The best baby spoons, bowls, and suction plates to make weaning fun

The best baby spoons, bowls, and suction plates to make weaning fun

by Maria Martin |
Updated on

When it’s time to start weaning your baby, you will want to choose the best baby weaning products, such as baby spoons, bowls and plates available. Specifically designed baby tableware will make all the difference to your weaning journey. They will support your baby's development and prevent any mealtime mishaps.

The best baby spoons, bowls, and suction plates at a glance:

Weaning can be a stressful time for both parents and babies. So choosing the right products will make your life much easier. Having the right dinnerware for your little one can make feeding your baby a much more relaxed situation.

How we chose the best baby dinnerware

Firstly, when it comes to bowls and plates, it’s a good idea to choose non-slip bowls and plates with suction; this not only will help prevent them from ending up on the floor but also help your baby once they start baby-led weaning to keep their dinnerware in place. We tested how well the suction worked on a range of surfaces, including wooden tables, wipeable tablecloths and highchairs.

Usability was also something we tested, keeping in mind that both parents were feeding their babies, and the babies were feeding themselves. Particularly for baby-led weaning, you will want to choose spoons that are light and small as they will make it easier for the baby to grip them with their small fingers. Some of our picks also feature mouthguards to help babies learn how far to place the cutlery into their mouths.

While most weaning sets are normally BPA-free plastic or silicone, it's worth making sure they are made from safe materials. This is in case your little one decides they would rather chew on them than use them to eat. Also, keeping in mind materials, we considered washing, warming, and freezing capabilities in our testing process.

Below, we have selected the best spoons, bowls, and plates for babies and toddlers to make mealtimes easier for both of you. In fun colours and designs, these options are sure to keep your baby captivated during the weaning process.

The best baby tableware weaning sets

Best weaning set overall

pippeta weaning set side on©MOTHER&BABY

The Pippeta, My 1st Baby Weaning Set, is the perfect set to kick start your little feeding journey. Crafted from premium BPA-free, food-grade silicone, this silicone set ensures top-notch safety, giving you peace of mind at every meal. Busy parents loved this set's easy maintenance—it's dishwasher-friendly and a breeze to clean when hand-washed. We like the large selection of vibrant colours that are engaging for little eyes, although these are quite muted, and not extremely bright. Our mum tester, Melanie, said, "Having purchased numerous other products that haven’t lasted or washed as nice as these, I can definitely recommend."

Designed with little hands in mind, this set includes everything you need to get your weaning journey underway. Its stand-out item is the small cutlery set with choke guards that help your baby practice self-feeding safely. Melanie adds, "each item is great in design and practicality, from the cutlery to the bowl and plate. The cutlery is a perfect size and has helped my daughter to use cutlery during all mealtimes." This weaning set truly combines style, safety, and functionality for a delightful weaning experience.

Plus we love that the suction is reliable, with our mum tester, Melanie, adding, "it's one of the few suction plate/bowl designs that I've found has actually worked as well - the minute I put this down on my table, it sticks, not so hard that I can't pull it off but enough that I can feel it's working before I've even secured it." Although do be aware that it might not stick to all table cloths. However, this set is definitely practical and convenient because not only is it safe and well designed, it is also dishwasher and microwave proof too, and we think it is the best weaning set overall.

Pros

  • Multiple colour options
  • The plates have sections which are perfect for picky eaters
  • Crafted from BPA-free, food-grade silicone
  • Dishwasher and microwave safe

Cons

  • Suction is not effective on some tablecloths
  • Colours muted rather than bright
Material: BPA silicone
Dishwasher and microwave safe: Yes
  • Made from BPA free silicone
  • Suction base
  • Various colour options
  • Microwave and dishwasher safe

Best tableware kit with bib and storage

©MOTHER&BABY

Whether your baby is baby-led weaning, enjoying soft foods or a little bit of both, this set is another great option for families, with one reviewer saying, "great set for weaning. Has everything you need. Easy to clean too." We agree that it does contain everything your baby will need, plus it comes with a no-spill cup, bib, and storage pots. However, another reviewer did add, "good value for the price, my little boy didn’t get on with this sippy cup and I find the bib quite stiff, love the spoons so easy to feed your baby until they decide they want to use the spoon themselves."

