicone, the dish features three perfectly proportioned sections and a strong suction base that secures to any surface. It’s also dishwasher-safe and free from BPAs and other harmful chemicals, and comes in a variety of colors to keep things playful. Talk about an all around win!
Best of Baby Winner for Best Baby Tableware
Best Bamboo Baby Plate
bamboo bamboo Fox Suction Plate
Your own wiley fox might not be a fan of what this woodland creature feasts on, but the bamboo baby plate is an adorable way to get them to eat! Made from bamboo that’s free of plastic, melamine and toxins, the fox plate provides three curved compartments for different types of foods (foxes do love apples and raspberries, which are great finger foods for your scavenger!) and easy scooping.
Plus, the trusty suction bottom clings to any smooth surface, so you don’t have to worry about the plate toppling over.
Best Metal Baby Plate
Ahimsa Balanced Bites Stainless Steel Plates
Looking for an alternative to silicone baby plates and bowls? Check out this stainless steel tableware from Ahimsa. Created by a real-life mom (who also happens to be a pediatrician), the plates are free of BPA, PVC, phthalates, melamine and lead. Plus, steel dishes are incredibly strong and non-porous, meaning they won’t retain bacteria or become discolored over time. Each plate is divided into three sections to help you serve up a balanced meal. Granted, they’re a little pricey, but they’ll surely last a lifetime.
Best Fun-Shaped Baby Plate
Loulou Lollipop Silicone Suction Snack Plate
Up baby’s mealtime motivation with these adorable animal-shaped baby plates. They come in a variety of shapes, including an elephant, lion, bunny, alligator and rhino—all sure to inspire even the picker of eaters.
The bowls are made of 100 percent silicone that’s free of BPA, PVC, phthalates, lead and cadmium, and can safely be popped into the microwave and dishwasher for easy heating and cleaning. Plus, they have a suction base to help keep mealtime messes to a minimum. All reasons why these baby plates earned a Best of Baby award!
Best Baby Placemat Plate
ezpz Mini Mat
Outsmart baby’s tendency to toss their plate on the floor with this mini baby placemat from ezpz, a one-piece silicone plate and placemat combo that suctions to the table (or any flat surface). Divided sections encourage parents to serve a variety of foods, and the plate lightweight enough to bring along on trips or dinners out. Made from 100 percent food-grade silicone, it’s BPA-, BPS-, PVC-, lead- and phthalate-free, as well as dishwasher safe. These baby plates even come in a variety of colors. As an added bonus, you can take 15 percent off sitewide with the code BUMP15.
Best Budget-Friendly Baby Plate
Re-Play 4pk Divided Plate
We love that these hard, textured plastic baby plates are virtually indestructible and completely BPA-, phthalate-, PVC- and melamine-free.
Plus, the environmentally friendly divided plates, available in fun, bright colors, are made from recycled milk jugs and 100 percent recyclable at their end of use! Best of all, they come in a pack of four and are super affordable.
Best Baby Bowls
How about some new baby bowls for their chunkier purees, yogurts, pastas and soft scrambled eggs? Here you’ll find seven creative crocks with suction bases, high sides and lids to help keep things tidy when baby sits down to eat.
Overall Best Baby Bowl
Avanchy Baby Bamboo Stay Put Suction Bowl and Spoon
If you like the idea of a plastic-free baby bowl but still want it to stay put, this pick from Avanchy is an excellent choice. The bowl itself is made out of organic, biodegradable bamboo, and the ultra strong, BPA-free silicone suction base easily attaches to any flat surface—seriously, it has the best (read: babyproof) suction base we’ve yet to come across. Included with the bowl is a bamboo and silicone spoon that’s perfectly sized for baby’s hands, but not so small that parents will find it difficult to use.
Just make sure to wash this one by hand since it’s not dishwasher-safe.
Best Baby Suction Bowl
Munchkin Stay Put Suction Bowls
Next up on our list is Munchkin’s set of three different sized bowls. The strong suction base keeps baby from trying to throw it across the room, while the quick-release tabs make it easy for parents to remove. These baby bowls are BPA-free as well as microwave- and dishwasher-safe. Given that they’re a best-seller among parents, you might want to get your hands on them fast!
