Starting solid food is a huge milestone for babies.
They’ve spent months only drinking milk and now they’re ready to venture into new tastes and textures.
As exciting as this time can be, its equally as important to make sure you’re prepared with the right supplies to make your baby’s and your time at the table an enjoyable experience.
Having gone through introducing solids to four kids now, there is one thing that has always been very important during those times:
Finding the best baby spoons for the stage they are in.
Here’s our handy guide to the best baby spoons for introducing solids, the best baby spoons for self-feeding and the best toddler utensils for when they’ve graduated from infant spoons.
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A baby who is just starting solids will probably need a different spoon than a 13-month old self-feeding toddler.
Take the time and research spoons (we’ve done that for you!) to find the best one for your baby.
Best Baby Spoons for Introducing Solids
When your baby is ready to begin solid food, look for spoons that are easy for you as the parent to maneuver.
During this time a baby won’t be holding the spoon as much, so it’s important that the spoons you choose are comfortable for you, easy to maneuver and work well for a baby with a small mouth. You’ll also want to choose spoons that are soft enough for a baby to chew on without hurting herself.
Here are our choices for baby spoons for introducing solids to babies.
SPUNI – Baby’s First Feeding Spoon
BPA, PVC and phthalate free
Gentle on baby’s gums
Dishwasher safe
The Spuni baby spoon is unique because it features a tulip-shaped design at the back of the mouthpiece that encourages a baby’s natural sucking reflex. This can make transitioning from breast or bottle easier.
The design of Spuni also allows it to hold just enough food (but not too much!) for a baby’s mouth size, preventing choking and wasted food. It is a one-of-a-kind design that will serve beginners well.
Spuni includes two Baby’s First Feeding Spoons and a clear traveling case.
The Olababy training spoon is a great spoon for introducing babies to baby food purees. It’s plant sprout shaped spoon scoops up food easily and holds it for feeding.
The soft silicone material is perfect for teething babies to chew on without hurting their gums and helps babies transition to self-feeding by bending and flexing for easy use when the time is right.
The Olababy training spoon is made of food-grade material and is dishwasher safe.
This baby spoon is perfect for moms and babies on the go. Because a food chamber is attached, you can squeeze the amount you need directly onto the spoon, eliminating the need for a separate bowl and spoon.
Everything can be done with one hand which makes for easy cleanup.
The Boon Squirt Baby Food Dispensing spoon comes apart for easy cleaning, is BPA, PVC and phthalate free and dishwasher safe.
After a while, your baby will develop the coordination to start reaching for the spoon and wanting to feed himself. When he does this, you’ll know it’s time for a baby spoon that makes self-feeding easy for him.
Choose a baby spoon that is designed to fit in his hand properly, isn’t too heavy, won’t slip, fits comfortably in his mouth and won’t hurt if chewed on. The better it can perform these functions, the smoother the learning curve will be for him. Here are our choices for baby spoons for self-feeding.
ChooMee FlexiDip Starter Spoon
Flexible silicone spoon
Firm handle for gripping
Dishwasher safe
ChooMee’s FlexiDip spoon is the perfect spoon to promote self feeding in babies. It’s multi-directional channels help lock in food so no matter which way baby decides to dip the spoon, the food won’t run off and baby will be rewarded.
FlexiDip is made with 100% silicone and features a soft spoon mouthpiece to be gentle on a baby’s gums and a firmer handle for easy holding and maneuvering.
Beginning self feeders will enjoy this spoon because they will be rewarded with food from each dip in their bowl which will cut down on frustration and make the transition to learning how to self feed easier.
Rather not use a plastic spoon to feed your baby? This is the spoon for you. Avanchy has made an organic bamboo spoon with a soft silicone tip that is easy for babies to use and chew on without hurting themselves.
The bamboo handle is stronger than wood and a sturdy alternative to plastic. It’s also environmentally friendly so you can feel good about choosing it for your baby.
The silicone spoon detaches from the bamboo base and should be hand washed.
With these spoons you won’t have to guess if baby’s food is too hot. Munchkin Safety Spoons have a “white hot system” that turns the tip of the spoon white when it comes in contact with food that is too hot.
These spoons are great for self-feeders because of their built-in safety system. It’s another layer of protection.
Munchkin Safety Spoons also have a soft tip to ensure babies can chew on them without hurting their sensitive gums.
Once your baby passes 12 months, they are considered a toddler and their needs will change.
They’re now ready for toddler sized spoons and forks! Toddler utensils are usually shorter than adult sized utensils to allow for greater control and they may have a slightly wider mouthpiece to accommodate larger toddler bites.
When searching for the best utensils for your toddler, look for spoons and forks with good grip to keep them from slipping, shorter handles for easier control and rounded tips (on forks) so they won’t get hurt by sharp edges. Here are our top picks for the best toddler utensils.
Grabease First Self Feeding Spoon and Fork Utensil Set for Toddlers
Choke protection barrier
Ergonomically designed handle
BPA, lead and phthalates free
With safety in mind, the Grabease spoon and fork set are the perfect utensil set for toddlers.
A choke protection barrier at the base of the mouthpiece ensures that they can’t push the utensil too far into their mouth causing them to choke. And the handle is ergonomically designed to be wide at the base for easy gripping and holding by young toddler hands.
Grabease toddler utensils are made from non-toxic plastic and are BPA and pthalate free. The set comes with a travel pouch and a set of stickers for more fun.
Lullababy spoons come in two sizes. The longer spoon is good for feeding a baby and the shorter spoons could work well for a toddler who is feeding himself.
The handles are ergonomically designed to fit little hands and to keep from slipping. The spoon is shallow enough to allow a toddler to retrieve all the food in one bite.
These spoons are made from food grade silicone, and are free from BPA and phthalates.
A good spoon can be the difference between a happy mealtime and a frustrating one. Taking the time to choose the best baby spoons for each stage of your child’s development will make feeding baby a much more enjoyable experience.
Jennifer is founder and editor of formodernkids.com and mom of four fun-loving kids. Jennifer created For Modern Kids to share her journey through motherhood and provide helpful resources with other moms in the day-to-day grind of breastfeeding, soccer practice and picky eaters.
