Pacifiers, baby bottles, high chairs, and diapers get a lot of attention from parents, but what about spoons? Once you’re ready to start teaching your child about eating solid foods, you need the right spoon for the job. While your average utensils might work, spoon-feeding and baby-led weaning is more complicated than that. Infants have sensitive gums and teeth, which means you need a gentle spoon.
Don’t panic; baby spoons don’t cost a fortune. If you know what you’re looking for, you can have the spoon you need in no time. So, if your child is about to enter the teething or solid food phase, you want to be prepared. We’ve done the research and compiled a list of the top ten baby spoons around.
- Features to Consider in a Baby Spoon
- Top 10 Best Baby Spoons 2023
- 1. Best Overall Baby Spoons: Munchkin 12 Piece Soft-Tip Infant Spoons
- 2. Best Fork and Spoon Set: Grabease First Self Feed Baby Utensils
- 3. Best Spoon for Warm Food: Munchkin White Hot Safety Spoons
- 4. Best Dispenser Spoon: Boon Squirt Silicone Baby Food Dispensing Spoon
- 5. Best Premium Spoon: Olababy 100% Silicone Soft-Tip Training Spoon
- 6. Best Doctor Recommend Spoon: NumNum Pre-Spoon
- 7. Best Food Pouch Spoon: Infantino Couple A Spoons
- 8. Best Budget Spoon: First Essentials by NUK Rest Easy Spoons
- 9. Best Spoon for Self-Feeding: ChooMee FlexiDip Baby Spoon
- 10. Best Portable Spoon OXO Tot Infant Feeding Spoon
- Everything you need to Know about Baby Spoons
- FAQ
- Final Thoughts
Features to Consider in a Baby Spoon
Age
First and foremost, you need to consider the age of your child before looking at spoons. Transitioning from nursing to solid foods is generally the first step, but you can also find spoons that work for toddlers and children over one year. The age recommendation of a spoon will also tell you the ages spoon should be used for. For example, a spoon for children three months+ should be used for parent-controlled spoon-feeding, while a spoon for children six months+ is best suited for baby-led weaning.
If you’re not sure what the different stages of baby feeding are, check out our guide below, which will explain them.
The Material
The material of a spoon is the most crucial feature to look for. Plastic and silicone are the most common materials that you’ll find, but there are bamboo baby spoons if you prefer the natural approach.
Plastic
Plastic baby spoons tend to mirror the shape of regular spoons, and they’re durable. When shopping for plastic spoons, always make sure that non-BPA plastic is used, and that the tips are rounded. Unfortunately, plastic spoons don’t tend to last as long as silicone spoons because the plastic can wear down and become rough around the edges.
Silicone
Silicone baby spoons are popular because they’re foldable and bendable. Some mirror traditional spoons, but some look a little different. Silicone are easy to use, and they’re great for teaching your child to eat on their own. The only downside to silicone spoons is that they bend easily, which might confuse your child when they start using traditional utensils.
Bamboo
Bamboo baby spoons typically have bamboo handles and silicone tips. The silicone tips are made to be soft and gentle, and the bamboo handles have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. The only downside to bamboo and silicone baby spoons is that they can be expensive.
The Amount
When your child starts to use spoons for the first time, they’re going to need a lot of them. When they can’t use traditional metal spoons, you’ll want to make sure that you have enough spoons to use with your child comfortably. Baby spoons come with a few different package options, and you’ll commonly find between one and ten spoons per set.
Price
The cost of a good set of baby spoons is far less than you’re probably thinking. Compared to other baby products like high chairs, bibs, and pillows, baby spoons are generally a bargain. The most expensive spoons run up to about $15.
With those considerations in mind, let’s look at the best baby spoons available on the market today.
Top 10 Best Baby Spoons 2023
1. Best Overall Baby Spoons: Munchkin 12 Piece Soft-Tip Infant Spoons
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Ages: 3 months+
- Material: Plastic
- Amount: 12
The Munchkin 12 Piece Soft-Tip Infant Spoons is an excellent set of utensils to get you started. The collection features twelve BPA-free spoons with soft tips that are gentle on your child’s gums. To make the tips even smoother on your child’s gums, all of the edges are rounded to ensure that there are no injuries if the spoon grazes the roof of your child’s mouth.
