Credit:
Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
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Credit:
Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
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You might not expect a baby spoon that looks a little like a rolled-up lily leaf to be the most practical, but this set is a near-perfect choice. Read More
This adorable silicone utensil is perfectly named: It looks like a tiny typical spoon and is super simple to use. Read More
The naturally antimicrobial bamboo handle feels fantastic in your hand, and the silicone tip is flexible, soft, and the right size for a baby’s mouth. Read More
All in all, these spoons functioned well but felt over-engineered and a little gimmicky. Read More
This whimsical-looking silicone spoon set is meant to be your baby’s first foray into self-feeding. Read More
I was a baby spoon skeptic, but after talking to my dentist, I came to see the error of my ways. She told me that the stainless steel spoons I already had on hand could injure my baby’s delicate mouth. When babies eat, she explained, they are learning. They bob and gnaw and otherwise explore in ways that older kids and adults simply don’t. A quality baby spoon will account for this with suitable size and appropriate materials that protect your baby’s palate. In this way, baby spoons function a bit like car seats: They’re tools to keep babies safe so they can explore their world.
Baby spoons aren’t just about preventing harm; they also support your baby’s development in positive ways. Baby spoons, especially those babies can use themselves, promote hand-eye coordination, sensory play, and awareness of their body’s signals. All of the baby spoons we tested are safe and will support your child’s development, but our testing revealed some clear favorites.
If you’re only going to buy one set of baby utensils, make it the Olababy Feeding + Training Spoon Set (available at Amazon) , which includes one spoon for parents and one for babies. Both kinds of humans will love using these spoons, which look like little leaves and are magic at mealtimes thanks to their ergonomic handles and tapered tips that are gentle on gums and stellar at scooping snarfs.
If you’re looking for a spoon just for helping your baby learn to self feed, you’ll be thrilled with the EZPZ Tiny Spoon (available at Amazon). At first glance, this self-feeding spoon looks like a shrunk-down grown-up spoon. Still, closer examination reveals details like a stout handle and super bendy silicone material that make it perfectly suited for your sweetie pie.
If a parent-feeding spoon is your focus, get yourself the Avanchy Bamboo & Silicone Infant Spoon (available at Amazon). It curves in all the right ways and makes feeding your baby a breeze.
The Olababy Feeding and Training Set comes with a spoon for parents and one for baby.
Make self-feeding more successful with the EzPz tiny spoon.
Avanchy's bamboo handle and soft silicone tip make it comfortable for parents to hold and babies to use.
Hi! I’m Emily P.G. Erickson. I’m a freelance writer and hold a master’s degree in psychology. Before becoming a writer, I worked as a mental health researcher. Now I love applying my research chops to parenting-related challenges including "What are the best booster seats for dining?” and “What are the best nursing bras?” I live in Saint Paul, Minnesota with my husband and three sons, the youngest of whom teamed up with me for this review.
After researching the market to discover which baby spoons parents loved best, I put the top eight to the test with the assistance of my 8-month-old. I evaluated each spoon on twelve criteria over at least that many different feedings. The requirements included spoon depth, ease of washing, and durability. The test feedings featured typical early foods, like purees, oatmeal, and mashed solids. In addition to evaluating each spoon on its own merit, I also compared the spoons to each other, such as by alternating mouthfuls to get a feel for how the spoons felt and functioned differently. My husband also tagged in for some test feedings and provided his candid feedback.
There are two types of baby spoons: Spoons designed for parents to hold and those intended for babies to hold. The first kind is sometimes called feeding spoons, parent-feeding spoons, or puree spoons. The second type is associated with baby-led weaning, and you’ll find them referred to as training spoons, self-feeding spoons, child-feeding spoons, and starter spoons.
Good parent-feeding spoons will have a long handle with a slight curve that makes them practical for adults. Good self-feeding spoons will have a short, stout handle that’s simple for babies to hold. If a baby uses a parent-feeding spoon, the long handle becomes a liability and could cause discomfort and gagging. If a parent uses a self-feeding spoon, the short handle that was so perfect in a baby’s tiny hands becomes profoundly awkward.
While some families philosophically prefer to use only one or the other spoon style, other families find both spoon types have a place at their table. If you are preparing for your first child, you do not need to decide which way you lean in advance (unless you want to!). Contemplating which philosophies resonate can be helpful, but remember that your child will also influence your choice, either due to their disposition or developmental needs. For example, my youngest son had some trouble gaining weight, so we fed him baby oatmeal starting at around five months, something we skipped entirely with our older two kids. When putting together a registry for your first baby, I recommend getting both feeding and training spoons to be prepared for whatever life brings you.
Baby spoon materials matter—and not just for aesthetics. As with anything you put in your baby’s mouth, you want to ensure it’s safe and non-toxic. But this goes double for baby spoons, which will encounter a lot of wear and tear and teeny tiny teeth. Look for packaging that proclaims food-grade silicone and BPA-free plastic. Pay particular attention to the spoon’s tip—it should be plenty pliable to protect your baby’s delicate palate.
You can begin using a feeding spoon to feed your baby purees or oatmeal as soon as you’re ready to introduce solids. Babies are ready for self-feeding a little later. The usual advice is that babies are ready for self-feeding when they can sit independently, which happens around six months. That means babies can begin to use training spoons to feed themselves between six and twelve months. Your baby’s healthcare provider can help you parse out the best timeline for your particular child. Whatever week you begin, the transition to table food can sneak up on you, so it’s smart to include baby spoons on your registry. That way, you’re all set when the time comes.
Soothes sore gums
Dishwasher safe
Easy for baby to hold
Doesn’t wipe well
Gimmicky
Great for teething
Ventilated choke barrier
Dishwasher safe
Difficult to clean
Not intuitive for self-feeding
Dishwasher safe
Flexible tip
Attractive
Awkward feeding angles
Hard to wipe food from cheeks
Attractive colors
Dishwasher safe
Soft tip
Doesn’t wipe well
Not ergonomic
Emily P.G. Erickson is a Minnesota-based freelance writer specializing in mental health and parenting. She’s written for Everyday Health, Health, The New York Times, Motherly, Parents, Romper, Scary Mommy, Verywell Family, Verywell Mind, WIRED, and more.
She’s also a professional member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) and the Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ).
Previously, Emily researched post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology.
When she writes product reviews, Emily loves to draw on her research background and her experience as a mom of three boys (aka her trio of tiny testers).
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