Introducing your baby to the world of solid foods is an exciting milestone, but it can also be daunting. There is so much to consider: Is my baby ready? What about food allergies? What is the best food to introduce first? All of these things are very important and should be discussed with your child’s pediatrician. We have rounded up the best spoons for babies, whether you decide to start with purees or baby-led weaning.
Best Baby Spoons
The Munchkin Silicone Trainer Spoons and NumNum GOOtensils are innovative spoons designed for babies to begin feeding themselves; whereas Munchkin Soft-Tip Infant Spoons are designed for mom’s who prefer to feed their little one’s themselves.
Munchkin Silicone Trainer Spoon
When introducing solid foods for the first time, you may notice that babies are more interested in the spoon than the food. With the Munchkin Silicone Trainer Spoon, you won’t need to worry about babies accidentally gagging on the spoons themselves!
This innovative spoon has a unique choke guard that prevents the spoon from going too deep into a baby’s mouth. The choke guard serves another very important function as well. It acts as a spoon rest, so the tip of the spoon stays off floors and messy tables. Genius!
The spoon’s tip is made of soft silicone that is gentle on baby gums. This 2-pack spoon set is great for pre-loading first foods and handing them to babies to practice self-feeding.
The spoons are dishwasher safe and free of BPA.
Olababy 100% Silicone Soft-Tip Training Spoon
The Olababy 100% Silicone Soft-Tip Training Spoon is a go-to spoon for families who are just starting their babies on their solid food journey, especially for baby-led weaning.
The bright green training spoon feels like a toy and looks like a plant. It has a soft silicone tip to protect baby’s sensitive gums. The spoon’s flexibility and depth make scooping easy and ensure food, like yogurt, stays put. It is perfectly sized and ergonomically designed for a baby’s hands. The Olababy spoon also makes a great teething toy.
You can also stand the spoon upright, rather than flat on the table, for more hygienic placement.
This spoon is made of 100 percent food-grade silicone and free of latex, BPA, phthalates, and other toxins. It is dishwasher and freezer safe.
NumNum Pre-Spoon GOOtensils
The NumNum Pre-Spoon GOOtensils come highly recommended by pediatric feeding specialists and parents alike for their innovative flat design. This set includes two spoons: stage one and stage two and is a great option for babies who are spoon-fed and those who are BLW.
A stage one spoon can be introduced to babies around 6 months old as a teether. This gets them used to holding a utensil in their hands. It has a textured surface that massages baby’s gums and will hold the food with thin consistencies, such as purees.
Once babies have mastered bringing the spoon into their mouths, introduce the stage two GOOtensil, which has a channeled flat head designed to hold thicker first foods, such as oatmeal and greek yogurt.
Both training spoons have a flat head, which means there is no wrong way to eat off of them. The contoured handle and no-slip grip make it easy for babies to hold.
The GOOtensils are made of food-grade silicone and do not contain BPA, PVC, or phthalates. They are dishwasher safe.
Munchkin Soft-Tip Infant Spoons
The Munchkin Soft-Tip Infant Spoons is a favorite of moms who choose to spoon-feed their babies.
The spoon bowl is shallow, ensuring you pick up just the right amount of food for your beginner. The soft tips and rounded edges are gentle on baby’s gums. The spoon’s handles were designed with parents in mind. They are comfortable to hold and long enough to reach the bottom of baby food jars.
This set includes 12 brightly colored spoons. And if you are wondering why you need so many, be sure to read our FAQs section below of why having many spoons during mealtime is a plus!
The spoons are free of BPA and are safe for the top rack of the dishwasher.
GRABEASE First Self Feed Baby Utensils
The GRABEASE First Self Feed Baby Utensils also features a choke guard that can put worried moms at ease.
What makes the GRABEASE spoons and forks unique are the short, stocky handles that are easy for little ones to hold. Most babies hold utensils vertically when first starting out, and the GRABEASE set is perfectly designed for that.
This set is made of plastic, but not to worry, it is free of BPA, phthalates, and other toxins. The plastic itself is soft yet sturdy and safe for the dishwasher.
NUK First Essentials Rest Easy Spoons
The First Essentials by NUK Rest Easy Spoons are great for babies who get the OK to start their solid feeding journey prior to six months old.
These spoons can be used for babies as young as four months old who show signs of readiness for spoon-fed purees.
