The 15 Best Baby Utensils: Which Ones Do Babies Need?

Do Babies Need Baby Utensils?

Babies have softer, more sensitive gums and small mouths. So, it makes sense to get them baby utensils that are designed to fit their mouths and keep their gums safe.

Baby spoons, forks, cups, plates, and bowls should be safe and free from toxic chemicals, including BPA (bisphenol-A), BPS (bisphenol-S), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), heavy metals (lead, cadmium, etc.), and phthalates.

Do Babies Need Special Spoons?

Yes. Big, stainless steel spoons might be too big and hard for their small mouths and sensitive gums.

Many baby spoons have a protective shield that prevents your little one from choking due to pushing the utensil too deep into their mouths.

Our Top 15 Picks For The Best Baby Feeding Utensils

Best Baby Plates

Loulou Lollipop Silicone Suction Snack Plate – Silicone plate with cute animal prints and shapes

EZPZ Mini Mat– All-in-one silicone plate and placemat

Ahimsa Balanced Bites Stainless Steel Plates in Rainbow – Pediatrician-designed, stainless steel plate with a lifetime warranty

Best Baby Bowls

Munchkin Stay Put Suction Bowls – Budget-friendly baby bowl with a large suction base

SKIP HOP Easy-Grab Bowls – Unique comfort-grip handle and measurement markings in the bowl

Best Baby Utensil Sets

Nuby Garden Fresh Mash N’ Feed – Entire set lets you prepare, store, and feed from the same bowl

Avanchy Baby Bamboo Stay Put Suction Bowl + Spoon – Eco-friendly organic bamboo and silicone utensil set

UpwardBaby Feeding Supplies For Toddlers – Complete feeding set that promotes BLW (baby-led weaning)

BABYBJÖRN Baby Feeding Set – Elegant feeding set with plate design that helps make scooping easier

Best Baby Spoons

NumNum Pre-Spoon GOOtensils – Dual-stage, flat-head pre-spoon set that doubles as teethers

Bumkins Silicone Chewtensils – Training spoon with thick handles

Munchkin Gentle Scoop Silicone Trainer Spoon – Budget-friendly training spoons with choke guards that double as a spoon rest

Dr. Brown’s Silicone Starter Spoon – Cute turtle-designed spoon that doubles as a teether

SKIP HOP Easy-Fold Travel Spoons – Travel-friendly spoons with built-in cases

Best Cups

EZPZ Tiny Cup– Soft silicone, topple-resistant baby cup

Continue reading to learn more about these baby utensils.

Loulou Lollipop Silicone Suction Snack Plate

What Makes It Special

Silicone plate with cute animal prints and shapes
Available in these differently colored designs: lion (rust), rhinoceros (gray), alligator (green), elephant (blue), and bunny (peach)
Suction base that sticks to most high chairs and tables to prevent spills and slippages
Easy to clean and dishwasher safe (top rack only)
Freezer safe
Microwave safe

Key Features

Material: Soft silicone

Product Safety: Free from toxic chemicals such as lead, cadmium, PVC, and phthalates

Certifications: ASTM 917 (American Society for Testing and Materials) safety regulations and CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) standards

Warranty: Three months

Product Recall

None

Cons

Some designs have lots of nooks and crannies that might eventually collect grime and food residues if not properly cleaned.

EZPZ Mini Mat

What Makes It Special

All-in-one plate and placemat
Hypoallergenic
Non-porous surface that can help inhibit bacterial growth
Smile design to help promote a positive mealtime experience
Available in different colors: sage, blue, coral, gray, lime, blush, pewter, and aqua
Features three compartments for different food types to encourage a well-balanced meal
Fits most highchair trays
Suction base to keep it in place and prevent tipping or slipping
Stable base promotes self-feeding (such as in BLW) and develops fine motor skills
Portable, compact, lightweight design
Comes with a reusable bag that makes it easier to simply put the product in your diaper bag for dining out or traveling
Dishwasher safe
Microwave and oven safe (up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit)
The brand claims that this product doesn’t wear, fade, or corrode.

