Your child gets to choose from the healthy foods you offer, but you might be wondering whether they can use spoons or have purées. Can you help them load the spoon and pick it up before feeding? What are the best feeding utensils for baby-led weaning? What spoons can they use, and how do you teach your baby to use a spoon in BLW? You can find our answers and suggestions below, mama.
Do You Use A Spoon In Baby-Led Weaning?
BLW pioneer Gill Dr. Rapley advocates offering your child healthy finger foods, but she isn’t against the idea of using cutlery in BLW either. (1)(2) She even recommends introducing your baby to cutlery, especially if they’re showing interest in practicing new skills or have become bored about eating meals with their hands. (2) Baby-led weaning doesn’t require spoons, but your baby might want to use one because the rest of the family uses it for eating. Many babies love to imitate others, and they might be curious about the spoon you’re using. Dr. Rapley reminds us that although your baby can use utensils, you don’t feed them. That’s how BLW can differ from spoon-feeding. It isn’t about whether your child uses a spoon or not. She adds: In BLW, babies feed themselves with the food options you prepared. So, it’s important to choose safe utensils for them, especially if they’re still learning how to use one.
Ways To Use Spoons In BLW
Preloaded Spoons You put food on the spoon and set it on the tray. Your baby then picks it up to self-feed. Complete Self-Feeding Your baby loads the spoon independently and brings it to their mouth. It might be messier, but it can help improve their hand-eye coordination and motor skills.
What Spoons To Use For Weaning?
There are plenty of baby forks and spoons for you to choose from, but it’s important to prioritize your baby’s safety more than a cute design just as we ensure that baby food is safe. It might take a bit of trial and error before you can find the best spoon that your baby likes best. The following are some tips for picking the right BLW spoons for your baby:
Materials
Silicone Your little one will use their feeding spoons several times a day, every day. Many of them even bite the cutlery, especially when they’re teething. So, we recommend choosing spoons made of food-grade silicone. You can check the label for dishwasher-safe chemical-free silicone materials. Stainless Steel Spoons made of stainless steel can help your toddler transition to regular silverware, but they might be too hard on baby gums. Stainless steel can be a good option for children over 12 months old, but silicone baby spoons and other feeding utensils might be better for your younger ones. Another option is to pick a spoon made from a mix of stainless steel and soft silicone. Bamboo You can also opt for bamboo spoons. Some are made with a mix of silicone, too. BPA-Free Plastic Try to stay away from any form of plastics, if possible. They can contain BPA (bisphenol-A) and phthalates. BPA is a toxic material commonly used in making hard, clear plastics. It can have many possible negative health effects, including the following: (3)(4)
It can affect children’s behavior. It can disrupt brain and reproductive system development. It might increase the risks of heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes.
BPA-free plastics are now available. However, studies show that these can still have other forms of harmful contaminants which might have similar effects as the toxic BPA they’re supposed to replace. (5) Phthalates are used for making soft, flexible plastics more durable. But they can also cause the following negative effects: (4)(6)
Possible disruption in reproductive development and fertility Asthma Allergies
Shape And Size
Chunky Vs. Slender Handles Baby-led weaning promotes independence, with babies learning to feed themselves by picking up their food with their fingers. It can help your baby improve their fine motor skills. Another alternative is scooping their food with spoons. Babies starting to self-feed might find it challenging to coordinate their movements so they can bring the food to their mouths. And they can experience the same with feeding spoons. So, it can be a good idea to pick short spoons with chunky or curved handles that their small hands can grab. Your baby might be ready for a slender spoon as they grow older (around one year old and above). It can also help them transition to regular flatware. Deep Vs. Shallow Spoon These days, you can find options for starter spoons, sometimes called “pre-spoons” or first-stage spoons. They’re flat and might have holes in the middle. These are supposed to help beginners scoop some food and put it in their mouths. They’re designed for beginners who are still learning how to use their oral muscles to get food from the spoon to their mouth. There are also other shallow spoons without holes in the middle. Most infant spoons are shallow, while regular spoons have deep bowls.
Extra Features
Self-feeding can be a challenge, especially because your child controls the spoon they put in their mouth. Some spoons have shields that can prevent your baby from sticking too deeply inside their mouths. These can be a good option, especially for babies who might gag a lot during self-feeding. Some spoons also have slots so you can tie them to the high chair or clip on your baby’s bib to prevent them from falling to the floor. Others might have sensory bumps or can double as teethers.
