Helping your baby make the shift over to solid foods is an exciting (and messy!) milestone for most parents. Most babies are developmentally ready to start eating solid foods around six months of age. Whether you’re planning to make your own purees, use store-bought baby food, or move straight to baby-led weaning, you’ll need to invest in some proper mealtime essentials, like infant spoons and forks.

Learning to use spoons and other feeding utensils isn’t just about teaching good table manners. It actually helps babies improve their hand-eye coordination. Giving a baby a spoon to play with while strapped into their high chair allows them to practice finger gripping and lifting their hand to their mouth. Using spoons also helps with appetite regulation and portion control since it helps get the right amount of food into their mouth. 

What to Look for in a Baby Spoon or Other Feeding Utensil

Little hands require little utensils that are simple to grasp. You’ll want to look for spoons and forks designed specifically for infants and toddlers. Here are a few features you may want to consider as you shop:

• Smooth, soft edges: Spoons or any other feeding utensil should be free from sharp edges that could cut a baby’s tongue or mouth. 
• Durability: Single material is ideal. Ensure that utensils made from more than one material won’t come apart. Utensils that can withstand the dishwasher, microwave, boiling, and freezing are a plus.
• Size appropriate: Wider, short-handled utensils are better for babies who are self-feeding. Long-handled spoons are meant for caregivers to use when feeding a baby.
• Non-toxic construction: Always check the labels. Look for spoons made of food-grade silicone. Plastic spoons should be BPA-free. Wood or metal spoons should be preservative-free and free of lead.

You may need to “test drive” a few different spoons to see which ones are the winners with your little one. It’s also worth investing in plenty of extras, especially when first starting solids with your little one. You’ll need a spoon for yourself, one for your baby to hold onto, and a few more as a backup for when the others inevitably fall on the floor.

Let’s take a look at some of the best spoons and baby feeding utensils for mealtime.

1. Best Overall: OXO Tot Feeding Spoon

When it's time for solids, try the OXO Tot Feeding Spoon. This stainless steel, dishwasher-safe feeding spoon has a protective food-grade silicone coating that is gentle on your baby's gums and mouth. The soft edges of the silicone can be used to scrape the last bit of sweet potato from the bowl or jar or to gently wipe applesauce from your baby's face. The shallow spoon bowl prevents feeding your baby too much food at once. The contoured handle is comfortable to hold and angled for easy feeding. 

2. Best Budget: OXO Tot Plastic Infant Feeding Spoon Multipack

The OXO Tot Plastic Infant Feeding Spoon Multipack is the perfect starter set for little eaters. The rounded handles are designed with tots' hands in mind, making it easy for them to grip while taking their first solo bites. The spoon head is the perfect shape and size for little mouths. This set comes with four great spoons at one amazing value!

3. Best for Teething Babies: OXO Tot Silicone Self-Feeder

The OXO Tot Silicone Self-Feeder is a safe and soothing way for little ones to learn to snack on their own. It’s the perfect way to introduce your tot to try strawberries, oranges, or other yummy fruits or veggies. Simply place the food in the large-capacity pouch, and let your little one do the rest. The silicone is easy to clean (really!), and the childproof lock is easy for grown-ups to take apart. A great trick to know: adding frozen fruit to the feeder will help soothe teething tots!

4. Best for First-Time Eaters: Boon Swap

Boon Swap is a dual-ended spoon with a soft end and a rigid end, perfect for first-time eaters. (Your baby will let you know which side of the spoon works best.) Both sides have a flat tip, perfect for wiping off the food that inevitably ends up all over your baby's face. Made from hygienic food-grade silicone and stainless steel, the Boon Swap is dishwasher-safe, as well as BPA-, phthalate-, and PVC-free.

5. Best Mess-Proof Spoon: Boon Squirt Silicone Baby Food Dispensing Spoon

The Boon Squirt Silicone Baby Food Dispensing Spoon isn’t just a spoon; it’s a revelation. It takes baby food, removes the jar and the mess, packs it into a single utensil, and with one squeeze– boom! You get easy, one-handed feeding. The large, easy-to-clean bulb holds up to 3 oz. of Stage 1 or 2 baby food. Just pop on the cap to seal food on the go.

6. Best for Learning to Self-Feed: OXO Tot Fork and Spoon

Perfect for toddlers who are just learning to feed themselves, the OXO Tot Fork and Spoon have rounded handles that are easy for little hands to grip. Small, rounded edges on the spoon bowl and fork tines fit easily in a toddler's mouth and provide safety and comfort in case of near misses. 

7. Best for Older Toddlers: Mushie Dinnerware Fork and Spoon Set

With soft colors and clean design, this Mushie Dinnerware Fork and Spoon Set set is simple and elegant—and easy for your child to hold. Made in Denmark from BPA-free polypropylene plastic, these kid's forks and spoons are dishwasher-safe to simplify mealtime and make cleanup easy.

8. Best Bamboo Utensils: Avanchy Bamboo Baby Spoons

Avanchy Bamboo Baby Spoons are designed for the little cuties in your life who are ready to eat on their own. Hungry babies can effortlessly grab and maneuver the bamboo spoon with an ergonomic handle and reinforced neck that is ideal for little hands. The soft silicone spoon bowl is gentle on your baby's gums and serves as a teether that promotes actions that lead to self-feeding. The flexible spoon tip will pick up any food and the shallow scoop design ensures that little kids won't be grabbing big mouthfuls that could cause choking. Lightweight, sturdy, and made with fun colors to keep babies entertained while they’re eating or just playing with their food.

9. Best Spoon Set for Travel: OXO TOT On-the-Go Plastic Fork and Spoon Set with Travel Case

The OXO TOT On-the-Go Plastic Fork and Spoon Set with Travel Case is the perfect starter set for little eaters. The rounded handles are designed with tots' hands in mind, making it easy for them to grip while taking their first solo bites. The spoon head is the perfect shape and size for little mouths and the rounded fork tines are effective yet safe for little learners. Both utensils come in a convenient travel case you can easily drop into your diaper bag, purse, or backpack.

10. Best Wide Grip Spoon: 4moms Utensil Set

From the makers of the mamaRoo, the 4moms Utensil Set. This set includes a fork and spoon with short, rounded handles that are easy for your baby to grab and hold, promoting the development of baby’s fine motor skills and dexterity. Made of stainless steel and dishwasher-safe.

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