Feeding a newborn baby is a crucial aspect of their overall health and development, and the decision to breastfeed or use formula can be a complex one. However, when your little one is around 4 to 6 months old, it is time to introduce solid foods, and this is where things can get a bit tricky. You will need the right tools to make feeding time easier and enjoyable for both you and your baby, and that includes selecting the best baby spoons.
At the start, you can opt to spoon-feed your baby purees for the most part. However, as they grow and develop, they will want to explore feeding themselves. This is where training utensils come in handy, allowing your baby to develop their motor skills while learning to feed themselves.
We will explore some of the best baby spoons currently available and provide an overview of their features and benefits to help you make an informed decision when selecting a spoon for your little one.
Our Top Picks
- Best Silicone Baby Spoon: BEABA Baby’s First Foods Spoon Set
- Best Budget Baby Spoon: Munchkin 12 Piece Soft-Tip Infant Spoons
- Best Eco-Friendly Baby Spoon: Avanchy First Stage Baby Spoons
- Best Baby Spoon For Baby Led Weaning: Olababy Soft-Tip Training Spoon
- Best Bamboo Baby Spoon: Avanchy Bamboo Infant Spoons
- Best Baby Spoon For Self-Feeding: NumNum Pre-Spoon GOOtensils
- Best Baby Spoon For Travel: OXO Tot On-the-Go Feeding Spoon
- Best Heat Sensing Baby Spoon: Munchkin White Hot Infant Safety Spoons
- Best Baby Spoon & Fork Combo: Ryan & Rose Cutie Tensils Baby Spoon and Fork
- Best Wide Grip Baby Spoon: ezpz Tiny Spoon
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Baby Spoons Picks
BEABA Baby’s First Foods Spoon Set – Best Silicone Baby Spoon
- Easy to wash
- Hold a large amount of food
- Modern colors
- Fun to teeth on
- Can easily stain
These spoons are made of incredibly soft silicone to protect your baby’s gums and teeth and have no metal or sharp edges that could scratch their tender gums while they are teething.
Additionally, the ergonomic design of the handle makes feeding your infant a breeze from any angle. Plus, the handle length is perfect for quickly scraping the jar bottom and the shape helps prevent your baby from scooping too much food at once, reducing the risk of choking.
Munchkin 12 Piece Soft-Tip Infant Spoons – Best Budget Baby Spoon
- Easy to hold for an adult feeding a baby, as far as you put them down only on a flat surface
- Dishwasher safe
- Colors do not fade from washing or contact with food
- A soft plastic tip helps to make sure that the baby’s upper lip holds onto some food
- Scratch easily because plastic is so soft
The Soft Tip Baby Spoons by Munchkin are specially designed for your child’s first feeding experience. These spoons feature a shallow bowl that makes it easy for your little one to eat, with soft tips and rounded shapes that are gentle on their gums. Furthermore, the ergonomic handle is designed to fit comfortably in your hand and is the perfect length to reach the bottom of baby food jars.
Avanchy First Stage Baby Spoons – Best Eco-Friendly Baby Spoon
- They are durable and easy to hold
- The handles are great for teething
- Easy for babies to feed by themselves
- The metal is great and the ends are pointy enough to actually stab food but not your child
- Pricey for 2 spoons
The polished stainless steel used in these spoons provides exceptional durability, preventing the spoon from bending or breaking during use. Compared to other metal spoons, this stainless steel is thicker and reinforced, making it ideal if you prefer to wean your babies with solid foods.
The spoon’s silicone handle adds an extra level of safety, reducing the risk of injury if your child feeds themselves. Plus, these spoons are designed to be the perfect size for a baby’s hand, making baby-led weaning a breeze. Additionally, the use of 18/8 stainless steel for the spoon ensures it will last for a long time, eliminating the need for frequent replacements.
Olababy Soft-Tip Training Spoon – Best Baby Spoon For Baby Led Weaning
- The thin design of the spoon tip allows you to scrape the bowl/plate clean
- These don’t stain or turn color from baby’s food
- Super soft and flexible
- Perfect size for even the newest beginners
- A bit pricey
The Olababy Training Spoon is an innovative self-feeding spoon that is designed specifically for babies. Made entirely of silicone, the spoon is inspired by natural plant features, with a tip shaped like a leaf and a form resembling a sprout.