While this set of spoons is useful, it’s also fun to look at and features twelve different brightly colored patterns. The colors may seem purely aesthetic at first, but children are more receptive to food training if they’re working with utensils that are fun to look at.
For parents, these spoons can quickly become a favorite because they’re designed with an ergonomic handle that makes it easy to hold the spoon for a few minutes. Plus, instead of needing to wash these spoons by hand, they can be placed on the top rack of any dishwasher for a quick and easy clean.
What Sets it Apart
What sets the Munchkin 12 Piece Soft-Tip Infant Spoons apart is their excellent value. Sure, other spoons might have unique design features, but this is a no-nonsense set of spoons. You get twelve high-quality and safe spoons for a great price. The Munchkin 12 Piece Soft-Tip Infant Spoons are also simple, which makes them easy to work with for parents getting used to feeding their children solid foods.
Things to Consider
While the Munchkin 12 Piece Soft-Tip Infant Spoons are made with high-quality and are great value, there are not a lot of innovative design features. Aside from the ergonomic handle, the spoons are basic.
This isn’t always an issue, because their simplicity makes them easy to work with. Still, if you’re looking for a unique spoon, you might want to consider a spoon like the Boon Squirt Silicone Baby Food Dispensing Spoon.
Who it’s For
The Munchkin 12 Piece Soft-Tip Infant Spoons is excellent for parents that are just getting started. Munchkin, as a company, is well-known in the industry for making dozens of high-quality baby products that every parent can afford. If you need a set of spoons to get you started, this set is a great way to prepare for both solid food training and the teething phase. Based on their value and features, they’re the best spoons overall.
Pros
- Comes with twelve spoons for a great value
- Ergonomic handle allows parents to hold the spoon for long periods comfortably
- BPA-free material
- Soft and rounded tip is safe for an infant's gums
Cons
- Lacks innovative design features that make food training simple
2. Best Fork and Spoon Set: Grabease First Self Feed Baby Utensils
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Ages: 1 year+
- Material: Plastic
- Amount: 2
The Grabease First Self Feed Baby Utensils are a toddlers dream. The set comes with a fork and spoon, and each utensil has a choke-protection shield that separates the head of the spoon from the handle. Even if there is an accident, the chances of a child choking with these utensils are low. This fork and spoon set is also made without any dangerous chemicals like BPA and phthalates, and they comply with all major United States regulations.
The Grabease First Self Feed Baby Utensils are designed to help your child transition to self-feeding. While the fork and spoon can be used on infants, their design encourages toddlers to play around with them and learn how to eat on their own. These utensils are also easy to clean and can be placed in the dishwasher for a hassle-free wash.
What Sets it Apart
The Grabease First Self Feed Baby Utensils are excellent for teaching a child to eat on their own. The choke-shield keeps children from triggering a gag-reflex, and the ergonomic handle gives the utensils a natural hand-feeding motion. The handles focus on teaching toddlers about how to grasp something vertically, which helps them adapt to using forks and spoons on their own. Overall, it’s hard to find a better spoon for toddlers.
Things to Consider
The Grabease First Self Feed Baby Utensils do exactly what they’re designed to do, but they leave infants and newborns out. During the teething and solid food training phases, while you can use these utensils, you’re better off with a fork and spoon that’s easier to hold. The short handles make them challenging to work with, for parents at least. If you need a spoon for infants, this spoon will do the trick.
Who it’s For
If you’re on the fence about letting your child learn to use a fork and spoon on their own, the Grabease First Self Feed Baby Utensils are a great choice. While supervision is still required, the choke-shield gives parents the confidence to let their children learn on their own without the fear of an accident. Plus, even occupational therapists recommend these utensils for toddler self-feeding training.
Pros
- Choke-shield to prevent choking
- BPA and phthalate-free
- Dishwasher safe
- Features a fork and spoon
Cons
- Ineffective for newborns and infants
3. Best Spoon for Warm Food: Munchkin White Hot Safety Spoons
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Ages: 4 month+
- Material: Silicone
- Amount: 4
Munchkin White Hot Safety Spoons focus on safety. The silicone material is made without harmful chemicals like phthalates, BPA, latex, and even nitrosamines. These spoons are also durable enough to be washed on the top rack of a dishwasher, and the silicone tip is rounded and soft to prevent gum injuries. While the spoons are made to be smooth and detect heat, they can also work well for teething and baby led-weaning.
