How to successfully let baby using a spoon (with recipes!)

Does your baby love to self-feed with fingers, but isn’t keen on using a spoon?  

While self-feeding using fingers is an important skill, so is learning to use a spoon. It’s a developmental milestone that kids achieve shortly after the 1st year & gain refined skill by age 2. 

Kids may prefer using their fingers because they get feedback through the skin, muscles & joints that helps them feel safe. With a spoon, the feedback is primarily via the lips, tongue & mouth. That’s why it’s so important for babies to go through 2 stages of mouth play: generalized mouthing in infancy & discriminative mouthing at about 4 to 5 months of age. That means baby is gaining the motor skills to intentionally move teethers & toys in her mouth as she explores the shape & texture. Most importantly, she gets to experience exactly how her body responds to that stimuli before food is introduced!

By 9 months of age, when kids aren’t comfortable with a spoon in their mouths, they may have missed out on this type of exploration.  Offer opportunities throughout the day (always when your child is safely seated) to mouth safe, flexible mouth toys. The grabease 2-in-1 self-feeding silicone spoon is a bit smaller than the grabease utensils, flexible & has a texture handle.  It’s a great first spoon for dipping & building confidence in a child who is hesitant.  

Got a toddler who isn’t keen on self-feeding with utensils? Offer the slightly larger grabease utensils during pretend play & let her lick & bite without the sensory component of food in her mouth. Keep offering the spoon at snack/mealtimes, too.  Give it a month & if your child is still hesitating, contact an occupational therapist or a speech language pathologist who specializes in feeding to offer specific strategies for your older child."

Mashed Sweet Potato

Sweet potato is a good start to introduce vegetables to your baby. Peel and roughly chop the sweet potato before boiling. Wait until tender, then transfer to a bowl to mash. Seasonings like salt, pepper, and garlic powder can be added for taste. Mashed food is a great way to teach your baby how to use a spoon. It doesn’t require much chewing either, since they have yet to develop teeth.

Ensure that the spoon your child is using is fit for their needs. Baby spoons allow for better grip and are made soft since their teeth are still growing. Choosing a brightly colored spoon can also entice your baby to eat on their own.

Grabease Silicone Spoons are patented, pediatrician tested and come in fun colors.

Scrambled Eggs

Eggs are a good source of protein and are customizable to your baby’s preference. You can cook the scrambled eggs with cheese to add flavor and a bit of texture. If you’re teaching your baby to use their hands to eat, cook the eggs using a folding technique instead of whisking. If needed, slice the eggs into bite-size pieces before serving. This way, the shape of the eggs will be easier for them to pick up.

Since your baby is learning to self-feed, it is best to place their food in a baby-proof dish. Opting for baby bowls that have a suction prevents them from spilling their food. Additionally, choosing break-proof dinnerware is a safe option for their learning hands.

Grabease Silicone Suction Bowl is also patented and pediatrician tested. It is made of food grade silicone that is resistant to bacteria, odor, and stains. The strong suction adheres to most surfaces to make learning to self-feed easier for both parent and baby. It's also dishwasher safe!

Loulou Lollipop Born to be Wild Tableware Collection

Your toddlers have mastered the skills of using the learning utensils? They graduate to the big kids’ version designed for their growing hands. Then you must try Loulou Lollipop new collection, Born to be Wild is a line of fun and practical tableware designed for kids from ages 4 months to 5 years old.

The range of Born to be Wild collections are very wide. From Infant Feeding Spoon to Learning Fork and Spoon Set which allow toddlers to confidently grasp the spoon and fork to encourage self-feeding.. With thoughtful details, smart and ergonomic designs, the collection makes mealtime fun and easy with plates, bowls, cutlery, and more.

▼ From left to right: Divided Plate with Lid, Learning Fork & Spoon set, Snack Plate

▲ From left to right: Chopstick, Infant Feeding Spoon, Kid’s Fork and Spoon set

Born to be Wild collections will make snack time fun!

Born to be Wild collection are mainly made of 100% premium buttery smooth food-safe silicone, they are lightweight and easy to clean. Less mess, more snacking fun!

Available in seven adorable animal friends to entertain your little one! Those seven adorable animal are Alligator, Bunny, Elephant, Giraffe, Lion, Llama, and Rhino.

The collection is made with premium buttery soft and safe silicone and quality materials that meet the ASTM, CPSC, EN, AUS, and GB international safety standards. Free of BPA, Phthalates, and harmful substances.