Best Silicone Baby Bowl
Olababy Silicone Suction Bowl
This baby bowl from Olababy is a microwave-, freezer- and dishwasher-safe pick with a super-strong silicone suction base. (Based on our experience, even the most dexterous of babies are no match for this bowl’s suction abilities.) Made from 100 percent nontoxic, food-grade silicone that’s durable and bacteria-resistant, it’s a choice you can feel good about. It even comes with a handy lid to save whatever leftovers baby doesn’t polish off.
(Also checkout Olababy’s amazing silicone plates, which won a Best of Baby award!)
Best Bamboo Baby Bowl
Wild and Stone Baby Bamboo Bowl and Spoon Set
Searching for baby bowls made from eco-friendly materials? Check out this tableware set composed of sustainably sourced bamboo and food-grade silicone. Designed to look like a smiling sun, the bowl has a removable suction base that adheres to any smooth surface. It comes with a silicone-tipped spoon, with no sharp edges or corners that could harm baby’s sensitive gums or newly emerged teeth, giving you one less thing to worry about.
Best Metal Baby Bowl
Avanchy Stainless Steel Baby Bowl and Spoon Set
We love pastels and bright punchy colors for little ones, but for parents looking for something to match their own sleek design aesthetics, this black and stainless steel baby bowl is right up your alley. The pick from Avanchy adheres firmly to any flat surface with its silicone suction ring, making sliding, tipping or hangry Hulk moments a non-issue at mealtime.
When baby is done eating, simply pull on the easy-release tab to pluck the bowl off their tray and into the sink for easy cleaning. It’s crafted from double-walled, non-heat transferring, 18/8 stainless steel, so the bowl can go through the ringer without getting ruined. And most importantly, food stays hot, but chubby baby fingers remain cool! Be warned, this bestseller has a tendency to fly off store shelves.
Best Budget-Friendly Baby Bowl
Skip Hop Easy-Grab Bowls
Designed with parents’ comfort in mind, Skip Hop’s baby bowls feature a unique comfort-grip handle to take the hard work out of feeding time. Thanks to the ergonomic design, you can easily grip the bowl in one hand, leaving your other hand free to coax baby to eat. The set includes two phthalate- and BPA-free bowls complete with lids, so storing leftovers is easier than ever. And at less than $12 for a dual pack, they’re a total steal!
Best Baby Dinner Set
Baby Bjorn Baby Feeding Set
Here’s a dinner set that not only looks good but also works well for little eaters.
The unique shape of the baby plate makes it easy for tots to scoop up food and harder to tip the plate. Meanwhile, the silverware handles have a ring to prevent baby’s hand from slipping down too far, and a groove to prevent the fork and spoon from sliding into the plate. The set also comes with a grip-friendly cup and an adjustable bib with a spill pocket. (And who wouldn’t be obsessed with the delightful color palette?)
14 Best Baby Plates and Bowls
If baby has just started sampling solids, they’re probably not a food connoisseur just yet—but that doesn’t mean they still don’t have taste. Sometimes getting your little one to start loving mealtime is as simple as organizing their fare on a festive baby plate or in a fun shaped baby bowl. They’ll feel like they finally have a place at the table (literally), and they’ll be more excited to dig into what you’re putting down. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of playful plateware on the market today. From sectioned plates that let your kiddo explore different colors, shapes and textures to bowls with suction bases that can stand up to your willful little eater (if and when they start flinging purees and finger foods), these are the baby dinner sets you’ll want to stock up on.
In this article:
Overall best baby plate
Best baby suction plate
Best silicone baby plate
Best bamboo baby plate
Best metal baby plate
Best baby placemat plate
Best budget-friendly baby plate
Overall best baby bowl
Best baby suction bowl
Best silicone baby bowl
Best bamboo baby bowl
Best metal baby bowl
Best budget-friendly baby bowl
Best baby dinner set
What to Look for in Baby Plates and Bowls
At this age, baby’s standards are almost non-existent, but they will show preferences for certain colors over others, and might even ask for a particular baby plate or bowl at snack or mealtime (their froggy plate, their smiley-sun bowl or the set with the spoons that have eyes!) because it just makes what they’re noshing on more fun and even yummier.
As the parent, though, your dinnerware wish list is probably more motivated by what the baby plates and bowls are made of, how easy they are to clean and keep in one piece, if they can promise less of a mess at mealtimes and what kinds of extras they might come with.
