The Best Baby Spoons

Do you need baby spoons?

When it comes to purées and solids, babies eat with their hands and utensils. Their hand-eye coordination may not be the best, so they`ll likely need your help at first.

As they get older and enter toddlerhood, learning to use spoons and other utensils is a developmental milestone. So, while you don`t necessarily have to use a spoon from day one (especially if you`re following baby-led weaning), it`s not a bad idea to add one to your bag of tricks.

When can you start using baby spoons?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, babies can start using spoons when they`re ready to eat solid foods. Currently, the recommended age for starting solids is 6 months old. At this age, it`s appropriate to give babies food from a small spoonwith supervision.

You can also give your baby an easy-to-grasp spoon to practice with on their own or to chew for teething. Again, you`ll always want to be watching what your little one is up to when they`re eating or using tools like spoons.

Best baby spoon and fork set

This adorable and colorful Silicone Spoon and fork set is appropriate for use as soon as your baby starts eating solids. The spoon has special sensory bumps on it to stimulate gums and both pieces are a durable, one-piece construction, which makes for easy cleaning (they`re also top rack dishwasher safe).

Considerations: A few people say they`re fun to chew but that they`re a bit too chubby to use for actual eating. And one reviewer says the company gets an [A for effort" but that these utensils really aren`t useful for babies over 8 months old.

What are the different types of baby spoons?

You`ve probably seen a wide variety of baby utensils at your local big box store or online. There are certainly a number of choices that have different shapes, materials, and purposes. Here`s what you might encounter:

• Long-handled baby spoons. These tend to be good for parents looking to feed babies. The handle length helps the food reach the baby without parents having to overextend their arms/wrists.
• Short-handled baby spoons. These are usually easy to hold and make a good choice for teaching babies how to use spoons independently.
• Travel spoons. These may fold or be small enough to easily stow in a carry case for on-the-go feeding sessions.
• Temperature-sensitive spoons. These change color as an added safety feature. They show parents when foods might be too hot to feed to babies.
• Organic or eco-friendly baby spoons. These are made from natural materials that are better for the planet and may be safer for your baby.
• Baby-led weaning spoons. These help even the youngest babies get food to their mouths. Usually spoons in the category have a unique design.
• Bendable or loadable baby spoons. Baby spoons that bend or allow you to load them with food may be worth trying if you have a picky eater or need some extra help with mealtime.

What to look for in a baby spoon

When choosing a baby spoon for your little one, you`ll want to consider the following:

• Material. Spoons come in materials ranging from plastic to silicone to metal and more. If your baby likes to bite everything while teething, you may want to choose a softer material. On the other hand, you may prefer an eco-friendly material or a traditional metal utensil experience.
• Construction. Some spoons are made from one material while others combine two or more materials, for example plastic and metal. Spoons that are all one piece may be easier to clean and less likely to break.
• Cost. You can get basic baby spoons very inexpensively. Those that have special materials or added features may cost more.
• Added features. Do you need a spoon to do double-duty? You can find spoons that work as teethers. Others, like folding spoons, are good for if you travel or are otherwise on the go.