Little kids are very delicate. As parents, the best method to guarantee your children grow up healthy is to feed them properly. Early development of healthy eating practices will benefit them.
Your kids should enjoy mealtimes to encourage them to eat and have their sustenance. You can achieve this by making your kids feel included by giving them their own feeding set, and what better way to do that than by starting with baby spoons?
In this article, we’ll learn that there are different types of baby spoons and some considerations when buying for your kids.
Do My Kids Need a Baby Spoon?
When you start feeding your kids solid foods, you use regular spoons because you will assist them in eating since their motor skills are not yet developed to use utensils. Moreover, your kids will use their hands to eat early in their transition to solid foods.
Although a training spoon is not necessary immediately, having one with you is always handy. At some point, you need to teach your kids how to use a spoon so they can start to self-feed.
What Is the Best Age to Use a Baby Feeding Spoon?
According to experts, you can introduce your little one to baby spoons as early as six months. But don’t expect them to master the spoon at once. The early stages will be messy; most of the time, they will use their hands to eat.
However, don’t get discouraged. Your kids will get accustomed to using the spoon. Between 10 to 12 months, you can already observe your kids eating with a spoon but remember some kids will take longer to learn. So be patient with them.
Which Type of Baby Spoon is Best for a Baby?
Who would have thought there would be so many options for baby spoons? Let’s learn about each one to see which one is best for your infant before you buy any.
Silicone Spoons
If you want to introduce utensils to your kids, a silicone infant spoon is the best. This material is flexible and soft, so it’s safe for your kid’s sensitive gums. They can freely chew on them and act as a teether. Silicone spoons are also the cheapest option if you’re on a budget.
These spoons are food-grade silicone and BPA-free. They are available in vibrant colors so your kids will enjoy using them.
Soft-Tip Baby Spoons
Soft-tip spoons are more for your kid’s oral cavities than for eating. When they start growing teeth, their gums will start to hurt. Regular spoons may poke and hurt your kids, discouraging them from eating.
You can use a soft silicone tip spoon to rub your kid’s gums to soothe the ache. The tips are flat so that you can’t scoop as much food as normal, but you can use them for purees and smoothies to help you introduce new flavors to your kids.
Organic Baby Feeding Spoons
Some parents are sensitive about the materials in their baby’s stuff and want them to be completely organic for safety. Organic baby spoons are usually made from bamboo or other soft wood material. These spoons are more suited when your kids know how to handle their utensils.
They also come in bigger sizes than average infant spoons. So you may want to keep an eye on your kids when using them. They may scoop too much food, which can be a choking hazard.
Self-Feeding Baby Spoons
Self-feeding infant spoons are almost similar to silicone spoons, but these are more firm instead of flexible. You can introduce these spoons when your kids start led weaning. These spoons are ergonomically designed specifically for children. These baby spoons are easy to grip and have semi-flat heads to kids can easily scoop in their baby food.
Since these spoons are BPA, phthalates, and lead-free, there will not be any contamination in kids’ food.
Choosing the Best Baby Spoons
Although there are many choices, there is a right spoon for your kids. Here are important tips before buying your kids their first infant spoon.
Feeding Method
There are baby spoons designed so parents can easily feed their kids, and there are baby spoons designed for kids to feed themselves. Think about which category your kids fall in.
Younger babies need more guidance, so get a spoon to help feed them. As they grow and learn to be more independent, you can experiment with different spoons that are more suitable for them.
Sizing
A baby spoon set is usually small enough to accommodate their little mouths. Pediatricians recommend that a spoon tip should only contain food about the size of a pinch of salt to avoid choking hazards.
Furthermore, the handle size also matters. Since kids don’t yet have the strength to grip properly, get them spoons with a big ergonomic handle so it’s easier to hold.
Material Type
You can find different baby spoon materials, from hard plastics to silicone, stainless steel, and wood. As your kids learn to use utensils, you can switch from different spoons as they grow older.
During the first months, flexible and soft material spoons are better. Then, as they learn how to grip and eat alone, firmer spoons like stainless steel or wooden baby spoons are better.
You can also consider spoon material that can double as a teething toy. When buying a spoon, ensure it’s toxic-free so it won’t hinder the growth and development of your baby.
Tips on Teaching Kids How to Use a Spoon
Babies start using their hands at the start of their self-feeding stage. So don’t worry, it’s a normal thing. But you can teach your kids early, and here are some tips to help you.
- Observe your kids. If they use their hands to bring food to their mouth, it’s a good sign to start with a training spoon. You can observe this action as early as six months, but some babies come later when they are 12 months or older.
- Put food on kids’ spoons and set it on a plate. Let them be the ones to put the spoon in their mouth so they can practice the action and they get used to the sensation.
- Encourage and praise your kids every time they succeed in putting a spoon in their mouths. Don’t show signs of frustration when they make a mess to avoid discouraging them.
- Eat as a family. You are your kid’s role model, so if they see you eating using a spoon and fork, they are most likely to mimic your actions.
- Never leave your kids unattended. Many things could go wrong if they are left on their own. Always guide them so they learn to develop good habits early on.
Final Thoughts
Teaching your kids how to eat and spending time with them during mealtimes is one of the enjoyable parts of raising a child. However, it is your duty as parents to ensure that the activity is both fun and secure. We hope this informative blog post helps you purchase the best baby spoons for your kids.
Additionally, if you’re looking for more feeding essentials, Ashtonbee has a collection of feeding tools from spoons, feeders, baby bowls, and sippy cups. For your youngsters, we also have a selection of necessary infant supplies. Visit our store today and browse our merchandise!