Conveniently, it's also all dishwasher safe, meaning you'll have less washing up to do after messy mealtimes, which busy parents will know is important. We also like this set because it has storage pots, which are great for popping leftovers into the fridge or for taking out on day trips. Although it's only available in one colour option, we can't get enough of the neutral design and colouring.

While this does include everything you need some reviewers thought the spoons were too long with one commenting that they "recommend getting some shorter spoons as these ones can be a challenge for little hands." Overall though this is a great weaning set for getting started.

Pros

  • Dishwasher friendly
  • Full-wearing set, including bibs and storage pots
  • Neutral design with lovely colours

Cons

  • Some parents found that the bib was a little stiff
  • Spoons quite long for baby to feed themselves
Material: BPA free silicone
Dishwasher safe: Yes
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Full set for starting weaning
  • Lovely, neutral colours

Best bowl and spoon set

©MOTHER&BABY

This 10-piece set includes four bowls with lids and two soft-tip spoons to make your life easier on the go. It's 100 per cent spill-proof and 100 per cent leak-proof. One reviewer said, "the bowls are perfect. They are just the right size for the first portions of food, they come with lids which is very handy and one of the main reasons I chose them. Lids seem to be sitting on pretty well, no leakage. Perfect for storing in the fridge or taking when out."

We love that these can also be put it in the microwave and the dishwasher making them even more convenient. We think this is definitely a must-have! However, the spoons that come with them are quite hard, with one reviewer saying, "spoons are hard but bend so are good for scraping food off the chin without scratching my baby."

The bowls double as storage pots for serving and storing food or even for taking out with you for lunch on the go. Although these bowls may look small, they are deceivingly deep, meaning they can hold quite a bit of food. We found that you can easily fit a whole jar of 200g baby food in one bowl, which is great for not wasting fresh food (although it is important not to reheat baby food from a jar).

Pros

  • Large ten-piece set
  • Perfect for travelling
  • Great for storing fresh food and leftovers

Cons

  • The spoons are a bit too hard
Material: Plastic
Dishwasher and microwave proof: Yes
  • Great for serving and storing food
  • Microwave and dishwasher safe
  • Includes spoons

Best bamboo suction bowl

©MOTHER&BABY

Bronze Winner for Best Weaning Product at the 2019 Mother&Baby AwardsThis is a natural bamboo bowl made with food-grade silicone to protect your child from BPA, phthalates, and other toxins. Our mum tester, Zoe, said, "I would definitely recommend this to my friends. The bamboo material is lovely and smooth and looks much nicer quality than the standard plastic bowls that most competitors seem to be advertising."

We love the practical design of this set because the cool-touch bamboo deters burns to baby's delicate fingers if they reach out for it during feeding, and the removable suction bottom lets you transition bowls to regular use when your child outgrows them. Plus, the set comes in six cheery unisex colours to suit any child. It also includes a spoon which Zoe was impressed by commenting, "The spoon is a good shape for your little one’s mouth so it's easy for them to use for self-feeding."

The set is great because it is eco-friendly design and bamboo has antibacterial properties and we were impressed by the super strong suction base that keeps the bowl firmly in place. However, it is important to note that this is not dishwasher or microwave safe which could be disappointing to some parents. Despite this for functionality and style, as well as being friendly to the environment, we think it is a great option.

Read our full tried and tested review of the Bamboo Bamboo Baby Stay Put Suction Bowl and Spoon Set here

Pros

  • Naturally anti-bacterial
  • Strong suction
  • Good size spoon for little hands

Cons

  • Not suitable for the dishwasher or microwaves
Material: Bamboo
Dishwasher and microwave safe: No
  • Made from bamboo
  • Strong suction base
  • Includes spoon

Expert rating:
4.5
©MOTHER&BABY
Price: £24.99

Shortlisted Best Weaning Product at the 2019 Mother&Baby Awards

The TUM TUM Baby Weaning Bundle was developed and designed together with feeding and swallowing specialist Stacey Zimmels and Dr Gill Rapley. The Tum Tum Baby Weaning set is for both baby-led and traditional weaning and includes a suction plate, a lidded suction bowl and baby cutlery to grow with your baby. One of our mum testers said, "as we are doing a combination of baby-led weaning and spoon feeding, my little girl has grown in confidence in feeding herself with the cutlery provided in one of the sets, due to it's ergonomic shape making it easy to hold."