The handle features an ergonomic design that makes it comfortable for parents to hold. The spoons also have enough length to scoop out that last bit of food in the jar. When you combine these features with the curved tip, you get a well-rounded set of spoons.
What Sets it Apart
The Munchkin White Hot Safety Spoons are unique because they can tell you when food is too hot. The sensor is built into the tip of the spoon, and when you hold it in food, it will change color. If the spoon turns white, that means that you need to let the food cool down before serving it to your child. This is a patented design, which means that you can only find this feature on Munchkin products.
Things to Consider
The Munchkin White Hot Safety Spoons are great for checking temperature, but they’re average otherwise. The handle is on par with handles from other manufacturers, and the rounded tip is nothing special.
Unfortunately, these spoons also fail to be useful for baby led-weaning or the self-feeding phases. If you’re looking for a spoon with more bells and whistles, and the heat sensing technology doesn’t appeal to you, the Olababy 100% Silicone Soft-Tip Training Spoon is a right choice.
Who it’s For
If you’re entering the later stages of food training, and you need to heat food, this spoon is super helpful. Baby food doesn’t taste great, which means that you’ll have to wing it temperature-wise because it’s hard to tell if it’s too hot otherwise. If you find yourself feeding your child with warm foods, and want to be sure that it’s safe, there is no better spoon around. Keep in mind; these spoons are primarily for the spoon-feeding phase.
Pros
- Silicone tip that changes color when food is too hot
- Dishwasher safe
- No BPA, latex, and nitrosamines
Cons
- Only useful for the early stages of spoon-feeding
4. Best Dispenser Spoon: Boon Squirt Silicone Baby Food Dispensing Spoon
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Ages: 1 month+
- Material: Silicone
- Amount: 1
The Boon Squirt Silicone Baby Food Dispensing Spoon is one of the more unique spoons that you’ll come across. The spoon comes with a silicone attachment that’s used to store and dispense baby foods out onto the spoon’s tip.
While the design may seem complicated, it’s easy to use. The dispenser portion of the spoon can hold up to three ounces of baby food, and when you pump the dispenser food is deposited directly onto the spoon. For one-handed feeding, it’s difficult to match this innovative design.
The spoon and dispenser are made with durable silicone that leaves out harmful chemicals like BPA, phthalates, phosphates, and PVC, which makes it safe to use for newborns and infants.
The spoon is easy to use and it doesn’t require sophisticated cleaning. It can be placed in the dishwasher, but if you prefer to clean it by hand, you can use warm water and soap. Also, if you prefer to sterilize your utensils before using them with your child, the Boon Squirt Silicone Baby Food Dispensing Spoon can tolerate the temperature of boiling water.
What Sets it Apart
The Boon Squirt Silicone Baby Food Dispensing Spoon is in a league of its thanks to the food dispensing system. While there are plenty of spoons that are safe and easy to use, there are very few spoons that can store and dispense food in the way that this one does. If you like the idea of a food pouch, but don’t want your child to rely on sucking food from a bag, a spoon like this is a great alternative.
Things to Consider
While the Boon Squirt Silicone Baby Food Dispensing Spoon features one of the most innovative designs you can find, the dispenser can be uncomfortable to work with.
Holding and feeding your child with the spoon can become tiring because it lacks an ergonomic handle, and when the dispenser is filled with food, it takes on a bloated oval shape. If you don’t need a food dispenser, or have an older baby, you might want to go with a more simple spoon like the ChooMee FlexiDip Baby Spoon.
Who it’s For
As a parent, there is a good chance that your hands are always full. When it comes time to feed your child, it can be a hassle to open the jar, dip the spoon, and get it into your child’s mouth. The Boon Squirt Silicone Baby Food Dispensing Spoon provides you with a way to remove mealtime obstacles from the equation. If you’re looking for a spoon that does most of the hard work for you, and you hate the idea of a food pouch, the Boon Squirt Silicone Baby Food Dispensing Spoon is a great choice.
Pros
- Can hold up to three ounces of stage one or stage two baby food
- Dispenses food directly onto the spoon
- Dishwasher safe
- Can be sterilized in boiling water before use
Cons
- Lacks an ergonomic handle
- Bulky design makes it challenging to work with when it's filled with food
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Ages: 3 months+
- Material: Silicone
- Amount: 2
The Olababy 100% Silicone Soft-Tip Training Spoon is a sleek and practical spoon that makes the transition from liquid to solid food a breeze.
