Superior Baby Feeding Gear
As your baby approaches their six-month birthday, you may notice they’re extra alert while you eat: watching you chew and swallow, or grabbing a snack off your plate. You can also expect to see your baby’s first teeth beginning to erupt. These are all signs your little one is ready for you to introduce solid foods.
It won’t come as a surprise that brand new eaters are messy eaters—expect lots of dumped-over bowls and mashed avocado thrown on the floor. Even older toddlers haven’t developed the fine motor skills necessary to bring a spoon to their mouth or pick up a cup with zero spills.
These are our picks for the best mealtime tools that will minimize mess and help your little one develop the skills to self-feed and eventually join your family at the dinner table.
Busy Baby’s Mat is made from food-grade silicone and is designed to withstand tugging and pulling. Two easy attach toy straps reduce the need to chase drop toys (and keep them safe from grimy germs). It’s a great tool for keeping your little one entertained and occupied while you meal prep.
The Wonder Tray comes in decor-friendly colors and has simple educational concepts (like weather, emotion and facial labeling, and numbers) printed along the bottom to encourage learning and back-and-forth play. It’s made from dishwasher safe food-grade silicone, and has a raised edge for wrangling finger foods.
The original stay-put baby dishware, EZPZ’s placemat and plate is made from food-safe high-grade silicone and can be put in the dishwasher, microwave, and oven. The plate’s divided portions make it easy for tiny fingers (or utensils) to coral food, and the mat border prevents messy runoff.
If your baby is too young to master utensils or finger foods but is still ready for solids, the OXO Tot Silicone Self-Feeder is a great option. The soft grip handle is easy to hold, and the perforated silicone pouch sieves out food bits to encourage self-feeding. Fill it with some frozen fruit and voila! You’ve got an instant teether for soothing sore gums.
Mushie’s 100% BPA-free food-grade silicone spoons are a great first utensil for introducing solids. The stem is easy to grip, and the spoon tip’s soft texture is gentle on sensitive gums and newly grown teeth.
BEABA Toddler Self-Feeding Cutlery
BEABA’s cutlery set includes six spoons and four forks, and is ergonomically designed for older babies learning to self-feed. Made from BPA, lead, and phthalate-free high-grade food plastic, the thick handles are easy for uncoordinated hands to grasp.
This Baby Bjorn set includes two bibs in different sizes and features soft adjustable neck bands that won’t chafe your baby’s sensitive skin. The bibs are dishwasher-safe and have a sturdy spill pocket to catch any food that doesn’t quite make it into your baby’s mouth.
When it comes to bibs, we say the bigger the better. These oversized bibs from Aden + Anais are 9” x 23.5”—large enough to drape your baby’s shoulders during mealtime (and use as a burp cloth after nursing or bottle sessions). The 100% cotton muslin is pre-washed and super soft, and the whimsical prints are adorable.
bobo&boo Plant-Based 3-Pack of Bowls
These plant-based bowls are the perfect option for your granola baby. Made from sustainable bamboo, these beauties are 100% biodegradable and compostable (about as eco-friendly as a mealtime product can get). Free of BPA, toxins, and melamine, you can also microwave them and toss them in the dishwasher for easy clean up.
Ahimsa Smart Stainless Steel Smart Snacking Bowls
Ahimsa feeding gear is pediatrician-Mom designed and made from stainless steel, preventing any chemical transfer to your little one’s food. The tapered design is perfect for little hands, but these versatile bowls are built to last a lifetime.
Finding What’s Right for You
Albee Baby is the oldest family-owned specialty baby shop in the US, and we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best assortment of baby products anywhere, at fair prices, always. We’re committed to being an inclusive resource for parents, and hope you’re feeling empowered to find the right baby gear for your family. Still have questions? Feel free to contact our baby gear experts at 877.692.5233 or by email at [email protected].