Parents love the bright blue colour and engaging designs, which make mealtimes fun, plus, the ergonomic cutlery and strong suction on the plates and bowls help little ones learn to feed themselves with less mess. One tester added, "the material is so good! Easy to clean but very durable, and the suction of the plates is perfect. My little one has never been able to pull it off but is easy for me to remove after use. Super easy to clean as well! Life is so much simpler, and less messy!"

We love that the durable materials withstand hot water, fridge, and microwave use to make life easier for busy parents. Also, the set includes a 3-way trainer cup and one tester said, "my baby loved the cup and was able to use the straw on the first attempt." However, parents did comment that they would like a better travel lid for the cup because it comes off easily if pulled or if the cup is squeezed.

Read our full tried and tested review of the TUM TUM Baby Weaning Set here.

Pros

  • Dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe
  • Made from food grade silicone
  • Three colour choices

Cons

  • The travel cup needs a more reliable, leak-proof lid
Material: Food grade silicone
Dishwasher and microwave safe: Yes
  • Strong suction
  • Includes 3-way trainer cup
  • Made from food grade silicone

Best weaning set for gifting

Elodie terracotta dinner set on table©Elodie

Available in a range of Scandi colours and two stylish prints, this three-piece dinner set from Elodie is a lovely set that will grow with your child. The bioplastic is dishwasher and microwave-safe and soft and tactile to hold yet firm. Your tot will feel quite grown up indeed with their very own dinnerware set! Our tester said, "I think this set is ideal for gifting; it's one that will last a child a long time, and the colours are neutral enough that they're unisex and would suit any kitchen as well."

Although this does have a suction function to avoid too much mess, one reviewer did say, "the suction on the plate especially wasn't the most secure I've used, but I feel like this is a good set for slightly older toddlers anyway who are (almost) past the throwing their plates stage and instead want a set that makes them feel like a grown-up at the table." Plus, we love the material, which is durable and can withstand a fall but also feels stylish and more grown up. On reviewer commented, "this material has a slight texture and is firm like a ceramic plate set while being stable enough that it won't smash if it does fall from the high chair."

The set also includes an open cup to encourage little ones to move away from sippy cups and one reviewer noted, "the cup especially was brilliant for my 8-month-old, who has started to show an interest in drinking from an open cup rather than a sippy cup; she thought this cup was absolutely brilliant!" This is a great, stylish set and is great for older babies.

Pros

  • Made from plant-based and biodegradable material
  • Material is durable but looks like ceramic
  • Dishwasher safe

Cons

  • The suction on the bowl isn't very strong
Material: PLA
Dishwasher and microwave safe: Yes
  • Lovely colours
  • Include plate, bowl and open cup
  • Suction function on bowl
  • Durable material

The best baby bowls and plates

Best suction bowls

©MOTHER&BABY
Price: £21.99
Alternative retailers
Walmart$11.21View offer

One of the hardest things about children's bowls and cutlery is finding the space to store them. This is why we love this stackable set of three vibrant bowls that can be easily stored. Plus we love the bowls are different sizes and one reviewer agreed, saying, "love these little bowls for my toddler! The three sizes mean there's always a perfect size for snacks, yogurt, etc, and easy to pop in the dishwasher to clean."

With a suction function, these bowls are great to stop toddlers flinging their food all over the place. One reviewer said, "great set of bowls that was one of the few that actually remained stuck with a toddler pulling on them!" While another added, "best bowls I've had since started I weaning my 6 month old. They're made of plastic so you don't get that soapy silicone taste that can sometimes transfer to food."

However, while these bowls are dishwasher safe it is good to be aware that some reviewers found they stained easily. That said, they are made from safe BPA plastic and can also be used in the microwave, so they are convenient for parents to use throughout the day for snacks and meals.

