Shopping for something as simple as baby spoons and toddler spoons seems like it should be easy, but there are SO many options! To help, I’ve narrowed down my favorites—these are the only ones you’ll need to buy until the little ones start using the real silverware!
Baby Spoons
A perfect baby spoon is one that’s comfortable on the gums, easy to use (whether feeding a baby purees or letting them feed themselves), is durable, and is easy to wash. There are so many options on the market that it can be hard to buy too many or waste your money on ones that one last. This will help!
These baby spoons have longer handles, which make them the best spoon for feeding purees in my mind, and they are super soft on gums. The small size of the spoon head also makes them appropriate for feeding babies new to the feeding game. You won’t need to use these for years, but they’ll hold up nicely for the months that you need them—and will last through multiple children if needed.
BUY: Munchkin Gentle Spoon, $4.90 for a set of 2
Best Stainless Steel Baby Spoon: Kiddobloom
When babies are just starting to eat, they may not love the hard texture of stainless steel, so give them a chance to get used to it. This type of spoon is incredibly durable, easy to clean, and is made without plastic. The smaller size of this baby spoon from Kiddie Bloom is perfect for a baby’s mouth and the spoon actually holds some food too. It’s a nice size for both feeding purees and letting baby feed herself and will last forever.
BUY: Kiddobloom Baby Stainless Steel Utensil Set, $15.99 for two spoons, two forks, and a butter spreader
These squat little silicone baby utensils are ideal for a baby to self-feed. They are easy for little hands to hold, the spoon holds thicker purees very nicely, and they are super durable. And the little lip ensures that the spoon doesn’t go too far back into baby’s mouth. We use these regularly with our third baby and I so wish I’d known about them with my other two kids!
If you only want to buy one baby spoon that will last you through the stages of purees, self- feeding, and finger foods, I’d go with the Chewtensils. They’re so versatile!
BUY: Bumkins Chewtensils, $14.93, for a spoon and fork set
Toddler Spoons
Once your baby turns one and enters toddlerhood, they may soon be ready for a larger spoon that they can start learning to use. Note: It will take a child a lot of time to learn to use a spoon properly, so let them practice, know that it’s normal for them to default to using their hands (it’s much faster to eat that way!) and that it can take until they’re 3 to use a spoon even semi-proficiently. These toddler spoons will set them up for success.
Best Stainless Steel Toddler Spoon: Kiddobloom Spoon and Fork Set
Too many toddler spoons are super flat and don’t hold any food at all. This one from just the right amount of food for a toddler, so it’s a good one to learn on and continue using for years. The fork that comes with it works really well too!
BUY: Kiddobloom Toddler Utensils Set,$16.95 for two forks, two spoons, and one kid-safe knife
These spoons from Replay Recycled, which are made from BPA-free plastic from recycled milk jugs, are affordable, durable, and easy to use. They’re spoon holds an appropriate amount of food and they work for kids aged 1 through at least 7 or 8.
BUY: Replay Recycled Spoons, $7.99 for a set of 8
Best Toddler Fork: Bumkins Stainless and Silicone Fork
So many plastic toddler spoons are totally useless for picking up food so I’d skip them all together and go for a stainless one. We like this one, which comes in a set with the spoon I mentioned above, since they are durable, cute, and easy to clean. The silicone grip makes it easy to hold too. (If you want all stainless, go with the Kiddobloom set for toddlers.)
BUY: Bumkins Spoon and Fork Set, $12.95
