Do You Need A Plate For Baby Led Weaning?
Investing in quality plates and bowls will help you succeed in baby-led weaning.
Since it’s common for self-feeding babies to make a mess during mealtimes, feeding utensils will keep your baby’s food separate and less tempting to smear all over the high chair tray.
And for you, mama, this also means easier cleanup.
Do Babies Need Their Own Plates?
Since your little one will be using plates as they grow older, it’s a good practice for babies starting solids to have their own plates.
When Should I Introduce Plates To My Baby?
This is totally up to you, mama. You can put the food on your baby’s highchair tray at first or serve your little one’s first foods on a plate or bowl from the get-go.
What Plates Are Best For Baby Led Weaning?
The 3 Safest Materials
1. Food-Grade Silicone
This is the most popular material because it’s lightweight, shatterproof, dishwasher safe, stain-resistant, non-stick, and easy to clean.
Are Silicone Baby Plates Safe?
Food-grade silicone plates do not react to different foods or liquids and are approved by the FDA as a food-safe substance. (1)
2. Stainless Steel
Durable, rustproof, stain-resistant, sustainable, but it can be more expensive than other materials.
3. Bamboo
Environmentally friendly, easy to clean, no chemical, naturally antimicrobial, but not dishwasher safe because the wood will expand when exposed to extreme heat.
Bamboo plates also have a limited lifespan of up to two years because they eventually get damaged by moisture.
Are Bamboo Plates Good For Baby?
Bamboo plates are plastic-free and safe for babies. Although, some bamboo dishes contain melamine to bind the bamboo together. (2)
In the past decade, melamine contamination in food has caused acute kidney injuries that resulted in infant deaths. (3)
Tip: Some manufacturers may claim that their bamboo plates and baby feeding sets are PVC- and melamine-free. Make sure to check the tag for any mention of melamine in it.
A Note On BPA-Free Plastic
Although the FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration) has approved the use of BPA in food containers and packaging, we don’t recommend plastic, even BPA-free, in all items that come in contact with food. (4)
Should you decide to use BPA-free plastic plates, make sure that it’s phthalate-free too. Avoid using them in the dishwasher or microwave to keep plastic residues away from food once heated. (5)
BLW Plate Designs & Their Functions
1. Divided Plates
Do Babies Need Divided Plates?
Baby plates with built-in separators help keep the servings small and make it easier for parents to offer a variety of foods like puree and finger foods each meal.
2. Suction Plates
Do Suction Plates Work?
When introducing solid foods to your baby, messy mealtimes are common. Suction bowls and plates help minimize the mess, so be sure to select baby bowls and plates with great suction.
How Many Baby Plates Do I Need?
Ideally, you can have at least two baby plates since you may offer a variety of healthy foods for your baby.
The 7 Best Baby Plates & Bowls For BLW
1. Stainless Steel Baby Plate Set – Kiddobloom Dinnerware Set
The Kiddobloom Baby/Kids Safe Stainless Steel Dinnerware set includes a baby bowl, an open cup, and a divided stainless steel plate. Nontoxic, easy to clean, durable, stackable, and suitable for baby-led weaning or Montessori weaning.
Key Features
Material:
- Stainless Steel AISI#304
Dimensions:
- Baby bowl: 4.2” D x 2” H, holds 13 fl. oz.
- Open cup: 2.5” D x 2.9” H, holds 6 fl. oz.
- Divided plate: 9.5” L x 6.3” W x 0.9” H
Other Special Features:
- Kiddobloom Children Stainless Steel Dinnerware is a Mom’s Choice Award recipient and CPSIA and FDA compliant.
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- No suction
2. Bamboo Baby Plate – Avanchy Suction Toddler Plate + Spoon
The Avanchy Bamboo Suction Toddler Plate + Spoon is made with organic bamboo and food-grade silicone. 100% biodegradable, nontoxic, and coated with FDA-approved food-grade varnish. Naturally antimicrobial and antibacterial.
