Feeding Favorites Guide
As a feeding specialist and mom, I’ve used and trialed A LOT of products. I know it can be hard to pick things like spoons and cups. Know that there really isn’t a “wrong” choice for these items, but that some are easier to use and serve better purposes. So, let me break down all my favorites, when to use, and why I like them!
Num Num Spoons: These flat spoons are great! First, I like to use them without food during baby’s first few experiences in the high chair. Baby can practice bringing these spoons to their mouth and use them like teethers before puree or mashed solids are put on. Then, when they are introduced with food, baby is more familiar with them and more likely to accept bites! My favorite purees: avocado mashed with water, a ripe banana mashed, and sweet potato! No blending required.
Lalo Highchair: This is my favorite high chair by far. It’s lightweight, made of non-toxic materials, has a great support cushion, an adjustable footrest, and it looks great in the home! I have used for both of my littles and would select it again and again! My code “EATPLAYSAY” saves 10%!
Olababy Straw Cup: This cup is my absolute favorite! First, it can teach straw drinking by plugging the hole in the lid with your finger and squeezing the liquid up the straw. Once baby realizes that liquid comes up, their suck reflex usually kicks in and they start to drink on their own. I recommend introducing right after starting solids- so around 6-7 months of age. It also has a straw stopper so baby can’t pull the straw out and dump it over. And it makes a great open cup too when you take the top off. Your baby will use well into toddlerhood, making it a great purchase for now and later!
EZPZ Mini Mat: This suction mat sticks really well to most high chairs! It’s a great size and it divides food so baby can clearly see their choices. Plus, it’s great for toddlers, so you’ll get a lot of use out of it!
Bumkins Smock Bib: This is my all time favorite (I have several from different brands!) It is lightweight and has elastic around the wrists so no food ends up on the inside of the sleeves! It is machine washable (don’t put in the dryer). I have found that adding a little bit of baking soda to the bibs in the washer helps get out any stains from foods as well!
Lalo Infant Insert: Many high chairs are not well-designed for babies starting solids. That is because high chairs are made to GROW with baby into toddlerhood so you can get years of use out of them. That is great, BUT most babies benefit from lots of support early on. My favorite high chair comes with an infant insert that really helps baby sit up tall, reach the footrest, and have the ideal posture for self-feeding. Use “EATPLAYSAY” to save 10%!
EZPZ Tiny Cup: This open cup is the perfect size for little hands and new drinkers! I recommend offering a previously offered PUREE in the cup first and fill it to the brim. This helps little ones quickly understand that there is something in the cup worth drinking AND it brings a familiar taste to a new activity. Open cup drinking helps with jaw strength and oral coordination, so I recommend offering right when starting solids and practicing during meal times! You can add water to the puree to thin it out over time as baby becomes more successful with drinking and works towards independence. PSA: If you want a dupe for this cup that is half price, I like this one!
Crinkle Cutter: It’s $5 and has SO many uses. First, use it to slice soft solids that are slippery. It makes them wavy and gives baby a better grip on holding them. Cutting avocado, mango, peaches, banana, etc. is my fave! Then, when your little one becomes a toddler, this is a great and safe tool for them to help with food prep! They can cut up foods for dinner using this little tool- fun for them and helpful for you!
Nuby Masher: This tool quickly mashes down any food to make it safer to offer to baby. I like to mash down banana and add some peanut butter, or take a chili or mixed texture, add some water, and mash down so the texture is more cohesive. Take it with you to a restaurant so you can offer your food to your baby!
Nuby Dipeez: Oftentimes when self-feeding, babies will stick the opposite end of the spoon in their mouth, which can be great for teething, but not so great for ingesting food! With the two-sided spoon, no end is the “wrong” end, and both ends have different textures on them so your little is eating from two different spoons at once.
Catchy Food Catcher: This food catcher is something I didn’t think I would love until I actually used it, and now I can’t envision a meal without it! Babies are so messy (which is good), but your floor will be covered (which is not so ideal), so this really helps catch the mess. Also, food that falls on the catcher can be used again! My daughter is a spoon dropper, so this really comes in handy during meals. I can just pick it up and put it back on the tray! My floors aren’t covered in mess and food isn’t wasted. Plus, they make a version of this catcher for tons of different high chairs! Use code “EATPLAYSAY10” to save 10% at checkout!
