What to consider when choosing a baby plate and bowl
The material it’s made from – you’ll need bowls and plates that won’t break when they are inevitably thrown on the floor. Look for BPA-free plastic, silicone and bamboo which are all good non-breakable materials.
How do you plan to wean – BLW, purées or a mixture? If you’re baby-led weaning, then mats can often work better than plates for finger food. In the first year babies get most of their calories from milk, so don’t worry about buying bowls and plates with huge capacity.
How your baby behaves – some will pick up and chuck anything that is put in front of them, so suction bowls will help stop that happening. Alternatively, look for ones with a non-slip base, which will stop them sliding all over the table or highchair tray.
How well it washes - If you want a product that will wash easily, look for one that can be put in the dishwasher. You may not be able to do this with some bamboo products.
What other features you need – if you’re out and about, then look for mats that can fold or bowls with lids so you can take food with you (and home again if it doesn’t get eaten). If your baby likes to use a spoon themselves, then bowls with slightly angled edges can make scooping easier for them. If you plan to use a microwave to reheat food, make sure the bowls and plates are microwave safe.
Related: If you're still breast- or bottle feeding, see our guides to the best nursing chair and top bottle warmers to make feeds as easy as possible
Are bamboo bowls safe for babies?
Bamboo is a great alternative to disposable plastic plates and cutlery. Bamboo is also naturally antibacterial, so germs and bacteria won’t get anywhere near your child at mealtimes. It’s also the fastest growing plant in the world, so it’s renewable and completely biodegradable.
Some cheaper bamboo products are made from fibres that are then glued together with melamine. Watch out for these as, while the FDA says it’s safe, they caution not using melamine in the microwave or with food hotter than 160 degrees. Also avoid serving highly acidic foods as it increases the chance of the material migrating or transferring into baby food.
Are silicone baby plates safe?
Silicone is durable, safe, and more ocean-friendly than plastic. It doesn’t contain any petroleum-based plastics or toxic chemicals like those found in plastics. It also stands up better against heat and cold.
Are suction bowls good for weaning?
A suction bowl can be really useful in the early stages of weaning, especially if your child likes to throw their food on the floor. Unfortunately, they are not completely child-proof and most won’t withstand a determined baby or toddler pulling at them, but they can help avoid any accidental spillages and help children get used to eating out of a bowl.
Related: Up your sustainability efforts with the best reusable nappies, according to parents
When should babies start using plates?
There is no set time for this as it will depend on how you feed your baby, what foods they eat and what your child is like at mealtimes. Some children will eat nicely off a plate, others will throw the plate and all its contents on the floor - in which case, it’s probably best to just put it straight onto the highchair tray. As your child gets older, you can introduce plates - maybe starting with a suction base - to get them used to it.
What are the best baby bowls and plates?
The best baby plate is the EasyMat Mini Portable Baby Suction Plate with Lid. The strong suction cups make it ideal for weaning and we love that it also comes with a lid, sections for portioning out food and a cute happy face design that kids will love.
According to parents, the best baby bowl is the IKEA KALAS Bowl. Affordable, long-lasting and BPA-free, it's a safe and budget-friendly option for all families.
How we chose our recommendations
Recommendations from parents
We always want to make sure we find products that can withstand family life so we start by looking for recommendations from our trusted Mumsnet users. With over 7 million users each month, we know we’re getting products that have been thoroughly put to the test in everyday situations by parents and that the products will meet a variety of budgets and needs.
Expert guidance
When whittling down our list of recommendations, our trusted and experienced parenting journalists spend hours researching each product category, using a variety of sources to evaluate which products are the best.
We consult expert review sites, such as Which?, to check that the products come highly recommended.
Consumer feedback
Knowing that the real experts are you, the consumer, we make sure to check online reviews on retailers such as Boots, Argos, John Lewis, and Amazon, to make sure the products are up to scratch. We use both negative and positive feedback to help us consider the quality, safety, value for money and any extra features to ensure they perform well across the board.
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Here are the best baby bowls and plates for weaning and beyond.
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About the author
Anna Cook has been a national magazine and newspaper journalist for 15 years, and appears regularly on TV and radio talking about parenting issues. She has two children.