Pros

  • Stackable
  • Colourful design
  • Three different sizes to suit meals or snacks

Cons

  • Some reviewers found they stained easily
Material: BPA free plastic
Dishwasher and microwave safe: Yes
  • Stackable
  • Colourful
  • Dishwasher and microwave safe
  • Suction function

Best suction plate

Expert rating:
3.0
vital baby suction plate©MOTHER&BABY

**Gold Winner for Best Weaning Product at the 2021 Mother&**Baby Awards

The Vital Baby NOURISH weaning and feeding range is designed to make weaning and self-feeding easy, fun, and less messy for little ones. It is perfectly sized for small hands and mouths and we love that these products are made from safe, phthalate-free, latex-free, and BPA-free materials, ensuring peace of mind when feeding your little ones. Our mum tester, Lucy, said, "I found all the products useful, especially the plates with suction on the bottom to prevent more mess! The freezer pots were so handy as well with a push out bottom, very easy to transfer into freezer bags. The products are also BPA and latex-free so it's just one less thing to worry about as a new Mum."

One of the stand out features seems to be the super strong suction function, which is more reliable than other brands. Our mum tester, Emma, commented, "it has taken me a long time to find a bowl or plate that my son cannot remove from the high chair tray and this brand has got it spot on! This means that I can have my dinner with my son without watching out for the flying plate!"

This set includes bowls, storage pots and spoons and while some reviewers wished there were more storage pots with one mum tester saying that she would "make the food containers a set of 6" our testers were impressed by the spoons. Mum tester, Emma, commented, "The weaning spoons are interesting, I have never seen a flat spoon but it does actually make sense, Reggie can clear a flat spoon rather the ones that have a deeper section - again perfect!" Plus we love that the spoons can be attached to the bowls for easy meals on the go.

Read our full tried and tested review of the Vital Baby NOURISH weaning and feeding range here

Pros

  • Strong suction on bowls and plates
  • The flat shape of the spoons works well
  • Push out bottoms on freezer pots

Cons

  • Testers thought a set of six storage pots would be better

Best bamboo suction plate

©MOTHER&BABY
Price: £20.49

Shortlisted Best Toddler Food Range/Product at the 2021 Mother&Baby Award

Who doesn't love Peppa Pig? Make mealtime fun for your little ones with this adorable suction set featuring Peppa and friends! Mother&Baby writer, Hannah Carroll, says, "my son is obsessed with Peppa Pig, so, of course, this is the only plate he wants to use!" However, don't worry, if Peppa isn't your child's favourite there are plenty of other designs to choose from, including unicorns and bunnies.

The set includes a large, sturdy plate and bowl made from 100 per cent natural bamboo, hailed by parents for being antibacterial and toxin-free. However, this does make it hand wash only which isn't ideal for busy parents. However, that said, the powerful, food-grade silicone suction base ensures no more flips, spills, or messes. And Hannah adds, that despite being hand wash only, her "favourite thing about bamboo bamboo is how easy it is to clean. We once bought a Peppa Pig plate from the supermarket, and it got stained and ruined after just a few uses. But after months of using this plate, it still looks as good as it did on the first day."

This set also includes a cup and cutlery and Hannah says she "loves that this set comes with matching cutlery and a toddler-friendly cup." Overall our mum testers agreed this is a great set, with one mum tester, Lucy, says, "I would recommend this set to a friend or another mum because it looks very attractive, the suction on the bottom is extremely strong and the material of the product is very good. It is very easy to put into my child’s bag too so if I was going out for dinner I would be very likely to take this with me."

Read our full tried and tested review of the Bamboo Bamboo here

Pros

  • Adorable designs, including Peppa Pig
  • Great suction to avoid messy meal times
  • Durable and long lasting

Cons

  • Hand wash only
Material: Bamboo
Dishwasher and microwave safe: No
  • Peppa Pig design (plus others)
  • Made from bamboo
  • Includes cup and cutlery

Best plate with compartments

Expert rating:
3.5

Shortlisted for Best Weaning Product at the 2020 Mother&Baby Awards

The EasyMat Mini Portable Baby Suction Plate was designed to fit any highchair tray, coming with four corner suction cups, which hold the plate steady, as well as its own carrying case. The EasyMat mini is EasyTot's best-selling suction plate for your little one's first foods all the way to 24 months and our mum tester, says, "I love this product! My little boy is a messy eater and likes to throw everything off his highchair. We’ve tried lots of different suction plates and bowls but he’s managed to unstick all except the EasyMat MiniMax. We’ve used it for breakfast cereal, pasta dinners and loads more."

