Remember the first time you tried to feed your little one? That tiny mouth, those eager eyes, and the sheer chaos of mushy food flying everywhere? It’s a beautiful mess, but one common hurdle parents face is choosing the perfect first spoon. It sounds simple, right? Just grab any small spoon. Wrong! The world of infant feeding tools is surprisingly complex, filled with materials, shapes, and sizes that can make your head spin.
Choosing the wrong spoon can lead to frustrated feedings, sore gums, or even picky eating habits down the road. Are silicone spoons truly better than metal? Should the handle be long or short? These small decisions actually make a big difference in building a positive relationship with solid foods. We know you want the best for your baby, and we are here to cut through the noise.
By the end of this guide, you will understand exactly what features matter most. We will break down the pros and cons of different materials and designs, helping you select the ideal spoon that makes feeding time easier, safer, and more enjoyable for both you and your growing baby. Let’s dive into the essential guide for picking the best infant spoons for your little foodie!
Top Infant Spoons Recommendations
- 100% Baby Safe Silicone: The baby spoons are made from 100% premium food-grade silicone. Safe for babies with no BPA, no PVC, no phthalates or anything harmful or toxic. It has no potential compositional-danger to children even chewed by teeth. Mummy can use them to feed baby with ease. And silicone material has better heat resistance than metal or plastic, babies would love to use it.
- Made For Stage 1 Feeding: 6-pack of different colors, every color of the spoon is soft, muted and pastel that is comfortable to babies’ eyes for their sight development instead of harsh saturated colors. Each one features 6.3” in the whole length and 0.78 wide of the head, which is the perfect size for small hands and mouths, and handle is long enough for them to hold and grip. Excellent for first stage feeding or independent eating.
- Soft, Pliable Spoon & Tip: Spoons are smooth and comfortable for baby's soft and fragile hands without the cumbersome carvings and patterns that rub hands. The flexible and soft spoon tips have no support inside and are not hard like plastic or metal spoons, which are good protection for babies' delicate and sensitive mouths and developing teeth. Smooth design prevents water and food from getting trapped, starting solids is a breeze with our silicone spoons!
- Bendable Design: The handle can be bent into some desired positions to help the baby have an easier use or a better learn to use the spoon, and it also helps moms to feed her sideways or on front. Let your child eat with less mess and encourage them to self-eating. But the spoon is ultra-durable, although it can be bent at will, so mothers don’t have to worry about it cracking or breaking.
- Essential With Babies & Easy To Clean: With the soft and colorful design, they are perfect for your little one’s mealtime like puréed foods, fruits, and yogurt. It also stands up to teething, throwing and tossing. The material is naturally stain-resistant and odor-resistant that is also dishwasher safe to be easily cleaned and boil-proof for an extra deep clean.
- Soft-tip spoons are gentle on tender and teething gums.
- Long handle helps get every last bit from from jar.
- Flexible, shallow scoop makes mealtime easier for baby.
- Wide-base elevation stays sturdy on table for mess-free feeding.
- Dishwasher and sterilizer safe, BPA free, 4m+
- DESIGNED FOR LITTLE HANDS AGES 6 TO 18 MONTHS This clever Pre-Spoon, tailored for tiny hands, eliminates scooping and balancing struggles. Best of all, there is no wrong way to hold it, thanks to its secret: a thick contoured handle that provides a secure, no-slip grip. Ideal for use at home, daycare, or even while traveling so your baby can practice mealtime skills anywhere.
- EASY SELF-FEEDING FOR THE FIRST STAGE Make the starting solids transition easier (and more fun) for baby. Each set comes with a pre-spoon perfect for purees, doubling as a teether for sore gums, along with an open-channel spoon designed to grip soft solids. These spoons help teach the skills and motions needed to graduate to a traditional spoon, without requiring wrist rotation to use, a skill children typically do not develop until 2 years old. Caregivers love how these spoons reduce mealtime mess and frustration.
- PERFECT FOR ALL TYPES OF FOOD These versatile spoons, designed for babies aged 6 months and up, are a mealtime must-have as your child’s eating habits mature. Add this essential to your baby registry now for when baby is ready to start soft solids. Unlike traditional spoons, GOOtensils grip the food to help keep things less messy, from first purees at home to soft solids on the go, adapting to every feeding stage.
- EASY TO HOLD FOR BABY LED WEANING Let baby lead the way. Our innovative patented Pre-Spoon has a unique all-flat design that empowers your little one on their baby led weaning (BLW) journey. While other baby spoons are too long or too flexible, this one is just right, allowing little hands to self-feed with ease and without frustration. Perfect for parents embracing BLW who want a safe, confidence-building utensil for their child.
- SIMPLE TO CLEAN AND PEDIATRIC OT RECOMMENDED Approved and tested by baby care experts, our spoons are incredibly durable, ensuring long-lasting use. Made with food-grade silicone, they are free from harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates so you can feel good about giving them to your little one. Clean up is easy in the dishwasher. Microwave or steam-sterilizing is not recommended and not needed. Trusted by pediatric OTs and loved by parents who want safe, practical, and travel-friendly feeding tools.