Each spoon has a built-in spoon rest on the back that keeps the utensil off your table and free of germs. The tip is soft and the spatula-shaped bowl makes it easy to wipe food off baby’s mouth. The long handle ensures you can every last scoop from the baby food jar.
The Rest Easy Spoons are free of BPA and dishwasher safe.
Boon SQUIRT Silicone Baby Food Dispensing Spoon
For busy families or those who like to dine out often, the Boon SQUIRT Silicone Baby Food Dispensing Spoon is great for convenience.
No more carrying around a jar of baby food or cleaning up the mess. Simply insert up to three ounces of stage 1 or stage 2 baby food purees into the large bulb attached to the spoon. With one squeeze, the food dispenses neatly into the spoon bowl. Now you can spoon-feed baby with one hand!
The spoon is made of soft, safe silicone that is free of BPA, PVC, and phthalates. It is dishwasher safe.
PandaEar Baby Silicone Soft Spoons
The PandaEar Baby Silicone Soft Spoons with its convenient case is great to throw in the diaper bag to use for meals on the go.
The spoons are soft and flexible, which feels great on baby’s gums. The long handles make spoon-feeding easy and comfortable.
The spoons are made of food-grade silicone and free of toxic materials, such as BPA, PVC, lead, and phthalates.
The spoons are dishwasher safe. One thing to note, however: these spoons do hold food stains after repeated use.
mushie Silicone Baby Feeding Spoons
The mushie Silicone Baby Feeding Spoons is another highly rated spoon that comes in beautiful, muted colors.
If you can’t handle another bright-colored baby item in your home, you will likely be a big fan of the mushie feeding line. Aesthetics aside, these soft silicone spoons are gentle on beginning eaters and perfectly sized for their hands.
The spoons are free of BPA and other harmful chemicals. They are easy to wash clean with soap and warm water.
BEABA First Stage Baby Feeding Spoon Set
The BEABA First Stage Baby Feeding Spoon Set is a well-rated first spoon to introduce to baby.
The spoon itself is made of ultra-soft silicone with no metal or rough edges. The long handle is the perfect length for spoon-feeding. The shallow spoon bowl also helps to reduce the risk of choking by making sure you don’t over-scoop.
Once babies are ready to try using spoons on their own, graduate to Beaba’s second stage spoon, which features the same soft silicone spoon with a shorter handle and bigger bowl, designed for small, clumsy hands.
Sperric Silicone Baby Spoons for Baby Led Weaning
The Sperric Silicone Baby Spoons is thoughtfully designed for beginning eaters who are starting their baby-led weaning journey.
The handles are uniquely contoured and easy for small hands to grasp. This encourages them to bring the spoon to their mouths as they are learning how to self-feed.
The soft silicone protects an infant’s gums and newly-sprouted teeth. This 2-piece spoon set is free of BPA and easy to clean with warm soapy water or in the dishwasher.
ChooMee Baby Learning Utensil Set
The ChooMee Baby Learning Utensil Set is another great option for families trying BLW. They are designed to build a baby’s confidence as he or she learns to self-feed.
These spoons have many helpful features. For one, they are very flexible and the neck of the spoon bends to pick up purees and other foods to fit the contours of any bowl. The channeled heads ensure that some food will stick to the spoon. Your baby will be rewarded for his or her hard work with every bite!
While the spoon heads are soft, the handles are firm and smooth to give little ones a secure grip. The four-pack comes in fun, bright colors.
These spoons are made without any plastics and free of harsh chemicals. They are 100 percent silicone and safe for the dishwasher and sterilizing in boiling water.
Monee Baby Spoons with Teethers
They don’t get much cuter than the Monee Baby Spoons with Teethers.
This adorable spoon comes with a teddy bear teether attached at one end, giving teething little ones some relief.
The spoon holds just the right amount of food and the handle is easy to grasp for beginning eaters. The platinum silicone material is free of BPA and phthalates. These spoons can be thrown in the dishwasher for added convenience.
Avanchy Bamboo Bowl Plate & Spoons Set
The Avanchy Bamboo Bowl Plate & Spoons Set is a great starting point for your BLW journey.