Silicone feeding spoon are made of soft, smooth silicone that can easily be thrown into the dishwasher and are safe for kids to chew on as they learn to eat.

Learning Spoon and Fork are designed with chunky easy-grab handles to let kids learning self-feeding easily, it is recommended for kids that are older enough that no longer love chewing everything, because it is made from premium food-safe silicone and SS304 stainless steel.

The bowl and plate coming with steady suction, simply press the plate and bowl down and it will stick to most smooth surfaces to prevent slips and spills. They have an upcoming new products which is Divided Plate with Lid!

Divided Plate with Lid features a strong suction base, the tight-fitting lid with an adorable alligator handle makes it easy to store and heat meals. The plate includes three separate sections to encourage food group variety and appropriate portion sizes.

Why Born to be Wild?

• 100% premium food-grade silicone

• Free of BPA, PVC, phthalates, lead, and cadmium

• Size (cm): varies

• Recommended Age: 6 months +

• Dishwasher safe

• Microwave oven safe

By combining a timeless, feel-good aesthetic, memorable pops of color, and an uncompromising commitment to the safest, highest quality materials, LouLou LOLLIPOP is redefining baby goods.

And reminder from us do not leave a child unattended with the fork or spoon and discard if damaged.

4 Must know about self feeding

Self feeding is an important development for children. Teaching children to self feeding may not be an easy thing. But feeding your child continuously until he grows up is not good either. This will only hinder its development.

Self feeding in children comes in phases, making it a long drawn out, but extremely rewarding, journey for you and your child. Although your child needs to reach toddlerhood to have the physical ability to self feed, it helps to start early. Here are the 4 must know things before you start letting your baby self feeding.

Content:

| Self feeding advantages

| How to encourage self feeding

| Best self feeding age

| My favorite self feeding spoon

Self feeding advantages

Some parents choose to continue feeding their children because they don't want their children to be messy or dirty while eating alone. In fact, this is a learning process that children must go through. Baby led weaning (BLW) is a method that allows babies to self feeding. Mama only needs to prepare food that has been processed according to the baby's ability to eat, then the baby can use his hands to take and feed the food. Letting children eat alone also teaches him many things. Self feeding have many advantages.

Read more: Why letting your baby self-feeding is worth the mess

To prevent obesity

One of them is keeping children connected to their basic instincts (hunger) and listening to their own body cues (satiety). When a child is fed by another person, the child has the potential to eat more than they need, causing them to lose touch with their basic bodily instincts. In addition, it can also trigger stomach upset and can lead to eating problems later in life, such as obesity.

Helping children recognize the taste and texture of food

In applying the BLW method, food is served in a solid and larger form. This will allow your little one to recognize the texture because it is easy to grip. In addition, this method also introduces your little one to the various tastes, colors and aromas of the food he consumes.

Read more: Start feeding your kids solid food with this

Support children's motor development

Implementing the BLW method can support your little one's motor development, you know, Bun. This method can be a means for your little one to train eye and hand coordination, as well as chewing and grasping skills.

Read more: How to help my baby develop their pincer grasp?

Make children enjoy the food they eat

Teaching your little one this method allows him to enjoy the food he is eating without the need to be forced to open his mouth. In addition, your little one can also be introduced to many types of food.

How to encourage self feeding

Don't help put food in their mouth

You could say BLW is a method for making your little one independent when eating. You should really try to step back and believe that your baby can put food well in his mouth. Don't help put food in his mouth and you don't have to worry if you think he doesn't eat much. At this stage, food is a way for your little one to experiment and learn. As extra nutrition, your child will get what he needs from his milk, whether formula milk or breast milk.

Try offering a variety of foods

After your baby learns to use a spoon (holding objects between fingers and thumbs a.k.a. pincer grasp), you can introduce berries and raisins, or peas. Don't overwhelm your baby with too much food, having in front of him two or three items at a time is sufficient.

Read more: Baby's first solid food

Be patient

It is better if you don't rush when you want to let your children self feeding, because your child will choke on food if his age is not suitable, another reason is because he is not good at chewing food that is too solid. Wait until your baby is six months old and make sure he can sit up straight before starting self feeding. Be patient is the key.

Nothing comes easy with the baby. Every habit and every successful milestone is a result of someone’s effort. It could be you, your nanny, your spouse, the siblings or even strangers.

