The Best Bowls & Plates for Babies

Suction bowls and plates are all the rage when it comes to baby and toddler eating tools, and for good reason. Silicone suction bases like the one on this Babylist-exclusive bowl from AEIOU (and others on this list) keep the bowl secured to the table or high chair tray, meaning food stays where it’s supposed to—not all over the floor. The sleek look and neutral color of this bowl fits in with just about any decor, and since it’s made entirely of food-grade silicone, it should stay stain-free and looking beautiful through all your little one’s eating stages.

What if baby doesn’t finish their meal? No need to bring out the Tupperware (or worse, throw the food away)—this bowl comes with a handy lid, so it’s easy to store and reheat leftovers. The bowl and lid are microwave, fridge and dishwasher (top rack) safe, just keep in mind that the lid isn’t designed to be leakproof against liquids.

Other Bowls We Love

This two-in-one plate is essentially all you need for mealtime messes. The BPA-free silicone plate has a large built-in placemat, which suctions directly to the table. You can even use it in the microwave to warm food, and throw it in the dishwasher for cleanup. And it has handy plate dividers, you know, so your little one can avoid the dreaded food-touching.

The downside of the attached placemat is that it does have a pretty large footprint, which some parents said can make it difficult to fit in the dishwasher and microwave and store in a cabinet. And since it’s made entirely of silicone, you might notice that it absorbs odors from hot food or soap.

Other Plates We Love

This bamboo dishware is so cool, you’ll want to eat from it. The material is sustainable, environmentally friendly and naturally antimicrobial, so it’s resistant to mold and mildew. Both the bowl and plate also feature a silicone suction on bottom—while that part isn’t made of bamboo, it’s still really helpful for preventing spills. 

The main thing to keep in mind is that bamboo is hand-wash only and can’t be used in the microwave.

Other Bamboo Sets We Love

If you’re looking for durable, long-lasting mealtime gear that’s free from plastic but still practical, stainless steel checks so many boxes. Each piece features a sturdy-yet-lightweight stainless steel inset that’s naturally resistant to breakage, stains and odors, plus a colorful silicone sleeve with suction cups to help keep things in place on the table. And both the inset and sleeve are dishwasher-safe, so cleanup is quick and easy

The only trade-offs: stainless steel can’t go in the microwave, and the suction ring is made of silicone, so there’s still at least some plastic involved.

Other Stainless Steel Sets We Love

Glass might not be the first material that comes to mind for baby feeding gear, but the right design can be both safe and practical. Each piece in this set from Béaba is made from durable, thermal shock–resistant glass that can go from fridge to microwave to table without risk of cracking or shattering. And the silicone suction base keeps the plate and bowl steady during mealtime, helping reduce further risk of drops and breakage.

Parents love that glass is naturally free from chemicals and won’t stain or absorb odors, making it a sustainable and long-lasting choice. Just keep in mind that glass is heavier than the other options on this list, and while it’s sturdy, it can still break if dropped.