Moms especially rave about the spoons. They are designed for babies who are learning to feed themselves. The bamboo handles are shorter, making them easy to hold. The spoons have a larger deeper bowl that ensures some food will stick and make it to babies mouth. The silicone is gentle on gums and teeth.
The spoons themselves are beautiful. The bamboo is lightweight and long-lasting, and the silicone is free of plastics and other chemicals.
Spuni First Baby Spoon
The Spuni First Baby Spoon features a patented design that helps babies easily transition from liquids to thicker consistencies of food. And trust us – this is easier said than done for a baby who has been on an all-liquid diet for 6 months!
The tulip-shaped spoon head makes it easier for babies to latch and swallow food. The spoon bowl is rather shallow, making sure little ones get just the right amount of solids.
The spoons are made of medical-grade plastic that is free of BPA, phthalates, and PVC.
OXO Tot Silicone Spoon Set
The OXO Tot Silicone Spoon Set is easy to use for parents and babies alike.
Parents can use this utensil to comfortably spoon-feed purees. The curved, rounded handle is also sized perfectly for little ones who are interested in feeding themselves. The spoon head is also deeper than many beginner spoons, making scooping easier and building confidence in new eaters.
The spoon has an anti-roll design for a less messy eating experience (keyword: less). The OXO Silicone spoons are flexible, free of BPA, and safe for sensitive gums. They are also dishwasher and microwave safe.
Novos Baby Utensils Spoons Forks Set
The Novos Baby Utensils Spoons Forks Set takes flexibility to the next level. These utensils can bend 90 degrees without losing their shape.
This is particularly helpful for beginning eaters who are just learning how to use a fork and spoon. The utensils can be customized for left or right-handed users to better scoop up food, no matter the angle.
The training spoon contains a steel wire inside the handle, which is soft and easy to grip. If anything, baby will be amazed by all shapes these utensils can make!
The spoon is made without BPA and other toxins and is gentle on baby’s sensitive gums and teeth.
This set comes in a convenient travel case, which is easy to throw in the diaper bag or lunch box.
Best First Stage Baby Infant Spoons
The Best First Stage Baby Infant Spoons were created with the goal of encouraging newborns to self-feed safely in their early stages. The flexible soft-tip gives them the appropriate bite while still protecting their gums. Allow your child to perfect the technique with gum-friendly silicone feeding spoons designed specifically for small lips.
The ergonomic form of these silicone baby spoons allows them to be handled in baby’s hands. The handles are the ideal length, size, and diameter for comfortably holding and reaching the bottom of food jars, which is very important when introducing solid food to a baby’s diet. You may scoop purées, cereal, and other foods with these delicate baby spoons without worrying about scraping or hitting their gums.
The spoons are made for a baby’s first feeding spoon in a facility that designs these infant tableware products according to strict GMP criteria. Sperric designed this teething toy out of soft silicone since we know how much babies enjoy using soft tools as teething toys. The soft silicone baby spoon can be used as a teether and a toy for your child. These newborn spoons give your kid the independence he or she craves while also making trying new foods enjoyable. The feeding spoon is flexible and ideal for toddlers who are learning to feed themselves.
Bumkins Training Spoons
The Bumkins Training Spoons are perfect for the first stage of baby led weaning.
These spoons are two-sided and can be used in different ways as your babies learn to tolerate more and more foods. One side is flat with ridges and perfect for picking up purees. The other side has a deeper spoon for scooping. Bumkins first-stage spoons have an easy-to-grip handle that is easy for little ones to manage and soft silicone that feels great on swollen gums.
These spoons are made of silicone that is 100 percent food-safe, BPA-free, PVC-free, phthalate-free, lead-free, and more. What’s more, silicone is naturally resistant to bacteria, which makes it more hygienic. Bumkins spoons are easy to clean by throwing them in the dishwasher, hand washing, or boiling to sterilize.
Munchkin White Hot Safety Spoons
Starting your precious little ones on solid foods can result in a lot of anxiety. Munchkin takes away one of the fears with its White Hot Safety Spoons.
Every mom fears serving her child food that is too hot and burning his or her mouth. Remember, infants are much more sensitive to hot and cold than we are.
With the Munchkin patented white hot system, you don’t need to worry. The spoon’s tip will turn white when the baby’s food is too hot. Food is too warm for babies when it is 110 degrees Fahrenheit or 43.3 degrees Celcius and above.