The flexibility of the spoon comes from the elasticity of the silicone material and the leaf-like shape of the tip, allowing babies to easily scoop, chop, and slice food. Additionally, the stem of the spoon is decorated to mimic the natural curves of plant stems, improving grip for little hands.
Avanchy Bamboo Infant Spoons – Best Bamboo Baby Spoon
- The handle is comfortable
- Perfect for children learning to feed themselves
- The silicone tip is soft
- Fun colors
- Might be too big for some babies
This baby feeding spoon is specially designed for infants who are 4 months old or younger. It features a small silicone spoon head and an extended bamboo handle for easy use, ensuring a safer mealtime. The spoon’s size and curvature make it comfortable for feeding little ones who lack the dexterity to handle a regular spoon. It is gentle on sensitive gums, ensuring a discreet eating experience.
Additionally, the natural bamboo material is strong yet lightweight, making it perfect for a long-lasting baby spoon. The spoon’s length and curvature make feeding comfortable while reducing wrist strain. Plus, it is produced without any plastic, BPA, or PVC, making it safe for your baby’s use.
NumNum Pre-Spoon GOOtensils – Best Baby Spoon For Self-Feeding
- Easy to clean
- Super short
- Different textures
- Easy for the child to hold
- Only suitable for a few months until 8 months
GOOtensils offer a dual-stage set to aid in the process of introducing self-feeding to infants. The Stage 1 spoon has a textured rubber-like substance on its end, which is gentle on sore gums from teething. And the curved grip of the spoon is coated with a non-slip material to prevent it from slipping out of the baby’s hand.
On the other hand, the Stage 2 spoon is intended for larger meals. These spoons are dishwasher safe, and you will appreciate that they are free of PVC, BPA, and phthalates. And they are suitable for babies aged 6 months and above.
OXO Tot On-the-Go Feeding Spoon – Best Baby Spoon For Travel
- Comes with a travel case
- This spoon is square instead of round which makes it easier to feed
- Comfortable to hold while feeding
- Can be washed in the dishwasher
- Stains easily from food
The OXO Tot travel spoon is an ultra-compact and convenient option to pack in a diaper bag, making it ideal for parents on the go. The handle features a curved design that allows for comfortable and effortless scooping and serving from any angle, and the tip is made of food-safe silicone. Plus, the spoon’s small head is particularly appreciated by reviewers for little babies.
Although some parents find this spoon to be messier than others, it is worth noting that it is relatively small, and thicker purées should be used rather than stage 1 and 2 purées. Plus, this spoon is dishwasher-safe and has silicone handles that are free of BPA, phthalates, and PVC.
Munchkin White Hot Infant Safety Spoons – Best Heat Sensing Baby Spoon
- Great spoons for starting solid for a new baby
- Not too deep so easy for the baby
- Basic color change for hot food
- Good width
- Stains easily
Reaching the milestone of introducing solid foods to your baby can be both rewarding and challenging, as you need to ensure the food is at the right temperature. Fortunately, Munchkin’s White Hot Safety Spoons can make those initial feedings easier for both you and your little one.
Simply dip the spoon tips into the heated pureed baby food to determine if it’s too hot. If the tip turns white, the food is too hot for your baby to eat. Wait for it to cool before testing it again.
The tapered spoon bowl is perfect for little mouths, and the soft tips are gentle on gums. Additionally, the large handles make feeding your baby in a high chair easier. Plus, these spoons are free from BPA and phthalates and can be washed on the top rack of the dishwasher.
Ryan & Rose Cutie Tensils Baby Spoon and Fork – Best Baby Spoon & Fork Combo
- The shape of the utensil allows the baby to grasp it very well
- Great for teaching the rotation of the wrist to get food from bowl to mouth
- Great teether
- Cleans easy
- The spoon is very deep and because of the way it’s shaped it doesn’t allow the baby to get everything out of the spoon
Each set includes two food-grade silicone 2-in-1 utensils that feature both a fork and a spoon on opposite ends.