The spoon is made with 100% silicone that’s flexible and soft, which reduces the chance of cutting your child’s delicate gums. While the spoon is made with a flexible material, it maintains a high level of durability.
For example, if your child needs a teether, this spoon can handle intense biting, chewing, and bending. Not only does this spoon perform well, but it also looks like a toy, which helps your child become fascinated with the idea of eating solid foods.
The Olababy 100% Silicone Soft-Tip Training Spoon also features an ergonomic handle that’s short and easy to work with. In fact, the spoon can stand straight up on its silicone base. To make your life even easier, the spoon is dishwasher safe and can handle the temperature of boiling water if you want to sterilize it before use. Also, the silicone is free of BPA, phthalates, latex, and other potential toxins.
What Sets it Apart
The Olababy 100% Silicone Soft-Tip Training Spoon is expensive, but you get what you pay for. By any standards, it’s a premium spoon that can last years instead of months.
Unlike other baby spoons, this spoon can be used for most stages of food training. Instead of focusing on either self-feeding or spoon-feeding, this spoon excels in both areas. Once you’re comfortable with your child’s ability to work with the spoon, simply let them take the reins and learn on their own.
Things to Consider
The Olababy 100% Silicone Soft-Tip Training Spoon is a well-rounded spoon, but the design is odd. It looks like a plant, but that can lead to confusion. Children are great at learning by mirroring their parents, and if they rely on a spoon like this, it can make it challenging to help them transition from a baby spoon to an adult spoon.
If you’re looking for a spoon that’s similar in quality, but more closely resembles an adult spoon, the NumNum Pre-Spoon is a great alternative.
Who it’s For
If you have the budget for a premium baby spoon, you should give this product a try. There are a lot of spoons made from silicone, but no other spoon can move like this one. It can fold into different directions, and it keeps food locked into place while it travels to your child’s mouth.
Plus, the plant-like design helps your child connect the spoon to food when they start baby-led weaning. Overall, if you want a premium baby spoon, the Olababy 100% Silicone Soft-Tip Training Spoon is your best bet.
Pros
- Ergonomic handle is comfortable for both parents and toddlers to work with
- Flexible silicone material that's free of BPA, phthalates, and latex
- Can be used for every phase of food training
Cons
- The design fails to resemble adult spoons, which can make the transition difficult
- Expensive price for only two spoons
6. Best Doctor Recommend Spoon: NumNum Pre-Spoon
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Ages: 6-18 months
- Material: Silicone
- Amount: 2
The NumNum Pre-Spoon is excellent for most feeding phases. The spoons are made with an ergonomic handle that’s easy for parents and toddlers to hold, and the flat-tip surface reduces the chance of spilling food.
The handle also features a silicone grip that helps children hold the spoon firmly in their hands. Whether you’re looking to spoon-feed, have your baby lead, or learn on their own, these spoons are viable.
The NumNum Pre-Spoon also prioritizes your child’s safety. The silicone material leaves out potentially harmful chemicals like BPA, latex, phthalate, and other toxins. While this spoon is smooth for children to work with, it also makes being a parent easier. Not only does it offer a hands-off approach to food training, but they’re dishwasher safe.
What Sets it Apart
When babies are learning to eat, scooping can be a problematic motion to learn, which is why the NumNum Pre-Spoon uses a flat-tip design. It might seem like the flat-tip will make it difficult to get a spoonful of food without spilling it everywhere, but the flat-tip uses small grooves to hold food in place while it travels to your little one’s mouth.
When you combine this with the ergonomic handle that promotes learning, teaching your toddler to self-feed becomes simple. Compared to flimsy silicone-tip spoons, the flat-tip design is superior.
Things to Consider
The NumNum Pre-Spoon has a small window of effectiveness. If your child is out of the 6-18 month age range, you won’t have a lot of success with this spoon. Also, the flat-tip design might be great for getting food to its destination, but it fails to teach your child the mechanics of scooping foods. So, when they’re introduced to a traditional spoon, there can be a period where they struggle to use it properly.
If you’re looking for a similar spoon that can also teach your child the scooping motion, you should consider the Olababy 100% Silicone Soft-Tip Training Spoon.
Who it’s For
If you’re a parent that wants the best for their child, this spoon is a great choice. The NumNum Pre-Spoon is the number one doctor recommended spoon in a handful of categories. Pediatric feeding therapists, occupational therapists, and even speech-language pathologists support the design and safety of this spoon. If you’re looking for a safe spoon for a child between the ages of six and eighteen months, there is no better spoon around.
