Most babies typically show an interest in and can start self-feeding from around six months. While it may be messier than feeding your little one yourself, self-feeding should be encouraged as an important aspect of overall child development. By self-feeding, a child can improve their fine motor skills, gain a sense of independence, and improve their communication skills.
Obviously, self-feeding also means purchasing suitable utensils which may be overwhelming considering the many options in the market. You must also make child-specific considerations such as development capabilities, and allergies. Luckily, we have gone through all the trouble and lined up the best baby utensils for self feeding so you don’t have to.
Table of Contents
Best Baby Utensils For Self Feeding
1. Best Self-Feeding Baby Spoon Overall
Specifications
- Non-toxic materials
- Firm and safe grip
- Gentle on gums and teeth
- Single piece design
- Easy to clean
The Sperric Silicone Baby Spoons are excellent for your baby’s self-feeding journey because it’s made from food-grade, non-toxic materials, these spoons are free from BPA, PVC, phthalates, and lead. This 100% soft silicone spoon is gentle on gums and includes a teething end to help ease your baby’s teething discomfort. The spoon has a single-piece design which ensures a reduced risk of choking.
Speaking of choking, each spoon has a ventilation choke barrier to minimize choking risks. Also, the scooping end of the spoon is shallow enough to allow small amounts of food per bite. The handles are textured, ensuring a firm grip that helps with self-feeding. They are also the right size and length for little hands.
The Sperric Silicone Baby Spoons are easy to clean. The soft and bendable quality of the spoons allows their textured handles to be cleaned thoroughly. They are dishwasher-friendly and heat resistant, allowing cleaning with hot water. They also come in various colors, making self-feeding a fun experience for your little one.
2. Best Overall Baby Fork and Spoon Set
Specifications
- Food grade materials
- Ergonomic design
- Anti-choking design
- Rounded edges
- Easy to clean
If you are looking for a fork and spoon set, then the PandaEar Self Feeding Baby Utensils Set is your best option. The colorful set makes self-feeding engaging and fun for the baby. The short, rounded handles of the cutlery allow for an easy grip, and therefore easy self-feeding, for children from six months old. The anti-choking design consists of a choke barrier preventing the insertion of the entire fork or spoon in the baby’s mouth.
This self-feeding set is made of food-grade materials, which means that it is free of BPA, BPS, PVC, phthalates, lead, and cadmium. The single-piece design of both the fork and spoon also reduce the choking hazard as there are no detachable parts that the baby could choke on. Made of high-quality plastic, the edges of the fork are purposely rounded to protect the baby’s mouth from being scrapped or punctured.
Concerning hygiene, this set is easy to clean. It can either be hand-washed or placed on the top rack of your dishwasher. You can also sterilize this set in a microwave sterilizer for between 1 to 2 minutes for safe and effective sterilization. The PandaEar Baby Utensil Set is the perfect way to start your baby’s self-feeding journey.
3. Best Eco-Friendly/Sustainable Baby Cup
Specifications
- Non-toxic materials
- 3 in 1 design
- Perfect size67y3e]f
- Eco-friendly
- Anti-spill
By the age of 1, most children will have begun using a cup either in tandem with or instead of a bottle. So you are ready to choose your baby’s cup, look no further than the Miniware 1-2-3 Sip! Training Cup. This cup will ‘grow’ with your child as they learn to drink independently. Its 3-in-1 design enables advancing from straw to spout until finally mastering a cup, all the while fitting perfectly in little hands.
Made primarily from cassava, this plant-based cup is free from BPA, PVC, petroleum plastic, phthalates, melamine, and chemical additives. Unlike other PLA, it has been reinforced to make it less brittle and more durable, ensuring long-term use that is beneficial for the health of your child and the environment. This reinforcement allows it to be dishwasher-friendly in temperatures of up to 140c. This cup is also compostable, benefiting the environment after its usefulness.
Its simple design also makes it easy to clean and carry anywhere. The non-drip lid and ergonomically designed spout make up the anti-spill mechanism of this cup. The soft silicone straw is also gentle on gums and teeth and can help with teething discomfort. Its neutral earth tone colors make it great for both boys and girls.
4. Best Suction and Storage Baby Bowl
Specifications
- Safe materials
- Easy to clean
- Perfect size
- Strong suction
- No-leaks lid
Bowls are great for helping your baby start self-feeding, and the KingKam Suction Bowls are the best of them all. These bowls come with a sizable suction cup with a firm grip on most surfaces. They also come in a set of 3 bowls which gives you value for money. Made of 100% pure silicone, the bowls are free from BPA, latex, lead, phthalates, and non-toxic silicone.
The bowls are perfectly sized for use as a baby’s first bowl and beyond. Leak-proof lids ensure that you can carry your baby’s food virtually anywhere and cover any left-over food. The lids are also clear, allowing you to see into each bowl without opening it. The bowls are refrigerator-friendly, further facilitating the storage of food.
Cleaning these bowls is a breeze. They can either be hand-washed or washed safely in a dishwasher. The bowls can also be safely disinfected in a microwave. Unlike plastic bowls, it is impossible to break these silicone bowls, adding to their safety and longevity. The KingKam Suction Bowls are a purchase you will not regret.
5. Best Self-Feeding Baby Plate Overall
Specifications
- Strong suction
- Perfect fit
- Safe materials
- Convenient
- Easy to clean
Divided plates are a great option for picky eaters who don’t like their food to touch. The Bumkins Silicone Grip Dish is a fantastic option for caregivers and kids. With a strong suction plate, it is impossible for your child to dislodge the plate. The plate also has a straight edge that allows self-feeding without too much mess, and sections are specifically designed for toddler food portions.