Read more: 3 Rules you must follow when giving first food to your children

Best self feeding age

Learning to self feeding can generally begin at the age of 9 months, when children are able to grasp their own food. At this age, parents is allowed to give them finger foods or foods that are easy to grasp. Children will become interested in holding their own spoon, fork, or water bottle in both hands when they are 13–15 months old.

In my daughter case, I let her start hold when she was 7 months. The food does not always fill the spoon and she not always succeeds in putting it in her mouth. Not a little food will also fall on the floor or table.

Around 18-24 months of age, they will begin to be adept at putting their own food into his mouth less messy. However, your little one must always be supervised when learning to eat on their own. Because they are still learning, sometimes children may choke, cough, or vomit. Later when your little one enters the age of 24–36 months, they will be more adept at eating and enjoying their own food without the need for help from adults.

My favorite self feeding spoon

You might be wondering if you can just get away with using a regular old steel spoon to feed your baby. After all, if it’s good enough for you to eat with, shouldn’t it be fine for a baby?

Some old-school parents will shrug and say that you can feed a toddler just fine without buying yet another special tool. But most feeding authorities recommend using a shallow, plastic children’s spoon for feeding, since it’s easier for them to eat from and won’t hurt their delicate mouths.

Read more: Baby essentials that is important for your children's development

Combined spoon and teether

Some spoons are made a little larger with a more chewy texture, for those teething kids who to bite down on as they eat. The teething element may encourage some kids to use the spoon.

Grabease stage 1 silicone spoon

The soft spoon is perfect for tiny mouths during the early stages of self-feeding, and the textured handle soothes little one's gums during teething. Kickstart BLW with Grabease stage 1 self-feeding silicone spoon.

Shaped ergonomic spoons

Little hands can be clumsy and a spoon is hard to hold. This style of spoon is usually chunkier and shaped to help toddlers get to grips with their fine motor skills.

Grabease stage 2 spoon and fork

Grabease patented fork and spoon sets were the first utensils designed with babies’ independence in mind, and they come highly recommended by Occupational Therapists. The ergonomic handle fits comfortably in babies' natural hand grasp, making the hand-to-mouth motion easier. This set will also help strengthen their fingers while encouraging proper pencil grasp development (this will come in handy later!).

BONUS! Yummy and healthy ice cream for your baby with Grabease

The Story of a Safer Baby Spoon: A Product's Origin Story

Editor's Note:

Please note that we no longer distribute the Grabease brand. We have kept this article live because we believe it tells a powerful and important origin story about product innovation in the baby space.

The principles discussed here, such as the revolutionary short handle and the choke-protection shield, are valuable design features that have changed the market. We see this article as a case study in how a simple, parent-driven idea can lead to a safer and more effective product for all children.

The history of Grabease

And please respect every brand’s effort and creativity.

From lawyer to product developer, Maya Shalev - founder of Grabease - loved problem-solving but didn't love the aggressiveness of litigation. She did mediation training at the Los Angeles Attorney's office before getting pregnant with her daughter, Alma.

As a stay at home mom for a few years, Maya was able to apply her problem-solving skills when she developed, with her dad, products that were missing in the market.  

In 2014, Maya found herself at a crossroads when her father passed away while she was three months pregnant. Finding herself in this new situation, Maya decided to take a break to cope with the loss of her father and focus her energy on the new life she was bringing into the world.

In 2015, Maya found herself with a new challenge when her six-month-old son, Amit, was learning how to self-feed. This obstacle reignited her passion for developing a product that would not only solve the need for her son but other moms going through similar scenarios.

Off the bat, she noticed that baby utensils aren't designed with babies in mind. The handles were too long and her son couldn't hold the utensil naturally. She decided to meltdown cheap forks to create a shorter, thicker handle. The first mold was created out of Playdough, a common medium in a house with kids.

The next phase was to create a set of utensils, the most expensive pair of fork and spoon she's ever invested in, a whopping $400 for a 3D printed set! Using her son as a guinea pig to test out the new utensils Maya noticed that the handle was on the thin side so she went back to the drawing board and designed a teardrop-shaped handle.

She took this prototype to a Pediatric Occupational Therapist for some feedback to make sure she was developing the right product. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The Occupational Therapist told Maya that the Grabease utensils "makes a great developmental product for children ages 4 months and up. Grabease supports fine motor skill development and independent feeding skills."