Pros
- Recommended by pediatric feeding therapists, speech pathologists, and occupational therapists
- Flat-tip design keeps food from spilling out of the spoon
- Ergonomic handle is comfortable for parents and children to work with
- Free of BPA, latex, and phthalates
Cons
- Expensive
- Fails to teach children the scooping motion
7. Best Food Pouch Spoon: Infantino Couple A Spoons
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Ages: 3-12 months
- Material: Plastic
- Amount: 2
The Infantino Couple A Spoons is a set of two spoons that has a specific purpose. The spoons are designed for travel and feature a carrying case that can be clipped onto most bags. These spoons are made for food pouches, and they feature a small nozzle that you can connect a food pouch to. The pouch allows you to dispense food directly onto the spoon, which makes it easy to get your child reliable food on the go.
While every food pouch is made different, Infantino makes sure that their spoons are compatible with most food pouch brands like HappyBaby, Earth’s Best, Plum Organics, and Ella’s Kitchen. The Infantino Couple A Spoons are made with premium plastic that’s free of BPA, phthalate, and PVC. These spoons are also dishwasher safe.
What Sets it Apart
The Infantino Couple A Spoons are unique because they work with most food pouches you can find. A lot of companies like to make their spoons only compatible with their products, and while these spoons work the best with Infantino’s own pouches, they’re compatible with a lot of others too.
Things to Consider
The Infantino Couple A Spoons are great for pouch-based feeding, but they don’t offer much else. To get the most out of these spoons, you would need to use them with a food pouch, or else you’ll be stuck working with a tiny spoon. You should also keep the Infantino Couple A Spoons away from children when they’re not being used because their small size can become a choking hazard.
If you’re looking for a traditional feeding spoon, but like the pouch-based design, the Boon Squirt Silicone Baby Food Dispensing Spoon is a great alternative that comes with everything you need right out of the box.
Who it’s For
The Infantino Couple a Spoons is for parents who are familiar with and enjoy using food pouches. More specifically, these spoons work well for parents that are frequently on the go thanks to their handy clip-on carrying case. Unfortunately, if you don’t use food pouches, there is no reason to consider these spoons.
Pros
- Clip-on carrying case
- Compatible with most food pouches
- Excellent value
Cons
- Only comparable with food pouches, and not useful otherwise
8. Best Budget Spoon: First Essentials by NUK Rest Easy Spoons
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Ages: 4 months+
- Material: Plastic
- Amount: 6
The First Essentials by NUK Rest Easy Spoons feature long handles and a spatula-shaped spoon bowl. The long handles make it easy to scoop the last bit of food from the jar, and the spatula-shaped bowl keeps food from spilling out of the edges when your child begins to give self-feeding a try. Plus, if you need to wipe your baby’s face, you can use the spatula-shaped edges to do so.
While the spoons are made of plastic, the tip of the spoon is smooth and rounded to make them safe for your child’s developing gums. The First Essentials by NUK Rest Easy Spoons use plastic that’s BPA-free, and they feature a rest-easy design that keeps the spoons away from germs. Cleaning these spoons is also hassle-free because they’re dishwasher safe.
What Sets it Apart
These spoons feature a unique design that you don’t see often. The rest-easy design acts as a buffer between the spoons and the surface you rest them on. Right before the tip of the spoon, there is a slight bump that keeps the tip of the spoon from touching the surface it’s sitting on. This design is beneficial because it keeps germs and other potential contaminants away from the spoon.
Things to Consider
The First Essentials by NUK Rest Easy Spoons have a lot of great design features, but they lack an ergonomic handle that’s easy to work with. While the long handle makes it easy to scoop food, it can be difficult for toddlers learning to self-feed to work with.
If you like the idea of a safe plastic spoon, but need one that’s better for self-feeding, the Grabease First Self Feed Baby Utensils are a better choice.
Who it’s For
The First Essentials by NUK Rest Easy Spoons work well for most parents. Their design is robust, and they do everything you need them to do. If you need a few baby spoons but have a tight budget, these spoons are a great way to get started. Being a parent can be expensive, especially at the start, which makes these spoons a great way to get the spoons you need for a bargain. Plus, you don’t need to sacrifice quality.
