Baby’s First Foods: Discover Feeding Essentials for Starting Solids

By Ava Brown, September 16, 2022

Every mother’s dream is to see their little one’s face covered in sweet potato puree! The good news is that you don’t require much equipment to feed a baby. It’s a rather simple, low-maintenance job, especially initially. Although we can’t promise a mess-free experience, sorry, the following must-have feeding items will help you foster a tiny foodie from your baby’s first nibbles to those big kid bites!

Suction Plate

The most challenging aspect of first feedings? Your infant will inevitably throw his plate to the ground for the first time. Mama don’t be alarmed; it happens to the best of us. Or, if you have a plate that knows how to stand its ground, you can completely avoid that situation. Therefore, premium suction plates made of food-safe silicone will help you prevent foodie flinging and make the mealtimes with your little one even more enjoyable!

These feeding essentials allow infants to feed themselves and develop their eating habits without making a mess, making them ideal for parents who have learned through trial and error what works best for their infants. Once your baby starts feeding themselves with the aid of suction plates, they will start learning the necessary motor skills. Additionally, they will consume more food while setting less aside.

The suction industry is a fascinating one and it can be challenging to determine which plates will best suit your child’s needs given the wide variety on the market today. However, to make the right selection, opt for ones made of eco-friendly products over those made of chemicals or plastics because they are always preferable substitutes and less likely to harm Mother Nature if accidentally consumed or even intentionally.

Food-safe silicone is eco-friendly and durable making it the ideal material when choosing your next set-piece tableware. Because of their functionality and high quality, these can be the easiest and one of the most thoughtful gift ideas for a newborn to ease the process of starting solids first-time parents have to deal with!

Baby Spoons

Although soft finger foods, which can be picked up between the pointer and thumb, are an excellent alternative for babies who have formed their pincer grasp, most infants begin eating pureed food. Since adult-sized spoons are too big for their mouths, investing in baby-feeding spoons is a must!

The best spoons are soft and flexible because they are simpler for a baby to handle and less likely to induce gagging. Even while the spoon may not appear to hold much food at first, babies respond best to small amounts, so that is acceptable. Brightly coloured spoons are also a wonderful option since they can thrill and pique your baby’s curiosity. Moreover, to avoid mistakenly serving your baby food that could burn their mouth, some baby spoons have a function that changes colour when the food is too hot.

Drinking Cups

When your child starts eating solids, they may also begin to sip water intermittently. Your infant is developing the skill of drinking from a cup, which they will hone over the next months.

Your baby will likely find it simpler to drink from a sippy cup than from an open cup. Sippy cups also reduce spills. There are numerous baby cups available. Choose a product that is BPA-free and simple to clean. Most baby cups come with handles to teach your child how to use the cup independently.

East-to-Clean Bibs

Bibs come in a variety of styles. You simply can’t go wrong here as long as you have enough on hand. Given that your kid will inevitably generate a lot of messes, you need bibs that are incredibly simple to clean. The ease of putting them on and taking them off your infant matters too.

Bibs made of waterproof material, and those with bottom pockets to catch spilled food can also be quite practical. You should make sure the bib fits your infant comfortably, stays on them well, and covers their chest area. Look for materials that are supple, flexible, and won’t scratch.

Splash Mat

Eating solids for the first time is a messy process. Your baby’s face, hands, and bib will be covered in food crumbs and blobs. But a lot of it will fall to the ground. You can count on having some sticky, difficult-to-clean puddles at your feet, especially if your baby is consuming purees.

Using a splash mat or splat mat on your floor can be helpful. These items are simple to clean since you can simply pick them up, run water over them, and watch the purees that have gone down the drain. Although you may also use newspaper or another temporary fix, a waterproof mat is usually more convenient.

Feeding Chair

Many parents think high chairs aren’t necessary when starting solids with their babies. However, sooner or later they all end up in stores looking for one. Why? Because finding comfortable baby feeding chairs is the easiest way to establish a safe eating environment for your little one. For that reason, high chairs come with straps or harness systems to ensure that your baby is secure and well-sited.

Baby feeding chairs are ideal when your infant can sit up without assistance. This normally occurs between five and six months of age. Budget, available space, and a chair’s ease of use should all be taken into account while choosing a high chair. Although you don’t have to spend a lot of money on a chair, it’s wise to choose one that will last especially if you intend to have more than one kid and that your infant seems to be at ease in.

It makes sense to try out a few seats before making a purchase. Make sure the chair has simple buckles that won’t irritate your baby’s skin and is straightforward to get your infant in and out of. Moreover, babies have a reputation for being messy eaters, so you should think about how simple it will be to clean up their high chairs after a messy meal. Most chairs have a wipeable vinyl seat.

Examine how the cushion and frame fit together while imagining an incident involving crumbs and applesauce. The better, the fewer seams and cracks there are. A tray-within-a-tray function, where the top tray pulls out for washing in your sink or dishwasher, is a recent improvement to high chairs. Some models even include a second tray, allowing you to use it in case the first one is being washed.

Freezer Tray

Let’s be honest, not every new food your baby tries will be a hit the first time. Save the leftovers in the freezer to try again if you can only persuade your little one to take a few bites or if you make more than you need to fill their little belly with PVC and BPA-free tray made of safe-food silicone featuring seven compartments. Serves fantastic as it sounds! Simply remove one of the scoops to defrost when it’s time to eat, and dinner will be ready! For simple clean-up, each tray is stain-resistant and dishwasher safe.

Fresh Foods Feeder

If giving your baby those first few nibbles makes you anxious about them choking, consider a fresh food feeder to start things off! The mesh feeder is BPA-free for safe sipping and holds larger food bits in place until your baby can chew them down to size. These feeders are also great for the painful teething stage since you can use them with frozen fruit your little munchkin can enjoy and relax chewing.