Best Baby Feeding Tools

Looking for a feeding set to give as a gift? This set from AEIOU (a Babylist-exclusive brand) includes a suction plate, a suction bowl with lid, a bib, a sippy cup and two long-handled spoons, all made from smooth silicone and packaged in a sleek, super giftable box.

When it comes to bibs, bigger is better. These silky soft muslin cloth bibs are 9 inches wide and 23.5 inches around. They double as burp cloths, so they’re big enough to cover an adult shoulder. And on solid-food-eating babies, they wrap all the way around both shoulders (using snap closures) and reach down nearly to the waist, so you’ll know your kiddo is well covered. When mealtime is over, you can just toss these bibs in the washer.

This bib is genius. Half fabric and half silicone, it has a huge pocket to catch spills and can be quickly rinsed off after mealtime is over. As if that wasn’t enough to woo any parent, the entire bib can be deep cleaned in the washing machine (the food-grade silicone can withstand the spin cycle). And, unlike similar bibs, the fabric top half folds down into the pocket so it won’t take up much space in your diaper bag for mealtimes out and about. With an adjustable Velcro neckband, you’ll get years of use out of this bib.

A spoon will likely be your new self-feeder’s first utensil, and baby will need something they can easily grip but that’s also easy on their mouth. The food-grade silicone grip and wide shape of the handle makes this spoon ergonomic for tiny hands, and the tip (also food-grade silicone) is perfect for teething babies who need softer utensils on sensitive gums. And check out the bumps on the tip—teething babies will love the sensory experience, not to mention it helps your little one know how far to bite on the spoon.

You know how kids like to test the effects of gravity by launching anything and everything from a high chair? Well, these bowls aren’t going anywhere—their built-in suction base securely adheres them to any smooth surface. Each bowl in the set is a different size, and the smallest one comes with a lid.

Just as lightweight as plastic, the ezpz plate is made from food-safe, high-grade silicone that can go in the dishwasher, microwave and oven. The plate stays put on highchair trays or tables, and divided sections prevent your toddler from having to “chase” food across the surface with their utensil (or hand). Plus, the surrounding placemat border will catch any overflow. ezpz offers mats with built-in bowls too.

Getting the hang of scooping up food takes skill, something your little one doesn’t have initially. That means food often gets pushed around and off the plate in an attempt to get it onto the spoon, or the entire plate gets flipped over. But not with this plate solves. The curved, bowl-like lip keeps food from “getting away” until your kiddo learns how to scoop like a champ, and the weighted base makes it heavy enough to stay upright on the table without the suction of most other toddler-proof plates (and despite your little eater’s most enthusiastic scooping).

Everything you need for mealtime in one fell swoop? Yes, please. This set comes with an easy-clean silicone bib and a spoon and fork that little fingers can grip. The cup’s wide base and the plate’s unique shape were designed to prevent tipping over, and all items can go through the dishwasher, too.

This silicone, dishwasher-safe placement is the perfect spot to spread out your little one’s meals at home or when dining out. The raised edges keep food on the mat, and it wipes clean in a cinch. Then when your child is done eating, it rolls right up and fits in your diaper bag. The dreamy cloud design isn’t just for the aesthetic, either; it’s shaped to fit most high chairs and is big enough to cover a wide swath of table tops (it’s slip resistant too).

If your baby isn’t quite ready to use spoons at every meal yet, but they still won’t stop staring at what you’re eating, lunging for your food and generally making it known that they want to eat the “real stuff,” self-feeder training utensils like this one really come in handy. Just put a slice of fruit or some cooked veggies in it and hand it over to your little one to let them gnaw away. (We also love adding chilled food to help teething babies soothe their sore gums.) Even though this one from Munchkin is made of mesh, parents say it cleans easily in the dishwasher and won’t wear down.