The Best Baby Spoons For BLW
All the spoons below are made of silicone. They also have thicker, chubbier handles for little hands to hold while self-feeding.
Pre-Spoons And Starter Spoons
NumNum Pre-Spoon Gootensils
Set with two starter spoons: $13 Stage One pre-spoon has dimples (for grabbing just enough food) Stage Two pre-spoon has channels (for scooping and holding food) Textured surface can soothe sore gums
ChooMee FlexiDip Starter Spoon
Two spoons per set: $9.99 Non-directional spoon that can grip food within the channels Chew-friendly surface that can be ideal for teething Features a safety tether to loop
eZtotZ Little Dippers Self Feeding Starter Spoon
One set, two spoons: $11.99 Flat training spoon with anti-choke guard Stage One spoon (for dipping into thinner foods such as purées) Stage Two spoon (for scooping thicker foods)
Olababy Silicone Soft-Tip Training Spoon Teether
Training spoon set, two pieces: $14.95 Beautiful spoon shaped like a leaf Ribbed stem surface can provide a firm grip for little hands
Anti-Choke Baby Spoons
Termichy Spoon and Fork Set
Baby fork and spoon set: $8.99 Detachable choke barrier for easy cleaning and storage It can be used as a teether.
Dr. Brown’s Silicone Starter Spoon
One piece: $4.99 It has a cute turtle design. The ring shape can make it easy for small hands to hold, while the textured arms can massage sore gums.
GrabEASE Double Silicone Spoons
Two spoons: $13.95 Choke-free protection barrier Silicone spoon and teether in one
Munchkin Gentle Scoop Silicone Trainer Spoon
Two pieces: $5.50 It has a choke guard that doubles as a spoon rest.
Classic Design Silicone Spoons
Beaba Baby’s First Foods Silicone Spoon
Four pieces: $19.95 Soft enough not to hurt your baby’s gums You can also put this in the freezer and use it as a teether for sore gums.
Learn more about each baby-led weaning spoon below.
NumNum Pre-Spoon Gootensils
Price
Set with two pre-spoons: $13
Key Features
Material: Premium food-grade silicone and nylon
Product Safety: Free from PVC, BPA, or phthalates
Other Special Features:
Dishwasher safe Textured surface can soothe sore gums Thick handle for a comfortable, secure fit in little hands Flat design Stage One pre-spoon has dimples for grabbing just enough food Stage Two pre-spoon has channels that capture and hold food
Product Recall
None
Cons
Babies can use Stage Two for foods with a thicker consistency. It might be prone to discoloration with colored foods. Some customers complain about the head part separating from the rest of the spoon.
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews “Perfect for kids learning to eat. It lets my baby have her independence and builds skills of hand eye coordination, and cuts down on mess considerably. She can actually get food in her mouth!” – Reviewer on NumNum Baby’s website. Negative Reviews
ChooMee FlexiDip Starter Spoon
Price
Two spoons per set: $9.99
Key Features
Material: 100% premium-grade platinum silicone
Product Safety: Chew-friendly surface that can be ideal for teething, with a safety tether to loop
Other Special Features:
Flat, non-directional design that can grip purées within its food channels Soft silicone neck Firm handles without using plastics Dishwasher, sterilizer, and boil safe
Product Recall
None
Cons
Babies can also use it for foods with a thicker consistency.
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews Negative Reviews
eZtotZ Little Dippers Self Feeding Starter Spoon
Price
One set, two spoons: $11.99
Key Features
Material: 100% food-grade, FDA-approved, soft, and flexible silicone
Product Safety: BPA-free, USA-made, and meets all safety standards of a third-party tester.
Other Special Features:
It’s designed with a choke guard. The Stage One spoon is for dipping into thinner foods such as purées. The Stage Two spoon is for thicker foods. Chubby handles for little hands to hold easily. Dishwasher safe
Product Recall
None
Cons
Babies can’t use this for thin purées and other foods with similar consistency, but it can be good for those with a thicker consistency.
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews “These spoons are easy for babies to use. The food somehow seems to magically stick to them. The stuff they are made out of is soft and doesn’t hurt sensitive teething gums.” – Reviewer on eZtotZ’s website. Negative Reviews “I do not like these at all. I feel like more food gets everywhere else but the babies mouth.” – Reviewer on Walmart.