- SAFE FEEDING. Dr. Brown’s TempCheck Spoons start to turn clear when food is too hot (from 105 degrees F or 40.56 C and higher).
- GENTLE ON BABY. Soft, 100% silicone safety spoon is gentle on tender and teething gums.
- EASY FOR LITTLE MOUTHS. Flexible, shallow scoop is easier for little mouths to use
- LESS MESS HANDLE. The long handle makes it less messy to get every bite from the jar and the elevated spoon rest keeps mess off the table.
- RICH COLOR OPTIONS. 4-pack spoons come in a variety of rich purple, teal, blue and red colors.
- Feeding Littles' occupational therapist Judy Delaware OTR/L, CLC and registered dietitian Megan McNamee MPH, RDN specially curated and endorsed this bundle for maximum mealtime engagement and development!
- Baby Utensils for Ages 6 Months to 18 Months: No scooping, no balancing, and best of all: no wrong way to hold it! Thicker, contoured handled baby spoons designed to comfortably and securely fit a child's hand.
- Baby Feeding For First Stage + Second Stage: Set Includes: Stage One GOOtensil for beginners (also acts as a teether for sore gums) + Stage Two GOOtensil toddlers capable of the food-to-mouth motion, ideal for mealtime at home, daycare, or while traveling.
- Perfect for All Types of Food: Designed to work great with purees (first stage spoon) and soft or solid foods (second stage spoon) anything you want to put in the bowl!
- Baby Led Weaning Spoon: The rigid build of GOOtensils makes them easier for manueverability. Other floppy and overly flexible baby spoons can cause difficulty for a child with limited skills.
- First Stage Feeding Spoon: 6 different color baby spoons are designed for First Stage self-feeding 6 months+ babies. The flexible and soft spoon tip is suitable for various feeding situations, and the lightweight small spoons handle is easy for babies to grip, which encourages them to eat independently and achieve easy self-feeding, which is a baby essentials!
- Practical: Our silicone baby feeding spoons are not afraid of hot or cold, sturdy structure, no fillers, you don't have to worry about food or liquids getting stuck inside, the soft tip is gentle on gums and developing teeth, very safe for babies!
- Quality Material: The baby spoon is made of 100% food grade silicone, BPA free, durable and soft.
- Perfect Baby Led Weaning Spoons: Our toddler spoons make meals and cleanup quick and easy, not only a newborn essentials must haves, but also a perfect gift to share with your friends and family on any occasion!
- Easy to Clean: Our baby spoons are easy to clean, just rinse with water or soapy water, dishwasher safe and boil safe.
- 100% Baby Safe Silicone: The baby spoons are made from 100% premium food-grade silicone. Safe for babies with no BPA, no PVC, no phthalates or anything harmful or toxic. It has no potential compositional-danger to children even chewed by teeth. Mummy can use them to feed baby with ease. And silicone material has better heat resistance than metal or plastic, babies would love to use it.
- Made For Stage 1 Feeding: 6-pack of different colors, every color of the spoon is soft, muted and pastel that is comfortable to babies’ eyes for their sight development instead of harsh saturated colors. Each one features 6.3” in the whole length and 0.78 wide of the head, which is the perfect size for small hands and mouths, and handle is long enough for them to hold and grip. Excellent for first stage feeding or independent eating.
- Soft, Pliable Spoon & Tip: Spoons are smooth and comfortable for baby's soft and fragile hands without the cumbersome carvings and patterns that rub hands. The flexible and soft spoon tips have no support inside and are not hard like plastic or metal spoons, which are good protection for babies' delicate and sensitive mouths and developing teeth. Smooth design prevents water and food from getting trapped, starting solids is a breeze with our silicone spoons!
- Bendable Design: The handle can be bent into some desired positions to help the baby have an easier use or a better learn to use the spoon, and it also helps moms to feed her sideways or on front. Let your child eat with less mess and encourage them to self-eating. But the spoon is ultra-durable, although it can be bent at will, so mothers don’t have to worry about it cracking or breaking. crevices
- Essential With Babies & Easy To Clean: With the soft and colorful design, they are perfect for your little one’s mealtime like puréed foods, fruits, and yogurt. It also stands up to teething, throwing and tossing. The material is naturally stain-resistant and odor-resistant that is also dishwasher safe to be easily cleaned and boil-proof for an extra deep clean.
- SPOON SET FOR BABIES 6+ MONTHS: Nuby Baby's First Spoons empower little ones to embrace self-feeding and enhance their motor skills from 6+ months onward
- MULTI-STAGE FEEDING: These spoons are designed to support each stage of your baby's self-feeding journey, from soothing sore gums with Stage 1 for thin purees to scooping up thicker foods like oatmeal with Stage 2, and transitioning to semi-solid foods with Stage 3
- EASY GRIP DESIGN: These spoons are crafted with baby's hands in mind, featuring an easy-to-grasp design that promotes independence and helps develop fine motor skills
- EASY CLEANING: Nuby Baby's First Spoons are top-rack dishwasher safe, ensuring hassle-free cleaning for busy parents
- SAFETY FIRST: Parents can feel safe knowing Nuby products are developed, researched, and manufactured to exceed all government safety regulations and standards
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Infant Spoons: Starting Solids Successfully
Welcome to the exciting world of feeding your little one! Choosing the right spoon is a small step that makes a big difference in those first messy, wonderful mealtimes. This guide helps you pick the best tools for your baby’s journey into solid foods.