The plate fits perfectly on most highchair trays, and the sections are designed specifically for toddler food portions. Made from platinum cured silicone, the plates are made from guaranteed 100% silicone, free from any harmful by-products. The plate is food safe and free from BPA, PVC, phthalate, and lead. It also does not contain petroleum-based plastics and other toxic chemicals found in plastics.
The plates can be used in both very low and very high temperatures. They can be used safely in the freezer, refrigerator, oven, or microwave. Cleaning can be done by hand washing using unscented detergent or by putting the plate on the top rack of the dishwasher with natural soap. For deep cleaning, the plate can be boiled.
6. Best Self-Feeding Accessory: Travelling Baby Bib
Specifications
- Adjustable
- Excellent for travel
- Safe material
- Easy to clean
- Value for money
Self-feeding is not complete without a bib. Whether at home or (especially) on the go, the Happy Healthy Parent EZ-Clean Silicone Bib is essential. The neckband has adjustable button closures that keep the bib securely in place as your baby plays and grows. The bib is made from 100% food-grade silicone that is safe and durable. The silicone is also waterproof and resistant to stains and mildew, ensuring the long-term use of the bib.
The front pocket is designed to stay open, guaranteeing all bits of falling food will be caught, and your child’s clothes will be protected. The waterproof bib prevents liquid spills and stains as well. It also travels well as you can give it a quick wipe, roll up the bib and carry it home to wash. Washing is easy as it only requires a quick wash in warm soapy water to get perfectly clean.
This easy-to-clean, travel-friendly bib saves you time and money too! No longer will you have to discard stained or mildew-damaged bibs as this bib is both stain-proof and mildew-proof. Plus, your child’s clothes will be adequately protected, so you won’t have to spend hours dealing with stains or money replacing ruined clothes. The bibs also come in many bright colors that your child will love.
7. Best Alternative Self-Feeding Plate: All-in-One Placemat + Plate
Specifications
- Strong suction
- Plate and mat combo
- Less mess
- Easy to clean
- Promotes self-feeding
What’s better than a suction plate? A suction plate and placemat combo like the ezpz Happy Mat provides a combined plate and placemat that securely attaches to the table via self-sealing suctions. The partitioned plate is a visual reminder for the caregiver to serve a well-balanced meal and a fun way to display food to the child. The portion sizes are designed to contain adequate food portions for toddlers.
The Happy Mat is made from excellent quality, hypoallergenic, 100% pure silicone free from BPA, BPS, PVC, latex, and phthalates. The pure silicone makes this mat durable, flexible, and resistant to corrosion or fading. The mat catches all the mess, making for easy clean-up after mealtime. It is also dishwasher friendly therefore easy to clean.
It is safe for use in both a microwave and an oven, making it easy to heat up or keep food warm. You can also stack and carry up to 4 mats as you serve the food. The mat’s beveled edges make it hard for small children to flip it. It also comes in various exciting colors to make self-feeding a fun experience for your child.
What to Check While buying the Best Baby Utensils for Self-Feeding
The abundance of options for baby self-feeding utensils can make purchasing them feel overwhelming. There are a wide range of materials and an even wider range of manufacturers, with various policies and values regarding how they source and process their materials. Regardless, a decision must be made. So here are two important things to look out for when buying baby utensils.
1. Safety
Whether you are buying a plate or a fork, your child’s safety is paramount. The first consideration of safety concerns materials, i.e. what is the utensil made of? Nowadays, companies make a point to declare their products toxin-free and add a long list of what toxins are not in their products. Go through that list carefully and choose the safest utensil possible.
The second aspect of safety is the product’s design. The utensil must be designed so that it is efficient for its purpose and safe for use. There should be no sharp edges or pointy parts that could hurt the child if they accidentally mishandle the utensil. After all, self-feeding utensils should allow you some measure of guaranteed safety while your child is eating.
2. Durability
No one wants to be buying new self-feeding utensils every so often. So while selecting safe materials for baby’s self-feeding utensils, make sure you get durable utensils as well. The cost of constant replacement of broken, stained, faded, or otherwise damaged utensils can add up in the long run. Getting durable materials will save you money in the long run.
It is worth noting that many durable utensils may be a little more expensive. However, this cost is well worth it when considering how long the utensil will last. This is especially important for people with more than one child or child-care establishment. The utensils can be safely used for years to come.
Best Baby Utensils For Self Feeding FAQ
1. When do babies start self-feeding?
Most babies start self-feeding around 6 or 7 months of age. They mostly use their hands because it is easier for them, but they can use some utensils like cups with close supervision. However, from about 12-14 months of age, they have better fine motor control and can better handle utensils such as cups, spoons, and forks with less assistance. It is important to encourage self-feeding as soon as your child shows interest.
2. Why should I buy baby self-feeding utensils?
Self-feeding utensils are important in developing a child’s independence with regard to food. They are designed with little hands in mind, so they are easy to use for children. As feed themselves and learn to use their utensils, babies learn confidence, improved motor skills, and an overall sense of independence necessary for their overall development. Self-feeding utensils are also designed to make mealtimes easier for both the caregiver and child.
3. How do I best teach my baby how to use a cup?
Babies learn by observation and practice. Your baby has probably watched you drink from a cup before and may already know what to do but struggle with the execution. Choose a suitable self-feeding cup and place a small amount of your chosen drink in it. Guide the child verbally and physically on taking small sips. Practice this often, and they should be a pro in no time.
4. With so many options, how do I choose the right self-feeding utensils?
Start early and research widely. Research can involve going on the Internet, but you could also talk to other mothers and get some great recommendations. If you are going online, look at both the positive and negative reviews to get a balanced view of the product. Finally, trust your instincts; you will always do right by your baby. Our guide today should help you get started on picking the best utensils.