We also like the compartments which help to keep food separate for fussy eaters and our mum tester, Ellen, commented, "the compartments are all of a good size and depth. This helped my little one to get the food on the spoon herself." Plus, to make mealtimes even easier this plate is also microwave safe and one tester noted, "we use our EasyMat MiniMax all of the time, a big feature which was super handy for me is that I could put it in the microwave, oven and dishwasher meaning I didn't need to transfer food from one dish to another."

However, while this does have a lid to take it out and about, testers thought that the lid should have clips for added security. That said, one tester did say, "the lid can keep any mess in until I wash it at home."

Read our full tried and tested review of the EasyMat Mini Max Portable Baby Suction Plate here

Pros

  • It comes with a carry case
  • Microwave and dishwasher safe
  • It fits on most hard surfaces with suction

Cons

  • Testers said they would like clips on the lid
Material: Silicone
Dishwasher and microwave safe: Yes
  • Fits most highchairs
  • Great suction
  • Dishwasher and microwave safe
  • Travel bag included

Best for fun design

Qshare Silicone Divided Baby Plate with Suction
Price: £6.99

This plate has a unique design in bright colours to make mealtime more fun for your little one. Mum tester, Kathryn, said, "just what we needed. It's so lovely, and my 16-month-old absolutely loves it." Plus we love that it's made with 100 per cent food-grade silicone that is BPA, PVC, BPS, and Phthalate free.

It is dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe, with Kathryn commenting, "the suction cups work really well, and it cleans brilliantly. There's no staining from curry and bologna, and it looks as good now, two weeks after use, as it did when it arrived. It's easy to clean and can even be put in the dishwasher."

In terms of design, not only does this look great it is practical too, especially for dividing foods which Kathryn says is "great for getting him to try different things at his own pace. " While it does have suction cups there are mixed reviews about how well these work, with one mum reviewer commenting, "plate suction is weak, my eight month old granddaughter could remove this from high chair and throw it on floor." However, another reviewer said, "it is cute ! Well made ! Easy to wash and the suction is good enough."

Pros

  • Multiple fun design choices
  • Easy to clean
  • Safe for microwave, freezer and oven

Cons

  • Some reviewers thought the suction could be stronger
Material: BPA free silicone
Dishwasher and microwave safe: Yes
  • Fun design
  • Suction function
  • Easy to clean

Best baby spoons and cutlery

Best metal children's cutlery

Expert rating:
3.5

Bronze Winner for Best Weaning Product at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards

Mealtimes are about more than just eating, so Nana's Manners set out to design unique, innovative and stylish products that make precious time around the table easy and enjoyable. Their unique Stage 2 Fork & Spoon is a child's first introduction to using utensils to eat all by themselves whilst supporting their development. Our mum tester, Annique, said, "This makes my life easier as a mum, as my little one took to using the spoon pretty much instantly. Within less than a day, he took to using the spoon to feed himself his breakfast, yoghurt, and dinner. I was honestly shocked. I didn’t think he would take to feeding himself with cutlery so quickly." Plus these have been approved by experts and healthcare professionals.

We love how these have been designed to exclusively focus on building children's confidence and independence, which makes parents' lives easier too, as Annique says, "it now frees me up to feed my other little one, knowing that I have peace of mind that my eldest is now comfortable and able to feed himself without getting the food everywhere." While another mum tester, Dvora, commented, "The fork has rounded tips to make sure it’s safe for children and the spoon is a decent size to be able to hold ‘proper’ food (as opposed to purees). I’ve found with other children’s cutlery that the spoons can be too shallow to hold adequate food and items such as peas just roll straight off. My girls really thrived using this set."