Upward Spoons: The perfect little spoon for scooping! I recommend introducing this spoon around 9 months (or earlier if you want!) and model how to scoop purees and mashed foods with it! After baby’s first birthday, scooping should start to be more independent.
Olababy Training Spoons: Yes, it is more than okay to offer baby bites from a long-handle spoon! These are great because they are textured, light, and easy to scoop. If baby gets ahold of it, they won’t poke themselves with a hard end, too.
Num Num Spoons: These are fantastic first spoons! The short stick is the perfect length for self-feeding. The pack comes with a hollow spoon too that holds more puree or mashed solids. So, I recommend starting with the filled-in spoon so baby can self-feed little tastes of food, and then move to the hollowed one for bigger bites!
Olababy Spoon & Fork: This set is great for a child approaching 12 months of age. Using a fork is not expected until spoon use becomes independent, and most start using a fork around 15 months. The harder silicone fork in this package is great since little ones won’t hurt their teeth biting down on it!
Olababy Spoons: I LOVE these spoons- they are my favorite for 6-12 months. They have a nice flexible bowl of the spoon that makes scooping easy when baby starts to try and scoop, and they are a great length for self-feeding a pre-loaded spoon.
Munchkin Toon: This spoon is great because it’s a teether and a spoon ALL IN ONE! So, use in play when baby is 4-6 months old, and then pop some puree on the spoon and use in the high chair.
Nuby Dipeez: This two-sided spoon is GENIUS! There is no wrong end when both ends are a spoon! Love the lip block on these too, so baby can’t push it too far back. Each end is also a different type of spoon (flat with bumps, slight smooth bowl), so baby experiences two different types of spoons in one.
Munchkin Silicone Scoop: These are another great choice for 9-12 months and older! Short and sweet handle and soft bowl for scooping.
Munchkin White Hot Spoons: These are great for parents offering bites of foods! They are flat, which is preferred so baby can close their lips on the spoon, and the tips change color if the food is too warm. Plus, they are a great price!
Munchkin Raise Utensils: This stainless steel set is ideal for 18 months or older, as spoon and fork use become independent. These wash and wear well, as I have had for 2 years and use daily!
Nuby Teether: This is my favorite first teether - I buy it for pretty much every new mom I know. The bristles on this teether are soothing to baby’s gums, it doesn’t go too far back in the mouth, and it’s ring shape makes it easy to hold and mouth. It also comes with its own hygenic carrying case, which is just an added bonus.
Hollow Teethers: Great for a baby who is just grasping and bringing items to their mouth! No, they cannot choke themselves with this teether, as choking occurs at the level of the windpipe (which is way farther than baby can push back), but it may elicit some gagging as these sticks can go pretty far back. However, the best way to move a gag reflex back is to elicit it and work through it while strengthening the jaw! These can come in handy as baby wishes to bite further back in their mouth, and you get several teethers for a low price. Great for around 4-5 months and into toddlerhood!
Nuby Dipeez: These two sided spoons are great for starting solids, but even better as teethers first! Two different textured ends, and a lip block so baby can’t go too far back! Put these into baby’s play rotation around 4 months and encourage them to bring to their mouth- practicing that motor plan of self-feeding early!
Comotomo Teether: This “octopus” teether is my all-time favorite teether! It is easy to hold and has finger-like stubs that are great for baby to chomp on, without them going too far back to constantly gag! I recommend introducing this one around 4-5 months of age and continue to offer in play as baby nears 1.
Hedgehog Grasping Toy: This toy is a great first rattle and has pointed teether parts on top that are great for mouthing! I recommend introducing around 3-4 months once baby starts reaching for items in the play gym. Bringing a toy like this to their mouth is usually the first step for self-feeding (already, I know, how cool right?!)
Baby Banana: This one lives up to the hype. It’s a great first toothbrush for baby before their first tooth erupts. It’s easy to hold as it has two little handles, and the bristles provide nice texture to baby’s oral sensory system. I recommend introducing between 3-6 months of age, help baby hold at first, and then let them play and mouth it!
Jackie the Giraffe: With her thicker head and body, she helps baby open wide- great for once baby can grasp toys well around 4-5 months! This is a great teether to have in play as baby mouths other toys, too.