Pros
- Low price
- Rest-easy design keeps the spoon tip from coming into contact with germs
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Lacks an ergonomic handle
- The plastic can wear down which causes rough edges to appear
9. Best Spoon for Self-Feeding: ChooMee FlexiDip Baby Spoon
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Ages: 6 months+
- Material: Silicone
- Amount: 2
The ChooMee FlexiDip Baby Spoon is designed to get your child excited about learning to eat. Once you switch from liquid feeding to solid foods, you’ll notice that your child will want to participate in the process. For this reason, the spoon is designed with a soft silicone material that’s BPA-free and gentle enough for teething without piercing the gums. The tip of the spoon is also flexible, so even if your child applies too much pressure to the roof of their mouth, the spoon will bend to reduce the chance of injury.
The ChooMee FlexiDip Baby Spoon is also easy to work with for both parents and children. The silicone can be folded in place to help it fit any bowl shape, and food remains securely in the tip thanks to the FlexiDip design. Once it’s time to clean the spoon, all you need to do is place it into the dishwasher. The ChooMee FlexiDip Baby Spoon is also durable enough to handle boiling water if you need to sterilize it before use.
What Sets it Apart
The FlexiDip design that ChoMee uses is patented, which means you can’t find it anywhere else. The ability to fold the spoon and keep it securely in the tip of the spoon is unique. While spoons like the NumNum Pre-Spoon use a flat-tip design, the tip of the spoon can’t be folded to fit different bowls. For this reason, the ChooMee FlexiDip Baby Spoon is one of the more versatile spoons you can find for your child. It doesn’t just make self-feeding easy; it makes it fun.
Things to Consider
The ChooMee FlexiDip Baby Spoon suffers from a common problem that many silicone spoons suffer from. While it makes self-feeding easy, it almost makes it too easy. When your child begins using a traditional spoon that doesn’t have a FlexDip tip, it can make it difficult for them to adjust.
Usually, the adjustment process is not lengthy, but if that’s something that concerns you, you might want to try a plastic spoon like the Grabease First Self Feed Baby Utensils.
Who it’s For
The ChooMee FlexiDip Baby Spoon is for parents that want to have some fun with self-feeding. The FlexiDip design encourages your child to be creative as they fold and bend the spoon to grab food all on their own. While other spoons can serve a similar purpose, there is something special about watching your child get excited and enthusiastic about self-feeding.
Pros
- Patented FlexiDip design contours to fit any bowl or dish and keep food in the bowl of the spoon
- Flexible silicone design that's easy for your child to hold and play with
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- FlexiDip design can make it difficult to adjust to traditional spoons
10. Best Portable Spoon OXO Tot Infant Feeding Spoon
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Ages: 4 months+
- Material: Silicone, plastic, stainless steel
- Amount: 1
The OXO Tot Infant Feeding Spoon allows you to feed your child on the go without hassle. The spoon is made with food-grade silicone that’s soft on your child’s gums, and it’s durable enough for teething and repetitive use. Speaking of durability, the handle of the spoon is made with stainless steel coated in plastic, which makes it more resistant to getting tossed around in a diaper bag.
The OXO Tot Infant Feeding Spoon also has some great design features that make it easy to work with. The soft silicone edge is excellent for wiping excess food off of your child’s face, and the spoon can even be boiled to sterilize it before you travel. For cleaning, simply place it in the dishwasher when you get back home.
What Sets it Apart
The OXO Tot Infant Feeding Spoon is unique in that it’s portable. While a spoon is mobile without modifications, a baby spoon rarely comes with a portable carrying case. The case is small enough to fit in a diaper bag, and the lid remains attached to the case to make sure you don’t lose it. Need to make sure your baby has a spoon whenever they need it? Look no further.
Things to Consider
The OXO Tot Infant Feeding Spoon is great for travel, but that’s about all it’s suitable for. The design of the spoon is simple, which isn’t a bad thing, but some spoons offer a more diverse range of features. The plastic handle, which lacks grips, can also make the spoon slippery if it comes into contact with any liquids. If you don’t need a portable baby spoon, or already have one, any spoon on the list is a good alternative.
Who it’s For
The OXO Tot Infant Feeding Spoon is for parents that travel often and need to take their baby with them. The carrying case and edged tip are excellent for those situations where you need to get that last bit of food out on the go. While the OXO Tot Infant Feeding Spoon is a great travel spoon, we don’t recommend using it as your primary training spoon.