The handles are long, designed for parents who are spoon-feeding to scoop up every last bit of baby food. The tapered spoon bowl and soft tips are easy for beginning eaters to tolerate.
The spoons are free of toxic chemicals, including BPA and phthalates. They are also a breeze to clean and dishwasher safe.
The Best Baby Spoons Compared
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Avanchy Bamboo Bowl Plate & Spoons Set | 3.9 | 9.4 | 62.99 |
| BEABA First Stage Baby Feeding Spoon Set | 8.8 | 9.6 | 22.95 |
| Spuni First Baby Spoon | 4.4 | 9.0 | 19.99 |
| Olababy 100% Silicone Soft-Tip Training Spoon | 9.7 | 9.6 | 14.95 |
| NumNum Pre-Spoon GOOtensils | 9.9 | 9.4 | 13.99 |
| Munchkin Silicone Trainer Spoon | 9.4 | 9.4 | 13.34 |
| Bumkins Training Spoons | 8.7 | 9.4 | 12.95 |
| ChooMee Baby Learning Utensil Set | 8.5 | 9.2 | 11.99 |
| GRABEASE First Self Feed Baby Utensils | 9.7 | 9.2 | 11.99 |
| OXO Tot Silicone Spoon Set | 8.4 | 9.6 | 9.99 |
| mushie Silicone Baby Feeding Spoons | 9.7 | 9.8 | 9.99 |
| Monee Baby Spoons with Teethers | 7.2 | 9.4 | 8.99 |
| Munchkin Soft-Tip Infant Spoons | 9.8 | 9.6 | 8.84 |
| Sperric Silicone Baby Spoons for Baby Led Weaning | 7.3 | 9.4 | 7.99 |
| PandaEar Baby Silicone Soft Spoons | 9.4 | 9.6 | 7.95 |
| Novos Baby Utensils Spoons Forks Set | 7.1 | 9.2 | 6.84 |
| Boon SQUIRT Silicone Baby Food Dispensing Spoon | 7.7 | 9.0 | 5.95 |
| Munchkin White Hot Safety Spoons | 9.4 | 9.6 | 4.69 |
| NUK First Essentials Rest Easy Spoons | 9.4 | 9.6 | 3.99 |
Spoons for Purees Vs. Spoons for Baby Led Weaning
Let’s talk about the two main methods of introducing solid foods to your baby: spoon-feeding purees and baby-led weaning. Deciding which method is best for you and your baby will help in your search for the best spoons.
Spoon Feeding Purees
This method of feeding is what you probably think about when starting a baby on solid foods. Parents spoon-feed pureed fruits, vegetables, and meats, whether jarred or homemade, to a baby. Some babies show developmental sides of readiness — interest in food sits unassisted, has good head control — as early as 4 months old, though according to the CDC, this occurs around 6 months old for most babies. Always speak to your pediatrician and get the green light before starting on purees.
Baby-led Weaning (BLW)
When choosing baby-led weaning, babies skip the purees and mashed up foods altogether and go straight to appropriately-sized finger foods and feeding themselves. This method of feeding is common in the U.K. and is gaining in popularity in the U.S. Babies should not start baby-led weaning until 6 months old at the earliest. It is called “baby-led” because the baby decides how much food to pick up and eat rather than the parent.
Remember, up until 1 year of age, breastmilk or formula should be baby’s main source of nutrients.
Baby-led Weaning VS Spoon-feeding?
Baby-led Weaning Pros
- Babies get to control how much they eat. Babies have an innate ability to know when they are full. Learning how to self-regulate hunger is an important skill to prevent overeating. Feeding themselves also gives babies control of how to manipulate food in their mouths and decide whether or not to swallow it.
- Babies are exposed to different textures. Research suggests that babies who are introduced to textures other than just purees may be prone to less picky eating.
- Babies are encouraged to eat what the rest of the family is eating. A key to baby-led weaning is offering baby the same meal that everyone else is eating. Of course, food should be prepared in sizes and in textures that are safe. For example, sweet potatoes should be cut in roughly the size of a pinky finger and steamed or roasted until soft. This saves you time in the kitchen, so you are not preparing a separate meal for baby!
- Babies can get messy, which is actually encouraged when he or she is learning to eat solid foods. Mashing yogurt in their hands or smearing food all over their tray is a wonderful sensory opportunity. Getting messy means they are exploring, which helps to teach them new skills.