The inspiration to go back in business to not only create but give back was through the social initiative she saw the Toms brand spearhead. When Grabease was being packed and shipped Maya partnered with The Harvest Home, a non-profit organization that helps homeless pregnant women get back on their feet.

The Grabease design was immediately patented in 2016 and sent to production. A soft launch was introduced via Amazon to see if there was a need for the product. Maya designed the product with the intention that nine-month-old children and older would be using the product but to her surprise moms were excited to share photos and videos of their six-month-old babies self-feeding with the Grabease.

Grabease was tagged by tons of moms on social media, gushing with excitement that their kids were independently eating with the utensils.

The pivotal change for the brand was at the JPMA trade show. The last day of the show is open to consumers, the excitement and the crowd around the Grabease booth was proof that the brand was going to be high in demand. Shortly after, all products were sold out on Amazon as well. Before long, the Grabease website launched!

Not only was Grabease helping babies learn how to independently feed themselves, it was helpful for differently-abled children as well. Parents were sharing how Grabease utensils were helping their children with cerebral palsy or down syndrome. This was heartwarming and impactful for Maya.

Different organizations that helped children with different abilities were now reaching out to the brand for support. Without hesitation, Grabease donated products to help and promote the development of independent eaters. With the word spreading, Maya found herself getting emails and calls from Occupational Therapists that were interested in trying out the product in their clinics and then endorsing the product. Another win for Grabease!

In quarter 1 of 2017 Maya graduated from the kitchen to the garage. Soon after, Nordstroms and other independent retailed picked up the brand and Grabease moved into an office space in 2018.  

Grabease is now available in 300 stores and internationally, accessible in over 15 countries and expanding rapidly!

Maya didn't stop there. The Grabease toothbrush was the next product created. Thought of and designed by Maya's then 8-year-old daughter, Alma. The idea came to her when she saw the struggles her parents were having when trying to brush her little brothers' teeth, Amit. 

Alma sketched the design and 2 years later the design came to life. The toothbrush was a hit. So much so that most kids don’t want to put it down!

Read more: 2019 Grabease new product double sided toothbrush

Maya and the team of moms take pride in developing products that provide solutions for families around the world while helping children in need. Grabease is excited to continue launching innovative and helpful products for other parents because being a parent is a lot of work and we want to alleviate unnecessary stress so you can enjoy the best moments with your growing tot!

Article quoted from Grabease blog post.

How to Choose Baby's First Spoon: A Guide to Self-Feeding Utensils

Editor's Note:

This article was originally a comparison between two specific brands. To provide more timeless and valuable advice, it has been updated to be a general guide on the two primary types of starter utensils for babies. This will help you understand the features to look for as you choose the best tools for your little one.

When your baby enters the age of 6 months, it's an exciting time to introduce them to the world of solid foods. This is when a baby's first spoon and fork come into play. Unlike the utensils we use, a baby's first tools must be specially adjusted for their little mouths, ensuring they are safe, comfortable, and easy to use.

The market is full of options, but they generally fall into two distinct categories, each designed for a different phase of the self-feeding journey. Understanding the difference is key to preventing frustration and setting your baby up for success.

Type 1: The Starter "Chewtensil" for Early Exploration

This type of utensil is perfect for the very beginning of the solid food journey, often suitable for babies as young as 4-6 months. It acts as a bridge between a teether and a true utensil.

Key Features:

• Soft, Flexible Material: Usually made from 100% food-grade silicone, it's gentle on a baby's sensitive gums.

• Dual-Sided with Textures: The "spoon" end is often textured and designed more for dipping into purées than for actual scooping. The handle is also textured, making it double as an effective teether.

• Easy-to-Grip Handle: The handle is typically short and wide, making it easy for a baby's developing grasp.

Pros:

• Excellent for developing hand-to-mouth coordination.

• Doubles as a teether, providing soothing relief during mealtimes.

• Very safe for babies to explore independently.

Cons:

• Not effective for scooping thicker foods or piercing solids.

• Babies will outgrow its limited functionality as their skills improve.

Type 2: The Ergonomic Self-Feeding Utensil

This is the next step up, designed for when your baby (typically 6-9 months and older) is ready to start scooping and piercing food themselves.

Key Features:

• Firmer Material & Real Utensil Head: While the handle might be silicone, the head is a real (but baby-safe) spoon and fork, allowing for actual scooping of things like yogurt and piercing of soft fruits.

