Many parents are a little overwhelmed with baby dinnerware. The use of baby dinnerware by infants and young children is a concern. So we'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about silicone baby tableware.

 

Things that are often asked include:

When should we introduce tableware to our baby?

When should babies feed themselves well with dinnerware?

Is silicone baby tableware safe?

First and foremost - remember that all babies are very different and will develop skills regarding feeding and feeding at very different rates. Your baby is unique and all children will eventually be able to use cutlery and they will get there.

 

Baby tableware use is a skill that needs to be developed

Babies develop skills in using baby dinnerware through experience. It's not something they'll grasp right away, so it's really a case of practice makes perfect. However, here are some feeding skills related to utensil use that babies will begin to develop during weaning:

Before 6 months, babies usually open their mouths or spoons offered to them.

Around 7 months, babies will begin to develop the skills needed to bring their lips to the spoon and use their upper lip to clear food from the spoon.

At about 9 months of age, babies usually begin to show more interest in feeding themselves. They also began to pick up food with their thumb and index finger, which aided in self-feeding.

Most babies will begin to hone their spoon feeding skills so they can do well between 15 and 18 months.

What's the best way to get your baby started using utensils? Good role model! Showing your baby that you are using the utensils and feeding yourself is absolutely key, as they will learn a lot from these observations.

 

How to get baby to start using baby dinneware?

I advocate mixing finger foods and serving mashed/mashed potatoes with a spoon (not just BLW), so if you're going this route too, I recommend serving your baby a spoon from day one of the weaning journey.

Ideally, it's best to start your baby with just a spoon and let them focus their practice and skill building on this tool. Try to choose a spoon that is good and soft so that the edge of the spoon rests easily on your baby's gums. Another small spoon that doesn't conduct heat would also be nice. I actually really like silicone spoons as first spoons and babies often like to chew on them when they are teething.

Once your baby starts showing signs of wanting to take the spoon from you - go for it and let them practice! Load them with spoons first, since they don't have the skills to do so yet, let them pick them up and feed themselves.

For babies who aren't interested in holding a spoon, you can definitely try dipping the spoon in some mashed potatoes and simply handing it to the baby/putting it next to them and letting them explore. Remember, the first few weeks of weaning are for them to taste food, they don't need to gobble it.

Try a variety of spoons - some babies prefer larger spoons, others like larger handles, etc., so try a variety of different spoons if you can.

Do a lot of characterizing and let your baby see yourself using the spoon - they will learn and replicate a lot of what you do.

Once your baby starts to feel more confident with the spoon and more adventurous about feeding themselves (usually from around 9 months), you can start holding your baby's hand and show them how to spoon food onto the spoon and feed them yourself feeding. This requires a lot of work and development, so be patient and don't expect a lot of mess.

Once you feel like your little one has really mastered the spoon (not necessarily the scooping action, which usually happens later), you can start introducing the spoon along with the fork. This could be at 9, 10 months or when the baby is over a year old. They are all different and just go at the baby's rhythm. They will get there.

 

Is silicone baby tableware safe?

Fortunately, silicone does not contain any BPA, making it a safer choice than plastic bowls or plates. Silicone is soft and elastic. Silicone is a very soft material, much like rubber. Silicone baby bowls and plates made of silicone will not shatter into several sharp pieces when dropped and are safe for your child. 

Melikey Silicone Baby Cutlery uses only 100% food safe silicone without any fillers. Our products are always tested by third party laboratories and meet or exceed all US and European safety standards set by CPSIA, FDA and CE.

 

Summary:

Finally getting kids to use utensils is about practice! They will develop skills and coordination in using spoons/forks and other utensils as they practice using them. You don't have to worry too much about getting them to use them super accurately, set an example for them and give them a chance to try it themselves.

It takes a lot of experience and time to use utensils effectively - they don't get it right away.

 

Melikey Silicone is the leading silicone baby dinnerware supplier, baby tableware manufacturer. We have our own silicone baby products factoy and provide food grade wholesale silicone baby feeding set. Professional R&D team and one-stop service.