Having a travel spoon is excellent, and can make life on the go more convenient, but consider getting a set of spoons like the Munchkin 12 Piece Soft-Tip Infant Spoons to use around the house.
Pros
- Comes with a travel case that fits in most bags
- Food-grade silicone tip that's great for self-feeding and teething
- Durable handle
Cons
- Slippery handle
- Lacks unique design features
Everything you need to Know about Baby Spoons
Shopping for spoons is more than just having the best products in front of you. You need to be able to find the right product for your needs, which is what we’re going to help you do. Even if you’re not sure about the stages of feeding, or how to wean a child off of breastmilk, we have you covered.
The Stages of Baby Food
If you’ve shopped for baby food in the past, there is a good chance that there is a number on the can or jar. Gerber has trademarks in place for “stage” on the containers so that you might find “1,” “2,” or “3,” written on the label instead.
The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t have set age guidelines, but they do recommend training your child to familiarize them with the process of eating. We’re going to take you through each stage and discuss what they mean, and at the end of each stage we’ll have a recommendation for the spoon you need.
Stage 1
The first stage of baby food includes single-ingredient food. These foods are typically vegetables, rice-based cereals, and pureed fruits. The first stage begins at around the four months and ends once your child reaches six months. During the first stage, you should be spoon-feeding your child by hand.
Choosing food to spoon-feed your child can be tricky because you need to make sure it’s comfortable to hold and that the tip is soft enough for your child’s gums and baby teeth. For feeding during the first stage, we recommend using a spoon with an ergonomic handle that benefits the parent like the Munchkin 12 Piece Soft-Tip Infant Spoons. These spoons are also a great choice because you get a set of twelve to get started.
Stage 2
The second stage is when your child can begin to use the spoon on their own, but you should still be the one holding the spoon in most situations. The second stage begins once your child is around seven months old, and ends once your child reaches nine months. During this stage, you’ll want to switch over from pureed foods to single-ingredient strained foods.
Choosing a spoon for the second stage can be tricky because the food is more substantial than liquid, and chunks of food can be up to two inches in size. An excellent product for this stage is the Munchkin White Hot Safety Spoons. You get four spoons with ergonomic handles, and you can check the temperature of the food before serving it.
Stage 3
The third stage is where food becomes complicated. The stage can begin as early as eight months, but in most cases, you’ll want to transition to stage three meals once your child reaches nine months. Stage three is also one of the longest stages because it can last until twelve months. During stage three, food will include more chunks to encourage chewing, and the size of the food is typically three inches.
The third stage is when you want to start letting your child do most of the work. This includes letting them hold the spoon, scoop food from the jar, and letting them learn to eat on their own. This can also be dangerous because you want to make sure that the spoon is safe because their teeth and gums are still soft.
A great spoon to start with is the Olababy 100% Silicone Soft-Tip Training Spoon. We recommend this spoon because the tip is made with soft silicone that bends if too much pressure is applied to the roof of your child’s mouth.
Stage 4
Stage four is the final stage, and there aren’t a lot of guidelines about it. This stage isn’t always considered a stage because during this time your child will be eating traditional foods that adults eat. Stage four can either start once your child is a year old, but in some cases, it might not begin until the beginning of their second year.
The fourth stage of eating should always be hands-off, as your child should be the one holding the utensils. While you may be tempted to let them start using stainless steel utensils, we recommend using forks and spoons that have soft tips and choke guards. A great set of tools, to begin with, is the Grabease First Self Feed Baby Utensils because they resemble traditional utensils and come with choke guards.
Choosing a spoon for Spoon-Feeding
Once you’re ready to take a step back from nursing, you’ll want to start spoon-feeding your child. The process is simple, you feed your child with a spoon, but the process consists of the parent doing the majority of the work. There are a few ways that spoon-feeding can be done, so we’re going to show you a few different options.
The Traditional Method
The traditional method of spoon-feeding is simple, but it can be a hassle. You get yourself a jar of baby food, scoop the food, and make it your mission to get it into your baby’s mouth. While the process seems easy enough, getting your baby used to eating off of a spoon can be a nightmare.
When you start spoon-feeding, you should consider getting yourself a pack of spoons that feature ergonomic handles. We also recommend looking for a set of spoons that are cheap at first, because it’s hard to predict how your child will react the first few times you try spoon-feeding them.
