So, after six months of a milk-only diet, it’s finally time for you to start introducing your child to solid food.
Weaning can be daunting. Aside from it being a seismic milestone for your baby, there is a lot for parents to think about as well. Once you are sure your baby is ready, you have to consider which method of weaning is right for you and them, be that purees, baby-led or a mix of both. And of course, once you have started, there are concerns about potential risks such as choking and introducing allergens.
With a lot to stress over, it is always good to know that you have the right kit to embark upon your weaning journey. But - and we’re sorry to be the bearer of bad news - that can be overwhelming too.
You have to decide what highchair, food storage, cleaning products and bibs to buy and some parents may also be interested in investing in steamers or baby food preparation machines to speed up prep time.
One item of weaning kit we can guarantee you will need is a decent supply of plates and bowls. While there are lots of options to consider, an essential thing to look out for in the early stages is suction. Because a few weeks into your weaning journey, your little one will likely realise they can throw their food - and anything you can do to stop this delightful habit and cut down on cleaning time is a win.
Then when your baby is older, you may want to graduate to plates and bowls that are slightly more grown-up. These are non-sectioned and non-suctioned and therefore look more like an adult plate that won’t stick to the highchair or table. Here is a collection of great plates and bowls to buy for whatever weaning stage you are at.
See below
Best baby weaning books to help your child’s journey to solids
Best follow on baby formulas for babies more than 6 months old
Best baby weaning products to help take the hassle out of weaning
Best high chairs for babies and toddlers
Best vegetable delivery boxes in the UK
Best baby bottles to feed your little one with convenience and ease
KIDLY Suction Divided Plate
Children’s retailer KIDLY sells exceptional plates, bowls and other cutlery at reasonable prices. Sold in a variety of lovely, non-garish colours, you can pick up a variety of mix-and-match items in their 3-4-2 offer, including this excellent sectioned silicone plate costing £12 on its own. This plate is made from BPA-free and phthalate-free silicone, is dishwasher, freezer, oven and microwave safe and is sticky enough and small enough to be used on most high chairs.
Buy now £12.00, KIDLY
Béaba 4 Piece Silicone Meal Set
This Mamas & Papas set of bowl, plate, cup and spoon is an excellent all-in-one option. That being said, you will need to buy some extra cutlery and the cup is more suitable to older children who have advanced to drinking out of a cup with no lid. Top tip, until that time comes, the cup can be used to store food in the fridge!
The plate and bowl have lovely high sides, which can help teach little ones how to scoop food onto their spoon. At £25 for four items, it’s not badly priced either.
Buy now £25.00, Mamas & Papas
BabyBjorn 4 piece Dinnerware Set
Another good pick if you’d like to buy everything from one place - or if you are looking to buy someone a baby gift. This four-piece set (includes bib, plate, cutlery and cup) is sturdy in design but is not suction - so arguably better for older children or the rare little ones who don’t seem to enjoy throwing their dinner on the floor. All of the items are dishwasher-safe.
The brand also sells an eight-piece set including a plate/bowl, plus two spoons, two forks, a bib and a cup costing £60.
Buy now £35.00, BabyBjorn
Nattou Soft Silicone bowl set
A stylish pick, you can’t go wrong with the Nattou four-piece set that includes a suction plate and bowl, plus a spoon and cup. Like other sets, the cup isn’t great for new weaners - but it will come into its own later down the line. The spoon has also been created to give babies the best head start when it comes to learning how to feed themselves and as such is moulded for smaller hands. It is dishwasher-safe and reasonably priced too.
Buy now £39.95, Amazon
Flopsy Bunny Dinner Set
An adorable set is inspired by Beatrix Potter and would be a great gift for a slightly older child. It comes with a non-suction, sectioned bunny rabbit plate, a bowl that closely resembles an adult cereal bowl, a fork, spoon and cup. It can be put in the dishwasher or in the microwave.
Buy now £30.00, Amazon
Bamboo Bamboo suction plate
Bamboo Bamboo is a popular brand thanks to its cute animal-shaped plates that come in a variety of colourways. Many parents swear the animal shapes help engage their children and keep them eating with less of a fuss. But, again as it is made from bamboo, it is handwash only and not suitable for the microwave. This is a massive downside if you are thinking about everyday use. Perhaps get one to have in the cupboard for fussy days - or if you don’t have a dishwasher, it’s a perfect pick.
Buy now £18.99, Amazon
Vital Baby Nourish Perfectly Simple Kids Plates 5 Pack
At just over £3 for a pack of five, you can’t go wrong with these classic plastic kids’ plates by Vital Baby. Made from phthalate-free, latex-free and BPA-free materials, the plates are stackable and fit nicely into the dishwasher. You can also microwave them or sterilise them. A great option if you have multiple young children and are making them multiple meals a day.
Buy now £3.75, Boots
Moonkie Suction Plates with lid
This set of two sectioned plates is genius because it comes with lids! Most children won’t eat all of their food all of the time, so having a lid that snugly fits on top of the plate will prevent decanting or food waste. You simply wait for their dinner to cool, pop the lid on and leave it in the fridge ready for when they’re ready for round two. The set is reasonably priced and dishwasher-safe. A great buy for busy families.
Buy now £14.98, Amazon
Poppets scoop bowl
Made from BPA-free food grade silicone, this fantastic bowl is a great option for children learning how to scoop up potentially tricky foods such as soups and cereals. It has one very high side, so children can use that to help keep their food on their cutlery for longer. Each bowl comes with a matching spoon.
Buy now £12.00, Poppets