Key Features

Material: 100% food-grade silicone

Product Safety: Free from toxic chemicals such as BPA, BPS, PVC, and phthalates

Certifications: Silicone materials are 3rd-party quality tested (FDA approved and CPSC certified)

Warranty: Three months (limited warranty)

Product Recall

None

Cons

The placemat base might be too large for some high chairs.
Some parents complain about this product retaining the scent and taste of dishwashing soap.

Ahimsa Purposeful Plates

What Makes It Special

Pediatrician-designed plate
Non-porous and inert to help prevent the growth of bacteria and other pathogens
Unbreakable
9-inch stainless steel plates that your child can use as they grow
Universal plate design for everyone in the family
Available in three different colors: classic, rainbow, and iridescent blue
Dishwasher safe
Lifetime warranty

Key Features

Material: Stainless steel

Product Safety: Free from PVC, BPA (and all bisphenols), phthalates, melamine, and lead

Warranty: Lifetime

Product Recall

None

Cons

Unlike the other baby plates on our list, this doesn’t have a suction base.

Munchkin Stay Put Suction Bowls

What Makes It Special

Budget-friendly baby bowl
Suction base keeps it in place on your baby’s high chair tray
Large suction base, nearly as wide as the bowl for stability
Comes in a pack of three differently sized, differently colored bowls: purple, green, and blue
Microwave safe
Dishwasher safe (top rack only)

Key Features

Material: BPA-free plastic

Product Safety: Free from BPA and phthalates

Product Recall

None

Cons

Some parents complain about the base’s poor suction capacity.

SKIP HOP Easy-Grab Bowls

What Makes It Special

Set includes two bowls and two lids
Ergonomic and unique comfort-grip handle for parents to hold the bowl during feeding easily
Space-saving stackable design
Available in combinations of teal and gray or coral and gray
Features standard and metric measurement markings for estimating the amount of food your baby eats
Microwave safe but don’t microwave with the lid on
Freezer safe
Dishwasher safe (top rack only)
Can match or coordinate with other SKIP HOP baby utensils

Key Features

Material: BPA-free plastic

Product Safety: Free from BPA and phthalates

Product Recall

None

Cons

Some parents complain about food residue easily getting stuck inside the bowl.

Nuby Garden Fresh Mash N’ Feed Set

What Makes It Special

Includes a food masher, bowl with lid, and spoon so that you can prepare, mash, store, and feed from the same bowl
Textured bowl interior to help with efficient mashed purée preparation
Non-slip base
Available in different combinations: white and blue, red and green, white and green, orange and green, or teal and green
Microwave sterilization safe
Dishwasher safe (top rack only)

Key Features

Material: BPA-free plastic

Product Safety: Free from BPA

Product Recall

None

Cons

Some parents complain that the food masher and textured bowl are difficult to clean and are prone to getting food residues stuck to the holes or ridges.

Avanchy Baby Bamboo Stay Put Suction Bowl + Spoon

What Makes It Special

Plastic-free baby utensil set
Hypoallergenic and non-toxic
Organic bamboo handle with a silicone tip for the spoon
Organic bamboo with a silicone suction ring for the bowl
Removable non-slip silicone ring for interchanging with stainless-steel Avanchy baby bowls
Ergonomically designed handle
Transition-friendly silicone spoon that’s gentle on your baby’s mouth and gums
Suitable for baby-led weaning, infant feeding, or toddler self-feeding
Fits most high chair trays

Key Features

Material: Eco-friendly organic bamboo and silicone

Product Safety: Free from BPA, BPS, lead, and phthalates

Product Recall

None

Cons

Handwashing only; not dishwasher safe
Some parents complain that the bamboo bowl is prone to cracking and the ring base doesn’t have good suction strength.

UpwardBaby BLW Feeding Supplies For Toddlers

What Makes It Special

Baby utensil set that comes with a silicone suction bowl, three food-catcher bibs, an anti-spill cup, and three shallow spoons
Unbreakable silicone cup
Waterproof bibs with pouches for catching crumbs, spills, and messes
Safety spoons have anti-choking cross-handle shields and fat handles to fit your baby’s hand
Soft silicone teething spoons
Dishwasher safe
Microwave safe
Freezer safe
The brand claims that its silicone products won’t stain.