Key Features
Material:
- Organic bamboo and silicone (Plastic, BPA, PVC, phthalate, and lead-free)
Dimensions:
- 8.5” L × 7.5” W × 2.5” H
Other Special Features:
- Easy-release suction tab
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe
3. Divided Plate – Bumkins Silicone Grip Dish
The Bumkins Silicone Grip Dish Special Edition: Unicorn/Dino is a fun option for divided baby plates as it features a unicorn or dinosaur design. This fun shape and vibrant color may appeal to your baby when introducing new foods. Perfectly sized for toddler portions, this unicorn plate also suctions to most high chair trays or tables.
Key Features
Material:
- 100% Silicone (BPA, PVC, phthalate, & lead-free)
Product Safety:
- Dishwasher (top rack) and oven safe (up to 400°F)
Dimensions:
- 7” L x 7” W x 1” H
Other Special Features:
- Also available in dinosaur design
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- Amazon reviews mention weak suction and plastic smell that affects food quality.
4. Baby Bowl – ezpz Happy Bowl
The ezpz Happy Bowl is a silicone placemat and baby bowl in one. The bowl is perfect for eating puree, oatmeal, cereal, and soup while the mat catches the mess.
Key Features
Material:
- 100% Silicone (BPA, BPS, PVS, phthalate, & latex-free)
Product Safety:
- Dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe (up to 350°F)
Dimensions:
- 10.25 x 8.75 x 1.5
Portion Size:
- 12oz
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- It may not fit all highchair trays, so make a note of the dimensions
- It may not suction well on tiled or wood tables
5. Baby Placemat – ezpz Mini Mat
The ezpz Mini Mat is a silicone placemat and suction plate in one that’s portable and easy for little hands to pick food from. The stable base design minimizes tipped plates.
Key Features
Material:
- 100% Silicone (BPA, BPS, PVS, phthalate, & latex-free)
Product Safety:
- Dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe (up to 350°F)
Dimensions:
- 10.75 x 7.75 x 1
Portion Size:
- 2oz, 2oz, and 4oz
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- It may not fit all highchair trays, so make a note of the dimensions
- It may not suction well on tiled or wood tables
6. Suction Plate – Olababy Divided Suction Plate
The Olababy Divided Suction Plate features patented curved dividing walls for easy and safe cleaning. It’s bacteria-resistant and features a strong suction with an easy-release tab.
Key Features
Material:
- 100% Silicone (BPA, PVC, phthalate, & lead-free)
Product Safety:
- Dishwasher, freezer, microwave-safe (up to 428°F)
Other Special Features:
- Recipient of the Mom’s Choice Awards
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- Amazon reviews mention weak suction and strong chemical smell even after multiple washes
7. Silicone Baby Plate – Bumkins Silicone Grip Plate
The Bumkins Silicone Grip Plate is known for its straight edge, allowing kids to move the dish closer to them, causing a lesser mess. This baby plate is designed for older children transitioning to a grown-up plate.
Key Features
Material:
- 100% Silicone (BPA, PVC, phthalate, cadmium, & lead-free)
Product Safety:
- Dishwasher (top rack), freezer (-40°F), and oven safe (up to 400°F)
Dimensions:
- 8” L x 7” W x 1” H
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- Amazon reviews mention weak suction, soap residue, and chemical smell
What Do You Need For Baby Led Weaning?
Aside from baby plates, you may also need silicone bibs, suction cups, sippy cups, tiny cups, and pre spoons. To know more about other BLW tools, check out our previous articles on:
REFERENCES
(1) https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=177.2600&SearchTerm=silicone
(2) https://www.becausehealth.org/bamboo-dish-melamine-2645230114.html
(3) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24171438/
(4) https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/questions-answers-bisphenol-bpa-use-food-contact-applications
(5) https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/is-plastic-a-threat-to-your-health