However, our testers did comment that they would like to make some changes to the handles with Ruth noting that she wished the handles "if they could use recycled plastic or no plastic," while Annique added, "the length of the handles on the cutlery need to be a lot longer for this age range."

Read our full tried and tested review of the Nana's Manners Stage 2 Fork & Spoon here

Pros

  • Rounded tips on the fork for safety
  • Encourages independence
  • Approved by experts and healthcare professionals

Cons

  • Some parents feel the handles could be longer
Material: Stainless steel and silicone
Dishwasher safe: Yes
  • Encourages independence
  • Approved by experts and healthcare professionals
  • Good size spoon
  • Bright colours

Best for teaching independent eating

Expert rating:
3.5
Doddl Cutlery Set for Children
Price: £24.99

Silver Winner for Best Weaning Product at the 2019 Mother&Baby Awards

This cutlery set helps your child eat independently and encourages the development of the pincer grip, which is needed for learning to draw and write. Our mum tester Jodie said, "this lovely set allows my little boy to practise holding cutlery as well as learning how to feed himself. It means that I can use my time to do other things in the kitchen, knowing that he is safe and enjoying being a big boy. It gives both of us confidence, which is brilliant, and hopefully, it will mean that he can start to move on to other cutlery once he’s mastered using this collection." The short ergonomically designed handles make controlling cutlery easier and allow your child to develop skills to make the successful transition to adult cutlery.

Made from high-quality BPA-free materials, the set is dishwasher safe and long-lasting to support your child, which is important. As mum tester Sophie commented, "this cutlery is also dishwasher safe, which is always a winner in my house! We love that this set has longevity and can help both toddlers and older children. Mum Gemma said, "big brother, age 5, has also benefited from the set, using the knife to gain confidence cutting his own food as well as helping in the kitchen."

However, one mum tester, Roxanne, noted that "the only one thing that I could think to improve would be if there was some way to stop the cutlery from falling into the food when resting the cutlery on the side of a bowl. Due to the short handles they tend to just fall into the food and make a bit of a mess."

Read our full tried and tested review of the Doddl Cutlery Set here

Pros

  • BPA and phthalate-free
  • Dishwasher-safe
  • Encourages independence and develops cutting skills

Cons

  • Quite bulky and falls into food when rested on the side of the plate
Material: Stainless steel and plastic
Dishwasher safe: Yes
  • Encourages independence
  • Develops cutting skills
  • BPA free plastic

What to look for in your baby's tableware

There’s a lot of choice available when it comes to weaning sets and baby tableware so it’s important to find the best set for your child. This may mean a bit of trial and error, especially when it comes to finding cutlery they will happily use themselves and plates that they can’t pry loose from their highchair.

You'll want to choose spoons, bowls, and plates that are designed not to break when your baby throws them onto the floor (which undoubtedly WILL happen).

You should always choose baby products in the correct recommended age range and size. This is to make sure there is enough room for the right amount of food your little one needs.

Always check the manufacturer's recommendations on washing, storage and whether the product is microwave and freezing safe. This will help to make your baby's plates, bowls and cutlery last. You can also see whether they will suit their favourite meals and your lifestyle - for example, if you don't have a dishwasher, a plate that isn't dishwasher friendly might not be a deal-breaker, and if you like to batch cook and heat up your toddlers meals, you'll need something that is microwave friendly.

Maria Martin is the Digital Group Editor for Motherandbaby.com. She is a mum-of-two with a passion for helping women from all walks of life – from supporting breastfeeding mothers with expert advice to encouraging conversations about mental health. In her professional role, she has over 10 years' experience in the digital world, including editing articles, focussing on SEO, social media engagement, picture researching and video editing.

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Mother & Baby is dedicated to ensuring our information is always valuable and trustworthy, which is why we only use reputable resources such as the NHS, reviewed medical papers, or the advice of a credible doctor, GP, midwife, psychotherapist, gynaecologist or other medical professionals. Where possible, our articles are medically reviewed or contain expert advice. Our writers are all kept up to date on the latest safety advice for all the products we recommend and follow strict reporting guidelines to ensure our content comes from credible sources. Remember to always consult a medical professional if you have any worries. Our articles are not intended to replace professional advice from your GP or midwife.