Key Features

Material: 100% safe silicone

Product Safety: Free from BPA, lead, and phthalates

Product Recall

None

Cons

Some parents complain that the bib doesn’t stay in place due to faulty buttons and has pouches that don’t stay open to catch messes.

BABYBJÖRN Baby Feeding Set

What Makes It Special

Stylish set that includes a plate, spoon, fork, and cup
Sturdy plate with a trefoil design that can make scooping food easier for your baby
Easy-to-grip spoon to fit your baby’s little hands
Stable cup with a large base to avoid tipping over
Grip-friendly cup
Plate also has an anti-slip strip at the base
Available in different colors: powder pink, powder green, powder yellow, and powder blue
Smooth and easy to clean
Dishwasher safe

Key Features

Material: BPA-free, certified food-safe plastic – ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) for the inner plate; PP (polypropylene) and TPE (thermoplastic elastomers) for the rim, baby cup, fork, and spoon

Product Safety: Free from BPA, PVC, and other toxic substances

Product Recall

None

Although BabySwede LLC recalled BABYBJÖRN feeding spoons due to choking risks in December 2016, the recall involved a different spoon design from those used in this feeding set. (1)

Cons

Pricier than other feeding sets on our list
Some parents complain that the plate is prone to scratching.

NumNum Pre-Spoon GOOtensils

What Makes It Special

Dual-stage set
Textured surface that doubles as a teether to soothe your baby’s gums
Thick handle for a secure fit in little hands
Flat head design
Stage One pre-spoon lets your baby grab just enough food with the dimples
Stage Two pre-spoon captures and holds food in the channels
Dishwasher safe

Key Features

Material: Premium food-grade silicone with nylon

Product Safety: Free from PVC, BPA, or phthalates

Certification: Meets US and EU (European Union) safety standards

Product Recall

None

Cons

Some customers complain that the upper (head) part can separate from the rest of the spoon.
Babies can’t use Stage Two for foods with a thinner consistency.
They might be prone to discoloration.

Bumkins Silicone Chewtensils

What Makes It Special

Training spoon with thick handles for easy gripping by tiny hands
Spoon doubles as teether with teething nubs on the back
Different colors and designs are available: light blue, dark blue, jade green, fuchsia pink, baby pink, and marble gray
Ideal for self-feeding and baby-led weaning
Dishwasher safe (top rack only)

Key Features

Material: Silicone

Product Safety: Free from BPA, BPS, PVC, phthalates, cadmium, and lead

Certification: CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008) compliant

Product Recall

None

Cons

They can be pricey.
Some parents complain about the toddler fork being too soft to pick up any food as intended.

Munchkin Gentle Scoop Silicone Trainer Spoon

What Makes It Special

Budget-friendly spoons
Training spoons with choke guards (double as a spoon rest)
Soft silicone material that’s gentle on your baby’s mouth and gums
Available in sets with two colors: pink and purple or light blue and light green
Ideal for self-feeding and baby-led weaning
Dishwasher safe

Key Features

Material: Food-grade silicone

Product Safety: Free from BPA

Product Recall

None

Cons

Some parents complain that the clear plastic material can stain easily.

Dr. Brown’s Silicone Starter Spoon

What Makes It Special

Cute turtle design
Soft, shallow spoon bowl
Doubles as a teether
Textured arms can massage your baby’s sore gums
Ring shape makes it easy for little hands to hold
Dishwasher safe (top rack)
Sterilizer safe
Microwave safe
Freezer safe

Key Features

Material: 100% silicone material

Product Safety: BPA-free

Product Recall

None

Cons

Some parents complain that the unique design makes it difficult for babies to use as a spoon.
The handle is also heavier than the head, making it easier to fall over or out of your baby’s food bowl.

SKIP HOP Easy-Fold Travel Spoons

What Makes It Special

Travel-friendly spoons with built-in cases
Stay-clean folding design
Can coordinate with other SKIP HOP baby utensils
Dishwasher-safe (top rack only)

Key Features

Material: BPA-free plastic

Product Safety: Free from BPA and phthalates

Product Recall

None

Cons

Although you can sterilize with baby bottles, they can’t be put in a microwave sterilizer.