• Short, Ergonomic Handle: The defining feature is a short, fat handle that encourages a baby's natural vertical grasp, making the motion to their mouth more intuitive.

• Choke-Protection Shield: This is a critical safety feature. A wide "cloud" or flower-shaped guard below the utensil head prevents a baby from gagging themselves.

Pros:

• Promotes true self-feeding independence and fine motor skills.

• The choke shield provides invaluable peace of mind for parents.

• Effectively prepares a child for using standard toddler utensils.

Cons:

• The firmer material is not designed for teething.

• Requires slightly more coordination than a simple "chewtensil."

Summary: Which One Is Right for Your Baby?

It's not a question of which one is "better," but which one is right for your baby's current stage.

• Think of the "Chewtensil" as Stage 1: Perfect for the initial introduction to solids, for dipping, and for teething relief.

• Think of the Ergonomic Utensil as Stage 2: The ideal tool once your baby shows a real desire to scoop and feed themselves independently.

Many parents find it helpful to own both, starting with the soft chewtensil and "graduating" to the ergonomic self-feeder as their baby's confidence and skills grow.

A Parent's Guide to Choosing the Best Baby Spoons and Forks

Editor's Note:

This article was originally a "best of" list from 2021. To provide more timeless and valuable advice, it has been updated to be a comprehensive guide on the features to look for when choosing the perfect spoon and fork for your baby's developmental stage.

When your baby starts eating solid foods, their growth requires a new level of attention and equipment. The right bowls, plates, spoons, and forks are essential accessories to make mealtime successful. You will get a lot of use out of these tools, so it's wise to choose well. With so many baby spoons and forks on the market, it can be confusing to know which one is best. This guide will help you choose.

How to Pick the Perfect Baby Spoon and Fork: A 3-Point Checklist

1. Who Will Be Feeding the Baby?

The first question to ask is who will be holding the utensil. The answer determines the type of spoon you need.

• Parent-Feeding Spoons: These typically have a longer handle, designed for an adult's hand to comfortably reach the baby's mouth from a distance.

• Self-Feeding Spoons: When your child wants to eat independently, it's time to switch. These spoons have shorter, chunkier, ergonomic handles shaped for a baby's natural grasp. They are specifically designed to help develop fine motor skills.

2. What Is It Made Of?

This is the most important feature. A baby's gums are delicate, and they aren't coordinated enough to use metal utensils safely.

• The Best Choice: Silicone. 100% food-grade silicone is the ideal material. It's soft, hygienic, durable, and free from harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates.

• Other Good Options: Soft plastics and smooth, splinter-free wood are also safe alternatives.

• What to Avoid: Metal spoons are too hard and can hurt a baby's gums and developing teeth.

3. Is It the Right Size?

Baby utensils should be much smaller than yours. A spoon might look tiny to you, but it's probably the perfect size for your little one's small mouth. The spoon bowl should not be too deep, making it easy for your baby to get the food off.

Key Features to Look for in Modern Baby Utensils

Beyond the basics, today's most innovative utensils have special features designed for safety and success.

• The Choke-Protection Shield: This is a revolutionary safety feature. It's a wide barrier located on the handle that prevents your baby from pushing the spoon or fork too far into their mouth and gagging. It provides invaluable peace of mind for parents.

• The Silicone Spoon-Teether: Perfect for the earliest stages, these spoons are made entirely of soft, chewable silicone. They act as a "2-in-1," allowing a baby to get used to the motion of self-feeding while also soothing their sore gums.

• The Food-Gripping Starter Spoon: Before a baby masters scooping, they start by dipping. Some starter spoons are flat with textured surfaces designed to grip onto purées, allowing your baby to successfully get food to their mouth without needing to scoop perfectly.

• Hygienic and Travel-Friendly Designs: Look for sets that come with a clean carrying pouch. Some innovative designs even have a base that allows the spoon to stand up, keeping the tip off a dirty restaurant table.

A Final Word of Advice

Baby utensils are usable for years to come, so it's a good idea to invest in a nice set for home and perhaps some less expensive ones for the diaper bag, as it's easy to lose them when you're out. Having a few sets is always wise.

Ready to Start the Self-Feeding Adventure?

The right utensils can turn mealtime from a frustrating struggle into a fun, successful learning experience.