Olababy Silicone Soft-Tip Training Spoon Teether
Price
Training spoon set, two pieces: $14.95
Key Features
Material: 100% high purity FDA-grade silicone
Product Safety: 100% BPA, PVC, lead, and phthalates free
Other Special Features:
Beautiful spoon shaped like a leaf Ribbed stem surface can provide a firm grip for little hands It can promote self-feeding.
Product Recall
None.
Cons
Some customers complain that the product is too soft and easy to break or crack.
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews “My six month old absolutely loves these spoons! They are so gentle on her gums that she enjoys chewing on them in between meals. They scoop just the right amount of food and at any angle.” – Reviewer on Olababy’s website. Negative Reviews
Termichy Spoon and Fork Set
Price
Baby fork and spoon set: $8.99
Key Features
Material: Premium chewable 100% food-grade silicone material
Product Safety: BPA-free and non-toxic
Other Special Features:
It has a protective choke barrier. The choke barrier can be detached for easy cleaning and storage. It can be used as a teether. The short, fat handle can be easy to grip with tiny hands. Dishwasher safe Microwave and freezer safe
Product Recall
None
Cons
It might be too small and won’t be used for long by your growing baby.
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews Negative Reviews
Dr. Brown’s Silicone Starter Spoon
Price
One piece: $4.99
Key Features
Material: 100% silicone material
Product Safety: BPA-free
Other Special Features:
It features a soft, shallow spoon bowl. It has a cute turtle design. It can double as a teether. The ring shape can make it easy for small hands to hold. The textured arms can massage sore gums. Dishwasher (top rack), sterilizer, microwave, and freezer safe.
Product Recall
None
Cons
Some parents think it’s difficult to use it as a spoon.
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews “It’s very easy to use my child is teething and she loves to chew on it and I am even trying to encourage her for self feeding.” – Reviewer on Dr. Brown’s website. Negative Reviews
GrabEASE Double Silicone Spoons
Price
Two spoons: $13.95
Key Features
Material: Silicone
Product Safety: Free from BPA, phthalates, and PVC
Other Special Features:
Silicone spoon and teether in one Choke-free protection barrier Soft spoon can double as a teether and might not hurt your baby’s gums Short, thick handle that tiny hands can grab Dishwasher safe
Product Recall
None
Cons
It’s small and might only be ideal for beginners or smaller babies around six months old.
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews Negative Reviews “Small spoons to combine delicious silicone The price is expensive and you can find a better price for such a product.” – Reviewer on iHerb.
Munchkin Gentle Scoop Silicone Trainer Spoon
Price
Four pieces: $10.95 Two pieces: $5.50
Key Features
Material: Ultra-soft silicone
Product Safety: BPA-free
Other Special Features:
It has a choke guard that doubles as a spoon rest Dishwasher safe
Product Recall
None
Cons
The clear choke guard might be prone to discoloration. The silicone can absorb strong scents such as dishwashing soap.
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews Negative Reviews
Beaba Baby’s First Foods Silicone Spoon
Price
Four pieces: $19.95
Key Features
Material: 100% silicone
Product Safety: BPA, lead, and phthalate-free
Other Special Features:
Steam sterilizer and dishwasher safe Soft enough not to hurt your baby’s gums You can also put this in the freezer and use it as a teether for sore gums.
Product Recall
None
Cons
The material can be prone to staining.
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews “These little spoons were perfect for my little one’s first solids- the right shape for baby’s mouth, he’s able to get quite a bit off the spoon and chomp on it if he wants, bc it’s soft on his gums.” – Reviewer on Beaba USA’s website. Negative Reviews “Like the shape & material but as soon as you use staining food ie: tomatoes, red pepper even sweet potatoes the silicone stains and looks dirty.” – Reviewer on Beaba USA’s website.