It’s the little things that prove to be the most important sometimes, like travel-ready lids for eating on the go or easy-grip handles that let you feed your finicky toddler one-handed. Keep the following considerations in mind:
- Material and durability. When it comes to baby plates and bowls, there are a number of material options to choose from: silicone, plastic (certified non-toxic BPA- and phthalate-free plastic, that is), eco-friendly bamboo and even stainless steel. Silicone and plastic are your best bets when durability and longevity are a concern, but bamboo also has great endurance and is naturally antimicrobial. Stainless steel is certainly durable and has a cool look to it, but it’s better suited for older toddlers who have more experience eating and are no longer (or less frequently) tossing their plates, bowls and utensils with reckless abandon.
- Suction features. If baby gets a kick out of dumping their food onto the floor, try to scout out baby suction plates and baby suction bowls that will stick to the high chair or table.
Knowing that your mess-prone omnivore has their purees, cereals, yogurts or first finger foods in a container that stays put might help you fret a little less. - Easy cleanup. For the most part, baby plates and bowls can safely go in the dishwasher post-dining. You’ll still want to cross-reference the manufacturer’s washing instructions, though, to ensure you’re not putting baby’s tableware through more than it can handle. It also depends on the material; bamboo dishes should always be hand-washed, since the protective glosses and varnishes that cover bamboo pieces can be compromised in a wash cycle, leaving them dry, cracked and porous—and you won’t want baby eating from a plate or bowl that’s harboring bacteria.
- Fun factor. Adorable animal-shaped plates and bowls and pastel-colored baby dinner sets that can bring smiles to even the grumpiest little ones. After all, the best baby dishes are the ones they will consistently reach for to eat both their favorite and not-so-favorite foods.
If baby’s green froggy plate will get them to eat one or two broccoli florets (instead of throwing them on the floor), then you’ll want to keep it around!
Best Baby Plates
Ready to add some new baby plates to your kitchen cabinets? These are our top picks that serve up everything needed for a mess- and stress-free meal session.
Overall Best Baby Plate
Green Sprouts Baby Learning Plate Made from Silicone
Parents of little ones who demand that their peas and carrots don’t touch will appreciate this clever dish. It has four separate sections that help you serve up perfect toddler portions from each food group. The learning plate is made from food-grade silicone and is free from PVC, BPAs and petroleum. It also has a suction base to prevent toppling and an easy-release tab to help you unpeel it from a high chair or table. Better yet, it’s heat-resistant, dishwasher-safe and virtually indestructible.
Best Baby Suction Plate
WeeSprout Divided Suction Plates with Lids
WeeSprout’s silicone divided plates are microwave-, dishwasher-, oven- and freezer-safe and feature an extra-strong suction base that will keep everything in place.
Parents will appreciate that the three divided sections have higher sides than other similar products to better reduce spillage. Plus, these baby plates are made of 100 percent BPA-free silicone and come in sets of three vibrant colors.
Best Silicone Baby Plate
Bumkins Silicone Grip Toddler Dish
This stylish option from Bumkins is a natural pick for the best silicone baby plate. Made from soft silicone, the dish features three perfectly proportioned sections and a strong suction base that secures to any surface. It’s also dishwasher-safe and free from BPAs and other harmful chemicals, and comes in a variety of colors to keep things playful. Talk about an all around win!
Best of Baby Winner for Best Baby Tableware
Best Bamboo Baby Plate
bamboo bamboo Fox Suction Plate
Your own wiley fox might not be a fan of what this woodland creature feasts on, but the bamboo baby plate is an adorable way to get them to eat! Made from bamboo that’s free of plastic, melamine and toxins, the fox plate provides three curved compartments for different types of foods (foxes do love apples and raspberries, which are great finger foods for your scavenger!) and easy scooping.
Plus, the trusty suction bottom clings to any smooth surface, so you don’t have to worry about the plate toppling over.
Best Metal Baby Plate
Ahimsa Balanced Bites Stainless Steel Plates
Looking for an alternative to silicone baby plates and bowls? Check out this stainless steel tableware from Ahimsa. Created by a real-life mom (who also happens to be a pediatrician), the plates are free of BPA, PVC, phthalates, melamine and lead. Plus, steel dishes are incredibly strong and non-porous, meaning they won’t retain bacteria or become discolored over time. Each plate is divided into three sections to help you serve up a balanced meal. Granted, they’re a little pricey, but they’ll surely last a lifetime.