The shallow spoon is designed to provide the perfect portion size for children of all ages, and the Cutie Tensil can be used in both hands to shovel food when it cannot be easily scooped. This helps babies develop critical thinking skills as they learn to stab, shovel, or scoop their food. Plus, the fork side can also be used to scoop and gently stab food.
The easy-grip handle is designed to help babies transition from a young grip to an adult utensil grip. Plus, the Cutie Tensil set is BPA and phthalate-free and is safe for top rack dishwasher cleaning.
ezpz Tiny Spoon – Best Wide Grip Baby Spoon
- They’re a great size to hold for baby
- The flexible spoon cup makes it really easy to get the food off the spoon
- Easy to clean
- Does not stain that much
- These spoons are smaller than expected
The ezpz Little Spoon is designed to aid in a baby’s self-feeding journey by accommodating their hands and mouth. This developmental milestone is significant, and the Little Spoon is a practical and suitable tool to help achieve it. Its soft silicone material is gentle on developing teeth and gums, ensuring a safe self-feeding experience.
The spoon bowl is equipped with sensory bumps to enhance sensory awareness and prevent choking and gagging. It works well with both purees and baby-led weaning techniques. Plus, the Little Spoon is made from high-quality silicone that is free of harmful substances such as lead, latex, phthalates, PVC, BPA, and BPS and is recommended for babies aged 4+ months.
How To Choose The Best Baby Spoon?
- Safety: Look for spoons that are made of non-toxic, food-grade materials and free of harmful chemicals such as BPA, phthalates, and PVC (1).
- Design: A good baby spoon should have a shallow bowl, making it easier for your baby to scoop up food. The spoon handle should be easy to grip, and the spoon itself should be lightweight and easy for your baby to hold.
- Age-Appropriate: Different spoons are designed for different stages of development. For example, some spoons are ideal for beginners who are just starting out with solid foods, while others are more suitable for older babies who are learning to self-feed.
- Size: The ideal baby spoon should provide a comfortable and secure grip for your little one, ensuring that their hands fit perfectly around the utensil. This is especially important if you plan on encouraging self-feeding, as your child’s ability to hold and manipulate the spoon can greatly impact their feeding experience.
When Do Babies Start Using Spoons?
Babies typically start using spoons when they are between 4 and 6 months old, which is when they can start introducing solid foods into their diet (2). At first, parents or caregivers may feed the baby with a spoon, but as the baby gets older and develops more motor skills, they may start to express an interest in feeding themselves with a spoon.
Around 8 to 10 months of age, many babies can start using a spoon with some assistance, such as holding the handle while the parent or caregiver helps guide the spoon to the mouth. By 12 months of age, many babies are able to use a spoon independently (3).
Is Plastic Or Silicone Better For Baby Spoons?
Both plastic and silicone are safe materials for baby spoons, but many parents prefer silicone spoons because they are softer and gentler on a baby’s delicate gums and teeth. Silicone is also more durable and less likely to break or crack than plastic, which can become brittle over time.
Additionally, silicone is a more eco-friendly option, as it is a non-toxic and non-polluting material that can be easily recycled. However, some parents still prefer plastic spoons because they can be more affordable and come in a wider variety of colors and designs.
Do You Need To Sterilize Baby Spoons?
While it’s not necessary to sterilize baby spoons after every use, it is recommended to sterilize new spoons before the first use, and then periodically after that (4).
Some options for sterilizing baby spoons include boiling them in water for 5-10 minutes or using a sterilizer specifically designed for baby items. If using a dishwasher, make sure to place the spoons on the top rack and use the hot water and heat dry settings.
How Many Baby Spoons Do I Need?
It’s recommended to have at least 3-4 baby spoons on hand, so you have enough clean spoons for each feeding throughout the day. This can also help ensure that you have a clean spoon readily available if one becomes lost or dirty. It’s important to note that some babies may go through more spoons in a day than others, depending on how often they eat and how much food they consume at each meal.
Can My Baby Use A Regular Spoon?
Babies can use regular spoons as they grow older and develop their motor skills. However, it is important to note that regular spoons may not be the best option for very young babies who are just starting to eat solid foods. Baby spoons are designed with soft and shallow bowls, which make it easier for babies to scoop food into their mouths and reduce the risk of choking or injuring their delicate gums.