Summary & Recommendations
Here are our recommendations for choosing the right BLW spoons for your child: Choose NumNum Pre-Spoon Gootensils (two starter spoons: $13) if:
You’re looking for a starter spoon set with flat heads and a textured surface that can soothe sore gums
Choose ChooMee FlexiDip Starter Spoon (two spoons per set: $9.99) if:
You’re looking for a non-directional spoon that can grip food its channels You prefer a chew-friendly surface that can be ideal for teething You like having extra features such as a safety tether to loop
Choose eZtotZ Little Dippers Self Feeding Starter Spoon (two spoons: $11.99) if:
You’re looking for a flat training spoon with an anti-choke guard You want a starter spoon set with a flat and rounded or deep bowl for scooping thicker foods
Choose Olababy Silicone Soft-Tip Training Spoon Teether (two pieces: $14.95) if:
You prefer a stylish spoon with a beautiful design shaped like a leaf You like the ribbed stem surface that can provide a firm grip for little hands
Choose Termichy Spoon and Fork Set (complete set: $8.99) if:
You prefer cutlery set with a spoon and fork for your baby You’re looking for a baby spoon with a detachable choke barrier for easy cleaning and storage Your baby can also use it as a teether
Choose Dr. Brown’s Silicone Starter Spoon (one piece: $4.99) if:
You’re looking for a cute design that can encourage feeding You prefer having a cute turtle design You like the ring shape that can make it easy for your baby’s small hands to hold You prefer a spoon with textured arms that can massage sore gums
Choose GrabEASE Double Silicone Spoons (two spoons: $13.95) if:
Choke-free protection barrier Silicone spoon and teether in one
Choose Munchkin Gentle Scoop Silicone Trainer Spoon (two pieces: $5.50) if:
You’re looking for a budget-friendly baby spoon with a choke guard that doubles as a spoon rest.
Choose Beaba Baby’s First Foods Silicone Spoon (four pieces: $19.95) if:
You’re searching for a spoon soft enough not to hurt your baby’s gums You like one that your baby can use as a teether for sore gums
What Are The Best Utensils For Baby-Led Weaning?
The best utensils are those that can promote self-feeding and also help minimize the mess in BLW. Aside from spoons, these are other BLW feeding utensils and tools you can consider:
High chair Mini mat Baby placemat Splat mat Bibs Regular or sectioned plates Bowls Cups Smock apron Silicone placemat Chair harness (for a high chair on the go)
But you don’t have to get all these feeding accessories. What’s important is that your baby can have a secured place to eat, preferably a high chair. They can even use the high chair’s tray directly for their food.
BPA-Free Mixed-Material Spoons
These spoons are also designed for kids:
First Essentials by NUK Kiddy Cutlery Spoons BABYBJÖRN Baby Spoon and Fork OXO Feeding Spoon Set with Soft Silicone GrabEASE First Self-Feed Baby Utensils Dinneractive Utensil Set for Kids Termichy Heat-Changing Baby Feeding Spoons
Nuby Hot Safe Feeding Spoons
They’re made with a mix of BPA-free plastic with stainless steel, silicone, or bamboo. They can be sturdier than 100% silicone spoons. However, although they’re marketed as safe for babies, some studies show that toxic materials might still be present in BPA-free plastics. (5)
How Do I Teach My Kid To Use A Spoon In BLW?
There can be different ways to do this.
By Modeling
Babies can learn by observing how you or other family members use spoons. It’s another benefit they can enjoy if they join family meals in BLW. You can show them how to pick up their spoon by modeling. Many babies love to imitate, so they might enjoy learning how to use a spoon by watching you do it. You can practice the movements without food for at least a few tries. Try to be patient because your baby might not learn to do this quickly. Some parents opt to get their babies the pre-spoons or starter spoons because the flat end doesn’t require knowing which side is up.
Preloading The Spoon
Practicing by scooping air can be fun and easy for your baby, but it might not be as easy with food. They might need to take time getting used to bending their wrist to scoop the food and bring it to their mouth. One way to help them learn is to preload the spoon. You can still do this with their food bowl or plate in front of them. Then, let your baby pick up the spoon by themselves. You can continue modeling how to get the spoon to their mouth.
Letting Them Explore
You can also just let your child have a go at exploring the spoon and learning how they can use it to get food. Place a bowl of easy-to-scoop food such as mashed fruit or a lumpy purée in front of your baby. Give them a spoon and show them how it’s used, but let them explore it independently. They can learn to coordinate their movements to pick up the spoon and their food as they continue exploring. REFERENCES (1) http://www.rapleyweaning.com/assets/Defining_BLW_v2.pdf (2) http://www.rapleyweaning.com/assets/My_baby_isn’t_a_good_eater.pdf (3) https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/bpa/faq-20058331 (4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7218126/ (5) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4063249/ (6) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2873014/