Key Features to Look For
The perfect infant spoon balances safety, comfort, and ease of use for both parent and baby. Here are the must-have features:
- Small, Shallow Bowls: Babies have tiny mouths. A small, slightly shallow spoon head fits comfortably without overwhelming them. This helps them learn to scoop food effectively.
- Ergonomic Handles: Look for handles that are long enough for you to reach the bowl easily, but also have a comfortable grip for when your toddler takes over. Curved or slightly angled handles often work best.
- Soft Tips: Since baby gums are sensitive, the spoon tip must be soft. Silicone or soft plastic prevents scratching the gums or developing teeth.
- Heat-Sensitive Technology (Bonus): Some modern spoons change color if the food is too hot. This is a fantastic safety feature to prevent burns.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Spoon Quality
Not all spoons are created equal. Quality really matters when it comes to durability and safety.
Improving Quality:
- Durability: High-quality spoons resist staining from foods like carrots or tomatoes. They also handle repeated trips through the dishwasher without warping or cracking.
- Design for Self-Feeding: Spoons designed with a flat edge or a slight curve can help babies scoop food off the tray more easily, boosting their confidence.
- Good Weight: A spoon should feel sturdy but not heavy. A well-balanced spoon is easier for tiny hands to control.
Reducing Quality (What to Avoid):
- Sharp Edges: Immediately discard any spoon that has sharp seams or rough plastic edges where the handle meets the bowl. These can hurt your baby.
- Deep Bowls: Spoons with deep bowls trap too much food, making it hard for the baby to get the food off the spoon in one go.
- BPA and Phthalate Content: Always check the packaging. Ensure the materials are certified food-grade and free from harmful chemicals.
Important Materials
The material dictates safety, feel, and longevity.
- Silicone: This is the gold standard. Silicone is naturally very soft, heat-resistant, and durable. It offers the best protection for sensitive gums.
- BPA-Free Plastic (Polypropylene): A common, affordable option. Ensure it explicitly states “BPA-Free.” Good quality plastic spoons are lightweight.
- Stainless Steel (For Older Toddlers): While metal is durable, it should only be used once the baby has most of their teeth and gums are tougher. Always use metal spoons with soft silicone tips for beginners.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you will actually use the spoon during mealtime chaos.
For the Parent Feeding: You need a long handle. When you feed your baby, you are leaning over the highchair tray. A longer handle gives you better leverage and keeps your knuckles out of the baby food.
For the Baby Learning to Self-Feed (Around 9+ Months): The handle needs to be short, chunky, and easy to grip. Babies often hold the spoon upside down or sideways at first. Thicker handles provide better dexterity training.
Cleaning: All spoons must be dishwasher safe. Handwashing is fine, but for busy parents, top-rack dishwasher safety is essential for hygiene.
Infant Spoon Buying Guide: 10 FAQs
Q: When should I start using baby spoons?
A: You can introduce spoons when you start offering purees, usually around 4 to 6 months old. Begin with soft silicone spoons.
Q: Are metal spoons safe for infants?
A: Metal spoons are generally too hard for new eaters. Use them only once your baby has several teeth and their gums are stronger, and always check that the edges are smooth.
Q: How do I clean infant spoons safely?
A: Most are top-rack dishwasher safe. For thorough cleaning, use hot, soapy water and check the handle where it meets the bowl for trapped food residue.
Q: What does “BPA-Free” mean?
A: BPA stands for Bisphenol A, a chemical once used in plastics. “BPA-Free” means the spoon does not contain this chemical, making it safer for your baby to ingest residue from.
Q: Why are some spoon handles bent or angled?
A: Angled handles help parents feed babies who are still mastering head control. The angle positions the food toward the baby’s mouth more naturally.
Q: Should I buy spoons with suction cups on the bottom?
A: Spoons with suction bases stick to the tray, preventing your baby from throwing them onto the floor. This is a great feature for minimizing mess.
Q: How many spoons do I really need?
A: Start with a set of 4 to 6 spoons. This accounts for frequent spitting up, dropping them, and keeping a clean supply ready for the day.
Q: Do I need different spoons for purees versus mashed food?
A: Not necessarily. A good quality silicone spoon works well for both thin purees and thicker mashed textures initially. As your child grows, you might switch to slightly deeper spoons.
Q: How can I tell if a spoon tip is too hard?
A: Press the tip firmly with your fingernail. If it leaves a noticeable dent or feels stiff like a plastic toothbrush, it is probably too hard for a brand new eater.
Q: What is the best time to transition to toddler spoons?
A: Around 12 months, when your child starts showing strong interest in feeding themselves, you can introduce slightly larger, sturdier toddler spoons designed specifically for gripping practice.