Itzy Ritzy Munch Mitt: This is a neat teether. Some little one’s love having this on their hand like a glove and mouth it, and others find it cumbersome and annoying. It’s not my favorite teether, but baby can also just hold it and mouth it, too (like both of my kids did!). It’s bumpy texture is beneficial for baby’s oral sensory system and I recommend using around 3-4 months.
Num Num Spoons: Spoons as teethers? You betcha. These flat spoons make great teethers before solids, which then makes them even more familiar to baby as they navigate the new world of solids. Putting food on a familiar spoon can really help baby have an enjoyable experience with first bites. Pop in play around 5 months!
Jelly Dog Teether: Easy to hold, and made with little nubs that make it easy for baby to bite on, it’s also a great choice for baby. I recommend using around 3-4 months and continuing to offer in play as baby nears 12 months of age.
Ark Grabber: This grabber is very tough- making it great for babies who have recently started solids and are starting to chew more! The resistance helps strengthen baby’s jaw, and the shape of this teether makes it easy to hold! It’s a little longer, so it goes further back in baby’s mouth, making it a great teether to help push the gag reflex back and practice chewing in the back of the mouth. Great for 6 months + and into toddlerhood!
Munchkin Toon: A spoon and a teether all in one! Great for bringing to restaurants and attaching to a busy mat, and using at mealtime! Baby can teeth on the square end or the spoon, and also practice scooping at mealtimes. It’s a two-in-one product and I love it! Introduce around 4-5 months in play, then bring to mealtimes!
Ark Y Chew: This one is also a tough teether, but great for building jaw strength! The shorter ends are great for biting on both sides, and they all have different textured ends. I recommend offering around 9 months as chewing skills continue to build for harder foods.
Olababy Straw Cup: This is #1 because it’s my all time favorite cup! I love that it’s made from silicone, has a straw stopper so baby can’t pull the straw out, has a weighted bottom so it’s harder to knock over, is a great size for little hands, and doubles as an open cup. My FAVORITE part is that it teaches straw drinking! Plug the hole in the lid with your finger and gently squeeze the cup so liquid goes up the straw and into baby’s mouth. They quickly learn that if they suck on the straw, liquid will come up and BAM, they just learned how to drink from a straw. Great for water, smoothies, and milk!
Honey Bear Straw Cup: This cup has a simple design that is easy to clean! Just squeeze the bear’s tummy and the liquid goes up! Baby can then take sips by themselves or you can continue to squeeze as they need assistance. Start using 6 months + to teach straw drinking and you can continue to use into toddlerhood as your little one becomes independent!
Tum Tum Cup with Handles: This cup is great for learning how to drink from a straw! Fill up at least halfway with water, cover the small hole in the lid with your finger and squeeze the cup to push the liquid up. Love that it has handles for easy holding AND it has a straw stopper so baby can’t pull the straw out. The narrow design of the straw also helps baby not suck up TOO much water, which is great as they learn! Great for water and milk!
EZPZ Tiny Cup: This is a perfect sized cup for teaching open cup drinking! Little hands can hold it and it has a nice weight to the bottom. My favorite trick to teach parents is to fill it to the brim with a familiar PUREE that they have eaten on a spoon, and bring it to baby’s lips so they immediately get a taste of what is inside! And you don’t have to tilt it too much to give them some. Over time you can add some water to it so it’s not so thick and you work towards drinking plain water, but that skill takes time and isn’t expected to be done independently until 18 months. So starting at 6 months gives baby plenty of time to practice!
Nuby Open Cup: It does exactly the same things a the EZPZ Tiny Cup…. but it’s half the price. I have both cups and they work the same. So pick whichever one you like!
Num Num Spill-Proof Cup: This cup has a free-flowing straw and is decently spill proof, making it a great choice from an oral motor perspective! Valveless straws are the best as they don’t restrict water flow and baby doesn’t have to put their jaw in an atypical position to drink (like biting or using excessive force). Love this one for travel, and the handles are great! Great for water and milk!
Thermos Funtainer: This is my favorite travel cup for littles 10 months and older since it’s very easy to open and shut and the straw is skinnier, so not as much liquid can be sucked through! It also comes in lots of sizes and colors so if your little one likes it, you have options for a long while! Great for water and milk!