A great set to start with is the First Essentials by NUK Rest Easy Spoons because they’re cheap and forgiving. Plus, when your child is making a fuss, you can always set them down without having to worry about bacteria reaching the tip of the spoon.
Food Pouches
Food pouches have been around for a while, and they make mealtime hassle-free. You can usually let your child suck the food out from the bag, but if you are using a food pouch, we recommend using a spoon that connects to the pouch. This will teach your child to eat from a spoon, and it’s more comfortable to hold and squeeze the bag.
A great set of spoons to use with pouch-based baby foods is the Infantino Couple a Spoons. These spoons come with a portable clip-on bag, and soft tips to make sure that your child’s soft gums remain unharmed.
Dispenser Spoons
Dispenser spoons are a recent innovation that’s taken the baby spoon market by storm. These spoons work like food pouches but rely on a silicone food dispenser attached to the back of the spoon. You can fill the dispense with the baby food of your choice, and let the dispenser do the rest. These spoons are great for one-handed feeding.
If you like the sound of a dispenser spoon, you should consider the Boon Squirt Silicone Baby Food Dispensing Spoon.
Choosing a Spoon for Baby-Led Weaning
Baby-led weaning is a messy time because you’ll start letting your child play with the spoons. Intense parental supervision should still be given, but for the most part, you’ll want to make children learn the motions of scooping, chewing, bringing the food to their mouths on their own.
To make sure that baby-led weaning is done correctly, use a spoon that can hold the food securely in place. We all know how children love to play with toys, and at first, a spoon will be just another toy. So, for baby-led weaning, consider using a spoon that has built-in grooves in the bowl of the spoon to keep food from falling.
A great spoon to start with is the NumNum Pre-Spoon. These spoons feature an ergonomic handle that reaches your child the motions of eating, and the bowl of their spoon lets your child scoop food without making a mess.
Choosing a Spoon for Feeding your Child Warm Foods
Not all baby food needs to be cold, and it can be beneficial to start feeding your child warm foods. Teaching your child that food can be warm is crucial because they’re going to find out one way or another.
If you plan on starting your child on warm foods while you’re spoon-feeding them, you need to be careful with the temperature. Some great spoons to get you started are the Munchkin White Hot Safety Spoons because they change color when food is too hot.
Choosing a Portable Spoon
Sometimes you realize that you’ll be away from home for a while, and with this happens, you need to be prepared. Regardless of where you are, your child needs to eat. If you need to spoon-feed on the go, you’ll want to choose a spoon that has a portable design. The OXO Tot Infant Feeding Spoon is an excellent spoon for the job because it comes with a carrying case that fits in small bags.
Choosing a Spoon for the Teething Phase
The teething phase begins at around six months, and can last for up to two years. During this time, your child will be eager to start using their new baby teeth, and they might chew on their spoon. If your baby is in the teething phase, you want to make sure they have a safe spoon to chew on.
Silicone spoons are great for the job, but you also want to make sure the spoon is made with 100% silicone, not just the tip. If you need a great spoon for teething, the Olababy 100% Silicone Soft-Tip Training Spoon is your best option.
FAQ
When should a baby start using a spoon?
While you can start to spoon-feed your child once they reach three months old, you should always give their teeth and gums time to develop before letting them use a spoon on their own. Experts recommend waiting at least six months before starting baby-led weaning.
Can I use a Normal Spoon to Feed my Child?
You might be tempted to save some money and start using a metal spoon right out of the gate, but we recommend against this. While metal spoons work well enough, they can cut your child’s sensitive gums or damage their baby teeth. Always use plastic or silicone spoons when your child is less than one year old.
When Should a Baby Learn to Feed Themselves?
A baby should start the learning process once they reach around nine months. While you can lead them earlier, make sure that your child is used to the motions of using a spoon before letting them try on their own. Starting too soon can lead to frustration and a refusal to learn down the line.
Final Thoughts
There is a lot more to it than only letting your baby hold a spoon. Teaching your child to eat on their own, and every step in between takes patience and time. When you shop for the best baby spoon, always make sure that you consider your needs. A spoon that works well for children over the age of one year simply won’t work the same way for a child that’s less than six months old.
When you begin the process of transitioning from nursing to solid foods, you’re going to need more than one spoon. Make sure that you have the spoons you need for each stage, and feel free to try out more than one!