Starting solids is FUN! But, it can be messy and a bit overwhelming, and you might not know where to start, and what’s really needed! Truth is that you don’t need too much, but there are a lot of important things to keep in mind to set yourself up for the best possible outcome!

Here is my quick guide to starting solids featuring my favorite products that make mealtimes a bit easier for both you and baby!

Baby’s First 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.
This crinkle cutter is $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!
The BEST cup for babies!: 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!
This tiny open cup is the perfect size for little hands and for 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!
This two-sided spoon is the BEST! And $5 for two!: 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.
This smock bib 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!
My favorite for at home and on the go! This food masher is great! 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!
My favorite divided plate that STICKS! This suction mat actually sticks really well! It’s a great size for most high chairs 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!
The most supportive high chair! 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%!
The 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%!
Saving one of my faves for last! The 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!