Best Fun-Shaped Baby Plate
Loulou Lollipop Silicone Suction Snack Plate
Up baby’s mealtime motivation with these adorable animal-shaped baby plates. They come in a variety of shapes, including an elephant, lion, bunny, alligator and rhino—all sure to inspire even the picker of eaters.
The bowls are made of 100 percent silicone that’s free of BPA, PVC, phthalates, lead and cadmium, and can safely be popped into the microwave and dishwasher for easy heating and cleaning. Plus, they have a suction base to help keep mealtime messes to a minimum. All reasons why these baby plates earned a Best of Baby award!
Best Baby Placemat Plate
ezpz Mini Mat
Outsmart baby’s tendency to toss their plate on the floor with this mini baby placemat from ezpz, a one-piece silicone plate and placemat combo that suctions to the table (or any flat surface). Divided sections encourage parents to serve a variety of foods, and the plate lightweight enough to bring along on trips or dinners out. Made from 100 percent food-grade silicone, it’s BPA-, BPS-, PVC-, lead- and phthalate-free, as well as dishwasher safe. These baby plates even come in a variety of colors. As an added bonus, you can take 15 percent off sitewide with the code BUMP15.
Best Budget-Friendly Baby Plate
Re-Play 4pk Divided Plate
We love that these hard, textured plastic baby plates are virtually indestructible and completely BPA-, phthalate-, PVC- and melamine-free.
Plus, the environmentally friendly divided plates, available in fun, bright colors, are made from recycled milk jugs and 100 percent recyclable at their end of use! Best of all, they come in a pack of four and are super affordable.
Best Baby Bowls
How about some new baby bowls for their chunkier purees, yogurts, pastas and soft scrambled eggs? Here you’ll find seven creative crocks with suction bases, high sides and lids to help keep things tidy when baby sits down to eat.
Overall Best Baby Bowl
Avanchy Baby Bamboo Stay Put Suction Bowl and Spoon
If you like the idea of a plastic-free baby bowl but still want it to stay put, this pick from Avanchy is an excellent choice. The bowl itself is made out of organic, biodegradable bamboo, and the ultra strong, BPA-free silicone suction base easily attaches to any flat surface—seriously, it has the best (read: babyproof) suction base we’ve yet to come across. Included with the bowl is a bamboo and silicone spoon that’s perfectly sized for baby’s hands, but not so small that parents will find it difficult to use.
Just make sure to wash this one by hand since it’s not dishwasher-safe.
Best Baby Suction Bowl
Munchkin Stay Put Suction Bowls
Next up on our list is Munchkin’s set of three different sized bowls. The strong suction base keeps baby from trying to throw it across the room, while the quick-release tabs make it easy for parents to remove. These baby bowls are BPA-free as well as microwave- and dishwasher-safe. Given that they’re a best-seller among parents, you might want to get your hands on them fast!
Best Silicone Baby Bowl
Olababy Silicone Suction Bowl
This baby bowl from Olababy is a microwave-, freezer- and dishwasher-safe pick with a super-strong silicone suction base. (Based on our experience, even the most dexterous of babies are no match for this bowl’s suction abilities.) Made from 100 percent nontoxic, food-grade silicone that’s durable and bacteria-resistant, it’s a choice you can feel good about. It even comes with a handy lid to save whatever leftovers baby doesn’t polish off.
(Also checkout Olababy’s amazing silicone plates, which won a Best of Baby award!)
Best Bamboo Baby Bowl
Wild and Stone Baby Bamboo Bowl and Spoon Set
Searching for baby bowls made from eco-friendly materials? Check out this tableware set composed of sustainably sourced bamboo and food-grade silicone. Designed to look like a smiling sun, the bowl has a removable suction base that adheres to any smooth surface. It comes with a silicone-tipped spoon, with no sharp edges or corners that could harm baby’s sensitive gums or newly emerged teeth, giving you one less thing to worry about.
Best Metal Baby Bowl
Avanchy Stainless Steel Baby Bowl and Spoon Set
We love pastels and bright punchy colors for little ones, but for parents looking for something to match their own sleek design aesthetics, this black and stainless steel baby bowl is right up your alley. The pick from Avanchy adheres firmly to any flat surface with its silicone suction ring, making sliding, tipping or hangry Hulk moments a non-issue at mealtime.