EZPZ Tiny Cup

What Makes It Special

Hypoallergenic
Soft silicone protects your baby’s gums and developing teeth
Designed to fit your baby’s mouth and hands
Helps promote self-feeding and fine motor skills
Safe for use with cold, warm or hot foods and liquids (SAFETY WARNING: make sure to check that your baby’s food isn’t too hot by testing them on your inner wrist)
Non-slip silicone grip
Interior angle provides an even flow for safe drinking
Weighted base with tactile bumps to provide topple resistance
The brand claims that this product doesn’t wear.
Dishwasher safe

Key Features

Material: Silicone

Product Safety: Free from BPA, BPS, PVC, and phthalates

Product Recall

None

Cons

Some parents complain that their cups have a terrible smell, which allegedly doesn’t come off with repeated washing.

Summary & Recommendations

You can choose any of the baby utensils above, depending on your needs. Here are our recommendations:

Best Baby Plates

Choose Loulou Lollipop Silicone Suction Snack Plate if:

You prefer a silicone plate with cute animal prints and shapes

Choose: EZPZ Mini Mat if:

You want an all-in-one silicone plate and placemat

Choose Ahimsa Balanced Bites Stainless Steel Plates in Rainbow if:

You prefer a pediatrician-designed, stainless steel plate with a lifetime warranty

Best Baby Bowls

Choose Munchkin Stay Put Suction Bowls if:

You want a budget-friendly baby bowl with a large suction base

Choose SKIP HOP Easy-Grab Bowls if:

You want one with a unique comfort-grip handle

You prefer to have measurement markings in the bowl

Best Baby Utensil Sets

Choose Nuby Garden Fresh Mash N’ Feed if:

You want an entire set that lets you prepare, store, and feed from the same bowl

Choose Avanchy Baby Bamboo Stay Put Suction Bowl + Spoon if:

You prefer an eco-friendly organic bamboo and silicone utensil set

Choose UpwardBaby Feeding Supplies For Toddlers if:

You prefer a complete feeding set that promotes BLW (baby-led weaning)

Choose BABYBJÖRN Baby Feeding Set if:

You want an elegant feeding set with a plate design that helps make scooping easier

Best Baby Spoons

Choose NumNum Pre-Spoon GOOtensils if:

You need a dual-stage, flat-head pre-spoon set that doubles as teethers

Choose Bumkins Silicone Chewtensils if:

You want a training spoon with thick handles

Choose Munchkin Gentle Scoop Silicone Trainer Spoon if:

You prefer budget-friendly training spoons with choke guards

Choose Dr. Brown’s Silicone Starter Spoo if:

You like the cute turtle-designed spoon that doubles as a teether

Choose SKIP HOP Easy-Fold Travel Spoons if:

You need travel-friendly spoons with built-in cases

Best Cups

Choose EZPZ Tiny Cup if:

You need a soft silicone, topple-resistant baby cup

Some of the sets above also have baby-friendly cups.

FAQs

When Are Babies Ready To Feed Themselves?

Some babies might be ready to feed themselves at four months through baby-led weaning.

However, first, make sure that your baby shows signs of readiness and that you have your pediatrician’s approval before giving solid foods to babies younger than six months of age.

When Should I Give My Baby Utensils?

When to give your baby utensils depends on their development and interests.

Some babies might be interested in using a spoon at six months old. But you can also continue letting them use their hands for feeding until they develop and improve their fine motor skills.

Which Utensil Is The Best For Your Baby?

Plates and bowls are often the first utensils to use with your baby, especially with baby-led weaning.

Why Should Babies Use A Spoon During Mealtimes?

Mastering the spoon helps reduce messes during mealtime and introduces your baby to proper table manners.

Are Silicone Spoons Better?

Yes. Silicone spoons are hypoallergenic and usually free from toxic chemicals such as BPA, BPS, PVC, phthalates, and heavy metals.

How Do I Introduce A Spoon To My Baby?

The best approach is to teach them by example and let them copy your movements.

When Should My Baby Drink From A Cup?

Babies can begin drinking from a cup held by a caregiver at six months of age. They can gradually learn how to pick up the cup and drink on their own.

How Many Baby Utensils Do I Need?

Two to three baby spoons are ideal for each feeding session, especially if they’re still learning to hold and use one. Once your baby is more adept at feeding themselves, you aren’t likely to need more than one per meal.