I’m sure you’re thinking, spoons, what can someone say about spoons, of all things?
Here are some things I wish someone had told me sooner about how best to introduce baby food to my twins.
Feeding Technique
When I was introducing purees, I was scraping the roof of my baby’s mouth with the spoon. It was an efficient way to feed both babies at once.
Only after going to see an Occupational Therapist for a separate issue did I learn that you should let your baby’s mouth and lips close over the spoon and take the food off the spoon. Lesson learned. It is important for babies to learn how to properly move their lips and mouth to eat.  Sometimes our good intentions can limit our baby’s developmental growth.
Types of Spoons
I recommend using three different kinds of spoons to take your baby from first foods through the toddler years. All the spoon types are below. We curated our favorite spoons from our Amazon store. Our store connects directly to your account.
Beginner Spoons: At six months, I found it easier to use the flat type of spoon for my twins. It’s easier for young babies to take the food off the spoon if it’s flat. See the options below.
Beginner/ Intermediate Spoons:Â As they became better at removing food from the spoon IÂ introduced a regular baby spoon. These spoons are longer allowing you to more comfortably feed your baby. See the options below.
Between 7-9 months, infants learn to cup their tongue for the spoon, and close their lips around the spoon to help draw the food into their mouth (Glass and Wolf, 1992). When you put food in your baby’s mouth, pause half way and let your baby practice closing his or her lips on the spoon and taking the food off the spoon. Babies need lots of practice to master a new skill, eating!
Self-feeding spoons: Finally, as they start to move on to feeding themselves, we used the spoons that are curved and shorter so it’s easier for a young toddler to angle the spoon into his or her mouth. See the options below.
Babies and toddlers will get better using spoons and forks when they get practice. I know it can get messy, but self-feeding is important. Add a mat under your highchair and let the messy begin.
Beginner Spoons
Dr. Brown’s Long Spatula Spoons
A spatula shaped spoon is perfect for when you first introduce solids. It lets baby easily slurp food.
Get the Dr. Brown’s Long Spatula Spoons on Amazon for $5.86
Oxo Tot On-the-Go Feeding Spoon
This shallow spoon with travel case makes feeding easy and convenient for on the go.
Get the Oxo Tot On-the-Go Feeding Spoon with Travel Case on Amazon for $4.99
Beginner/Intermediate Spoons
Oogaa Silicone Baby Weaning Spoons
Perfect shape for first foods. Can also be used for gumming as teeth begin to develop.
Get the Oogaa Silicone Baby Weaning Spoons on Amazon for $8.46
Get the Oogaa Silicone Baby Weaning Spoons on Amazon for $7.99
Take & Toss Infant Spoons
Durable enough to last, but cheap enough to be disposable. Let you child hold one so they stop trying to grab the one you are feeding them with!
Get the Take & Toss Infant Spoons on Amazon for $2.60
Munchkin Soft-Tip Infant Spoon
These brightly colored spoons are comfortable to handle for you and soft on your babies gums .
Get the Munchkin Soft-Tip Infant Spoon on Amazon for $2.92
Self Feeding Spoons
Sassy 2 Pack Baby Less Mess Toddler Spoon
Curved handles to make self feeding easy. Spoons have holes to help drain and unwanted liquid.
Get the Sassy 2 Pack Baby Less Mess Toddler Spoon on Amazon for $8.12
Munchkin Sesame Street Toddler Fork and Spoon
This fun Elmo is designed for self feeding and  is sure to make meal time enjoyable for even this youngest fans!
Get the Munchkin Sesame Street Toddler Fork and Spoon on Amazon for $5.71
BEABA New 2nd Stage Soft Cutlery
A prefect self feeding on the go set.
Get the BEABA New 2nd Stage Soft Cutlery, Sorbet, 2 Count on Amazon for $6.95
Gerber Graduates Kiddy Cutlery Forks
A prefect beginner fork for self feeding newbies.
Get the  Gerber Graduates Kiddy Cutlery Forks in Assorted Colors on Amazon for $3.97
Gerber Graduates Kiddy Cutlery Set
This set comes with a knife, and it’s prefect to teach kids knife handling skills in a safe way.
Get the Gerber Graduates Kiddy Cutlery Set in Assorted Colors on Amazon for $4.68
OXO Tot Training Fork & Spoon Set
plastic handles and stainless steel tops make this a great self feeding set.
Get the  OXO Tot Training Fork & Spoon Set on Amazon for $6.99
LunchBots Children’s Cutlery Set
A modern, stainless steel set.
Get the LunchBots Children’s Cutlery Set on Amazon for $12.99
Fred and Friends Snack And Stack Kids Interlocking Brick Utensils
A fun building block set that will make meal time fun!
Get the Fred and Friends Snack And Stack Kids Interlocking Brick Utensils on Amazon for $11.20
Airplane Fork & Spoon Set
For all those future pilots out there!
Get the Airplane Fork & Spoon Set on Amazon for $8.95
Set of 3 Construction Utensils
The perfect set for any little construction worker or truck enthusiast!
Get the Set of 3 Construction Utensils on Amazon for $17.49
Fred and Friends Dinnersaurs Fork and Spoon Set
A “real” fork and spoon set that been millions years in the making!
Get the  Fred and Friends Dinnersaurs Fork and Spoon Set on Amazon for $10.20
Hot Pink Airplane Spoon and Fork Set
Girls love planes too!
Get the Hot Pink Airplane Spoon and Fork Set on Amazon for $8.47
Find all of these Spoons plus many more at the Feeding My Kid’s Amazon Store
The information on this website is designed for educational and/or entertainment purposes only. The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns regarding your child’s condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses.
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Sources:
1)Glass, R. & Wolf, L. (1992). Feeding and Swallowing Disorders In Infancy. Tuscon, AZ: Therapy Skill Builders.Lieberman, A. & Birch, L. (1985). Interactional developmental approach. In D. Drotar (Ed.)