When baby is done eating, simply pull on the easy-release tab to pluck the bowl off their tray and into the sink for easy cleaning. It’s crafted from double-walled, non-heat transferring, 18/8 stainless steel, so the bowl can go through the ringer without getting ruined. And most importantly, food stays hot, but chubby baby fingers remain cool! Be warned, this bestseller has a tendency to fly off store shelves.
Best Budget-Friendly Baby Bowl
Skip Hop Easy-Grab Bowls
Designed with parents’ comfort in mind, Skip Hop’s baby bowls feature a unique comfort-grip handle to take the hard work out of feeding time. Thanks to the ergonomic design, you can easily grip the bowl in one hand, leaving your other hand free to coax baby to eat. The set includes two phthalate- and BPA-free bowls complete with lids, so storing leftovers is easier than ever. And at less than $12 for a dual pack, they’re a total steal!
Best Baby Dinner Set
Baby Bjorn Baby Feeding Set
Here’s a dinner set that not only looks good but also works well for little eaters.
The unique shape of the baby plate makes it easy for tots to scoop up food and harder to tip the plate. Meanwhile, the silverware handles have a ring to prevent baby’s hand from slipping down too far, and a groove to prevent the fork and spoon from sliding into the plate. The set also comes with a grip-friendly cup and an adjustable bib with a spill pocket. (And who wouldn’t be obsessed with the delightful color palette?)
checklist from a pediatrician for parents - article on TCHK
Like most children's devices, utensils for babies should first of all 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. nine0003
Benefits of special baby dishes
- Safety. Smooth shapes and the absence 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. nine0011 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 will surely attract the attention of the 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. nine0012
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. nine0003
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. nine0003
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. nine0003
Metal is not the best option 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. nine0003
2. Plug. It 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. nine0003
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. nine0003
4. Non-spill cup. This is the bottle-to-cup transition where the baby is trying 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. nine0003
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 dry out or also become a source of bacteria.
- Do not wipe the dishes with a towel to avoid leaving dust and fluff on them. Dry naturally or use paper towels.
- Periodically pour boiling water over dishes 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. nine0012
- Do not allow other family members to use baby's utensils.
- If possible, store children's dishes separately from adults.
These rules apply both to special children's dishes and when the child eats from ordinary plates and uses ordinary spoons. Try to label and store them separately so as not to expose the fragile organism to additional contact with "adult" bacteria.
Baby's first tableware - what you need and how to choose the right one
Contents
It is obvious that every member of the family should have their own household items and hygiene products.
Especially strictly this principle should be observed in relation to small children. With hygiene products, it cannot be otherwise, but what about household items? For example, does the baby need its own utensils? The answer is unambiguous - it is necessary. Moreover, the baby may need the first dishes soon after birth. What dishes should a child have, how to choose it and properly care for it - read below. nine0105
Baby's first dish
- Silicone spoon.
This is exactly the kind of baby utensil that you may need in the first months of life. No, we will not feed the baby with soup and porridge. With the help of a soft silicone spoon, small children are given liquid medicines, herbal decoctions or water. Usually such a need arises during the period of infantile colic. It would seem that it is much easier to give a child dill water to drink with a bottle and a pacifier? However, there is a danger in such actions: after the pacifier, the babies have a “nipple confusion”, and they refuse to suck on the mother’s breast, because it is much more difficult to get milk from it than to get a drink through the nipple.
A metal and even a silver spoon in this case is inferior to a silicone one. nine0104 Firstly , the volume of the silicone spoon bucket is smaller and more proportionate to the baby's mouth. Secondly , a metal spoon can inadvertently injure the delicate mucous membrane of the mouth of the crumbs.
Manufacturers and brands: World of Childhood, Nuk, Chicco, Bebe Confort, Maman, Canpol babies.
- Non-spill cup.
The child is growing, learning new skills, including self-service skills at the table, and he already needs real children's dishes. A non-spill cup can help your baby learn to drink from a cup. The peculiarity of the drinkers is that they have a lid, which means that the contents will not spill past. Most drinkers also have handles on both sides so that the baby can hold it with two hands. In stores you can find a huge number of different drinkers: with a soft or hard spout, with and without a cap, with a straw, with handles, without handles, with double walls to keep the temperature of the contents.