Baby-led Weaning Cons
- There is a fear of choking. If you put food in front of young, teething babies, chances are they will put it in their mouths. However, giving certain foods before they have developed oral motor skills could lead to gagging, vomiting, and potentially choking, according to Cincinnati’s Children’s. This is why it is very important to prepare solid foods in sizes and textures babies can tolerate. Remember, gagging is not the same as choking. While scary, gagging is a protective mechanism to prevent choking and an important part of learning to eat.
- Babies can get messy. While this is a pro, it can be a big con for busy parents and caregivers who don’t have the time or energy to clean and spot-treat clothes after every meal.
Spoon Feeding Purees Pros
- Parents control what baby is eating. When spoon-feeding, parents can ensure babies are getting the nutrients they need in their diet.
- There is a smaller risk of choking. Because purees are easy to tolerate and swallow, choking is not as big of a concern.
- It gives babies and parents the opportunity for early food exploration. Each baby is different and some are ready to try solid foods prior to 6 months of age with a doctor’s recommendation. Purees give them an opportunity to explore new tastes and nutrients safely since baby-led weaning is not recommended until a baby reaches 6 months.
Spoon Feeding Purees Cons
- Making or buying purees can be time-consuming and expensive. If you make purees at home, you’ll find it can get tedious and time-consuming, especially when you want to add variety to your baby’s diet. On the flip side, buying jars of food can get pricey.
- Babies could be more prone to overeating. Because parents are doing the feeding, it does not allow babies a chance to self-regulate hunger.
- It could slow development if purees are offered for too long. As babies get more comfortable with eating, they should be offered new textures so they learn how to chew and swallow. But babies who are comfortable with purees can reject new foods, tastes, and textures.
Once your child shows that he or she is ready for solid foods, you may choose to spoon-feed, do baby-led weaning, or a combination of both. Our comprehensive list above has the best options for spoons no matter which route you choose.
FAQs – Baby Spoons
When should babies start using spoons?
You should introduce spoons to babies early in the solid feeding journey. We have an in-depth article on how to teach babies to use a spoon. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), most babies can start to use a spoon by themselves around 10 to 12 months old.
However, you should get them into the habit early. Model using a spoon while enjoying meals together. You can also hand babies pre-loaded spoons to allow them to explore and learn independently.
How many baby spoons do I need?
You should have at least two, maybe even three, spoons at mealtime. The reason is two-fold.
For one, babies will drop spoons on the ground, either for fun or by accident. Unless you want to wash spoons repeatedly during the meal, it’s best to have more than one.
The other big reason is that once you hand babies a spoon, they will hold onto it for dear life! They will love chewing it, playing with it, and so forth. The only way they will let go of a spoon is if you hand them another pre-loaded one. It’s called the spoon game!
When should babies start using stainless steel spoons?
Silicone spoons are great first spoons for babies because they are soft and easy on the gums. But many babies are ready to graduate to stainless steel utensils around 18 months old.
Final Word
Introducing your baby to solid foods is one of many joys and rewarding moments of parenting. Think about it – your baby is not born knowing how to eat. It is a skill that we as parents have the privilege of teaching them. How amazing is that!
Of course, it comes with its worries. However, try to approach mealtime as a fun, enjoyable experience. After all, your baby will take his or her cues from you. Whether you decide to begin with purees, start baby-led weaning, or a combination of both, be confident that you, with guidance from your pediatrician, know what is best for your child.
The 20 spoons on our list are great beginning tools that will make your feeding journey easier. It is important to keep in mind though that your baby is an individual with unique likes and dislikes. Just as babies prefer one bottle over another, you may find that they like one type of spoon over the other. So, before you go out and buy the entire set, test out different spoons to see which your baby likes best.
Another great tip: if you find that your baby is not keen on trying solid foods, try introducing a new spoon along with the food. Pediatric feeding specialists often recommend switching up flatware, especially to picky toddlers, to encourage them to eat. More than anything, they will want to play with this shiny, unfamiliar new “toy.” And yes, possibly try the food that comes along with it.
And finally, embrace the mess! We know that is easier said than done, but it is important to let babies play with their food. It’s all part of the exploration process.
Happy eating! You got this, mama!