Lollaland Weighted Straw Cup: This cup is my favorite weighted straw because it does not have a valve. A valve is a piece of material in the straw itself that is a spill proof feature BUT it requires babies to suck extremely hard to get liquid out, since a lot of force is needed to get the valve open. This cup is not 100% spill proof when the top is down, but when the top is pulled over and the straw is pinched down instead, it is. The handles are also removable so it easily fits in the side pocket of a diaper bag for travel! This is one of my favorite cups for milk since it’s easiest to clean and there aren’t a lot of nooks and crannies.
Elk & Friends Stainless Steel Cups: This cup is great for toddlers who already drink from a straw very well! Perfect for milk or smoothies, the straw is a little bigger in diameter, so bigger sips come out. Also very easy to clean and plastic-free!
Lalo Silicone Bib: This one lays flush on the chest and goes all the way up to the chin to protect clothes!
Bumkins Smock Bib: My all-time favorite bib! You can throw in the washer (a little baking soda helps get the stains out!), and the wrists have elastic to help protect baby’s clothes from food. And it’s a great bang for your buck!
OXO Tot Bib: I love the strong Velcro on the neck of these! These bibs are my fave for on-the-go for two reasons. 1- the bibs roll up and button together to travel really well! And 2- the bucket of the bib is a little structured, so you can place bites in the bib and baby can pinch them and self-feed while out! So, it doubles as a plate!
BapronBaby Bib: The cutest little bib! I love the high neck to protect the entire front of baby’s clothes and the prints are adorable! I love giving these as a gift and using when baby wears short sleeves, too!
Lalo Smock Bib: I love this smock bib, too! It’s made of a thicker material, and provides great coverage, has elastic around the wrists, and easy snaps to secure it around baby’s neck. You can throw it in the wash to clean.
Mushie Silicone Bib: This bib has a nice and structured bucket to catch bites of food (and then you can re-offer or baby can go digging in their bib for pieces!) and the prints are adorable!
Nuby Masher: This thing is great! And you can take it on the go. This tool quickly mashes down any food to make it safer to offer to baby. I like to mash down banana and add some peanut butter, or take a chili or mixed texture, add some water, and mash down so the texture is more cohesive. Take it with you to a restaurant so you can offer your food to your baby! And it’s very affordable at about $5-6.
Fruit Slicer: Slices berries and other fruits and veggies in seconds! It makes them a thin, chip like shape, which is great since harder berries can be a choking risk if offered in small chunks or round shapes (think blueberries).
Crinkle Cutter: It’s only $5 and has SO many uses. First, use it to slice soft solids that are slippery. It makes them wavy and gives baby a better grip on holding them. Cutting avocado, mango, peaches, banana, etc. is my fave! Then, when your little one becomes a toddler, this is a great and safe tool for them to help with food prep! They can cut up foods for dinner using this little tool- fun for them and helpful for you!
Toddler Knife Set: Include your little one in kitchen prep. Let them cut up fruit for a smoothie or parfait bowl, or let them slice some tomatoes for a sandwich! Little ones eat more and try more foods when they have exposure to them OUTSIDE of meals. So, food prep as much as you can!
OXO Grape Cutter: Pop a grape inside and push the button with your thumb and BAM, grapes are quartered for you! The simplest tool that makes your life so much easier.
Toddler Kitchen Set: Just like the toddler knife set, this toddler kitchen set is great to get your little one involved in food prep! They can help cut fruit, peel veggies, and help use the crinkle cutter.
Olababy Suction Plate: I love Olababy’s feeding products, and this is no different! A great option for a suction plate with dividers and 100% food grade silicone.
Lalo Bowls: We love these silicone bowls from Lalo! They’re sturdy and a great size for toddlers.
EZPZ Tiny Bowl: This suction bowl is kind of like a plate and a bowl at the same time. I love that the sides of the bowl are low, which helps baby with scooping and seeing their food. I’ve had mine for two years and it’s held up great!
EZPZ Mini Mat: This suction mat sticks really well to most high chairs! It’s a great size and it divides food so baby can clearly see their choices. Plus, it’s great for toddlers, so you’ll get a lot of use out of it!
Weesprout Divider Plates: These are great silicone divider plates for littles as they approach one year of age and beyond (and stop chucking their plates so much!). They also come with lids, so great for traveling or packing for daycare!
Olababy Bowl: One of my favorite bowls! Suctions to the high chair and has a little lip on the side to help baby scoop and keep the food on the spoon! Also comes with a lid, making it a good travel option, too.