It is difficult to say which of the options is the most successful and convenient. No one can decide better than the child himself, so you will probably have to try different drinkers before you can find your own. nine0003
Manufacturers and brands: Nuk, Bebe Confort, Lubby, Canpol babies, Philips AVENT, The First Years, NUBY.
- Plate.
The need for plates appears when the baby begins to receive complementary foods, that is, at about the age of six months. Dishes for a child of 6 months should meet the needs of the age. The first portions of complementary foods are not very large in volume, therefore, the first plates should not be large and deep. The more the child eats, the more the plate is needed, and later it is better to get two different plates: deep for the first courses and flatter for the second. Despite the fact that plastic is criticized for being non-environmental, the most convenient children's tableware is plastic.
nine0104 Glass, porcelain and ceramics are too fragile materials, metal plates are inconvenient because they get very hot. High-quality food-grade plastic (namely, this is what a plate for a baby should be made of) is non-toxic, it will not break, it is impossible to burn yourself on it. When choosing a plate for a baby, pay attention to its stability. There are special plates with suction cups, but they are not always convenient. Sometimes the baby is very interested in moving the plate around the table. At the same time, suction cups provoke “emergency” situations: the child has to make efforts to move the plate from its place, but he is not yet able to correctly calculate the force and the point of its application, so the plate, along with the contents, may even end up on the floor. In this sense, plates with a rubberized bottom are more convenient: they are protected from accidental slipping, but at the same time, they can be moved around the table painlessly. nine0003
Manufacturers and brands: Bebe Confort, CHICCO, NUBY, The First Years.
- Cup.
After the sippy cup, the "era" of the regular cup begins. A cup, like any utensil for feeding children, should be comfortable and safe. Better if it is also plastic. Keep in mind that it is inconvenient for a child to hold a full cup with one hand, so you can get a cup with two handles or no handles at all. The volume of the cup should be small, again for the sake of the convenience of its little owner. nine0003
Manufacturers and brands: CHICCO, Nuk, Tommee Tippee, Bebe Confort.
- Fork and spoon.
Your child needs his own cutlery from the moment of introduction of complementary foods. Metal spoons and forks in this case are again not suitable, since they are easy to injure. The best option is plastic utensils made of high-quality food-grade plastic. The fork must have rounded teeth. Children's cutlery with a special bend of the handle is very convenient.
Bringing such a spoon or fork to your mouth is easier than a device with a straight handle. When the baby tries to eat on his own, devices with a rubberized handle will not interfere: they do not slip out of an inept palm. nine0003
Video: dishes for feeding a baby:
What should be the dishes for the smallest
The choice of children's dishes in stores is simply huge. In order not to miscalculate, you need to know exactly what requirements the dishes for the smallest must meet.
- Safe material. We have already found out that the safest utensils for babies are plastic utensils. It must be high quality food grade plastic. Cookware must be marked "suitable for hot dishes". nine0105 The fact is that low-quality plastic releases toxic substances when heated. The mark on the plastic dish is an indicator that it can be used for hot.
- Reliable seller. It is better to buy dishes for children in specialized stores or pharmacies. Such sellers check all quality certificates with suppliers, so there is not much chance to buy a low-quality fake. Reliable sellers in the market are Philips AVENT, Bebe Confort, NUBY, CHICCO, Nuk. nine0105
- The cookware itself must not have any damage (chips, cracks), it must have smooth, even edges without nicks. If something breaks off or cracks during use, the dishes must be replaced.
- To make it pleasant and interesting for the baby to eat like adults, children's dishes are decorated with pictures. Drawing pictures must be of high quality. Check if the paint peels off when washed or used.
- It is better if the cookware has a simple design. nine0105 This mainly applies to drinkers, because some models have hard-to-reach places for washing. Children's dishes should be easy to wash.
Video: new Philips AVENT tableware for baby feeding:
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- Dishes should have only one owner - a child. nine0105 Adults should not use children's cups, spoons and plates. The fact is that the oral cavity of an adult contains a lot of bacteria that can be dangerous for a baby;
- Children's utensils must be thoroughly washed without the use of chemical detergents. You can pick up a special "children's" gel for washing dishes, or use proven products - soda or soap. These substances are completely washed off and do not contain anything harmful to the crumbs; nine0012
- It is better if the dishes dry naturally. Do not dry children's dishes with a kitchen towel. If we are talking about wiping, it is better to use a disposable paper towel;
- Dishes need to be disinfected from time to time.