Weesprout Divider Plates: These are great silicone divider plates for littles as they approach one year of age and beyond (and stop chucking their plates so much!). They also come with lids, so great for traveling or packing for daycare!
Klean Kanteen: I love this for toddlers 2 years and older! Twist the lid to have the silicone straw pop up, and then twist back to seal. Spill-proof and skinny enough to fit in a carseat cup holder! Plus, it’s bigger than most other water bottles, so as your toddler’s water intake increases, you don’t have to switch to a different cup!
Lalo Booster Seat: My favorite for at home, and it’s easy to take on the go, too! My favorite part is the ease of cleaning! Not a lot of places that food can hide, and it’s extremely durable. “EATPLAYSAY” saves 10%.
Weesprout Snack Container: Love these silicone travel snack containers! Pop some melts or Puffs inside and let baby stick their hand in to pinch and grab. The top is spill proof, but flexible so littles can get their hands inside!
Elk & Friends Stainless Steel Cups: This cup is great for toddlers who already drink from a straw very well! Perfect for milk or smoothies, the straw is a little bigger in diameter, so bigger sips come out. Also very easy to clean. They come with lids to seal them if you’d ever like to use them for storage!
Munchkin Utensils: This stainless steel utensil set is perfect for little hands. They wash well, and are a great transition set when your little one is ready to move off of silicone utensils! I recommend using 18 months and older.
WeeSprout Sectioned Plates: These suction plates come with lids, so they are perfect to use at home or on the go! I like bringing my own tableware for babies and toddlers so they don’t accidentally break a ceramic plate. And familiarity is key. No need to worry about a mess from the restaurant, you can just put the lid on and clean up at home.
Stasherbags: I like these to host dirty utensils after eating at the restaurant. That way you don’t have to worry about dirty utensils in your bag or cleaning them there. You can just put them in and go. This bag is great quality and can also be used for storing snacks, etc.!
Travel Spoon + Fork with Case: I love this little silicone set because the spoon and fork are nice and short- which makes it easy for baby and toddler to self-feed. Plus the little carrying case makes them easy to transport! Just wash it all when you get home!
Oxo Bibs: This bib doubles as a place to put pieces of food for your older baby as the bucket is very wide and structured. Then, just roll it up when you’re all done eating and button it up! Makes it easy to travel with.
Stainless Steel Travel Spoon and Fork with Case: This is another great set for older toddlers who use stainless steel at home! The carrying case is also great and washable- so you can put dirty utensils back in after use and just wash when you get home!
Highchair/Shopping Cart Cover: A MUST HAVE for both restaurants and the grocery store! I love how it provides some cushion for smaller babies, and it has a drink older and teether holder! Just pop in the washer when you’re done and it’s good to go.
WeeSprout Snack Containers: A great option to hold snacks & I love that it’s silicone! Easy to clean too as no little compartments that trap food.
Busy Baby Mat: This is a lifesaver. There is a larger version, but depending on how large your table is at the restaurant, it might be too big. So smaller can be safer! Suction it to the table, use the two inside sections as a place to put food, attach teethers or utensils to the strings and nothing will hit the floor. PRO TIP: If you’re having trouble getting the mat to stick on the table, put a few drops of water or coconut oil under them to help them stick.
Silicone Bento Box: This is great for on the go, and it’s super cute! Great to send to daycare or just pack on a day out. Better yet- have your little one help you pack it so they get some experience with food prep, and they are more likely to pack what they eat themselves!
Hiccapop Travel Booster Seat: So you don’t have to lug your high chair to grandma’s house or on vacation, this travel high chair is a great option! It can secure to a dining chair like a booster or just be used on the floor. It has a wide seat, so it can grow with your baby into toddlerhood. TIP: Roll up some towels or blankets on either side of baby if they don’t seem so stable in this chair. Can help them sit up better!
Masher Bowl: The best $7 you’ll spend, and it comes with a lid! When Paul was just starting solids, I would bring this with me to help mash down any foods we were eating at the restaurant (beans with guacamole, rice mixture, oatmeal with berries, etc.) Just a quick mash down and he could eat what we were eating, too! You can use at home as well to quick mash a banana or other foods.
Olababy Bowl: It has a suction bottom and comes with a lid, making it so great for travel! And then use it at home, too. Simple and useful!
For more of my favorites for littles, check out my Amazon Storefront! I have favorite toys, books, feeding utensils, and more - all organized!
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