Top Things Your Baby and Toddler Need For Easier, Cleaner Mealtimes
On October 29, 2020 by Megan FolsomThere are so many baby-related products on the market these days, and it can get overwhelming to know which ones you should choose. Today, I’ve rounded up all of our family’s food-related favorites for my one-year-old! We started with baby-led weaning when he was six-months old and have added some new things to the list now that he’s a toddler. All of these things things will also be useful for babies who start out with purees though. I’ll tell you exactly why you’ll love them too and I’ve linked them all to help make the process as quick and painless for you as possible.
Amazon Bib
Starting out, this was our favorite bib. Initially, babies drop SO much food as they are trying to learn how to hold on and make it all the way to their mouths. You basically need to give your baby a bath after every meal time, but this bib totally changed that for us! It has long sleeves and catches EVERYTHING in their lap. The only downside is that it doesn’t go in the dishwasher, so you do need to wash it pretty frequently and rinse it out in the sink between meals. Eventually, it did stain, but it was life changing for the few months that we used it. Once he had a better grasp on food and could make it to his mouth, we switched to…
Silicone Bibs
I’m convinced that these are the greatest invention ever. (If you shop through this link, you can get 20% off your whole order). They catch most of the food that is dropped while they’re eating, so their laps stay much more clean. The best part is that they are silicone, which means that they are SO easy to wipe down, you can throw them in the dishwasher, they don’t stain and you don’t having a mountain of dirty cloth ones.
Food Mats
Having silicone plates for meal times that suction to the high chair tray has been such a game changer! These are the BEST ones we have found. (Be sure to use coupon code EZPZ25LOVE for 25% off of a $75+ order). They are such high quality and are so affordable. They are easy to clean and come in a variety of sizes and designs for your baby’s age and needs.
Trainer Sippy Cups
We loved starting with these trainer sippy cups. They have handles that are super easy for them to hold on to. The way they are made helps to prevent liquid from leaking out or spilling all over them. We bought these lids for them and have never had any issues with them leaking on the go.
Open Cups
It’s really important for kids to learn how to drink out of open cups, too, especially if doing BLW. The earlier they start practicing, the easier it is for them to pick it up. As soon as Trussler started eating solids at six months, we started offering him this open cup. (Be sure to use code EZPZ25LOVE for 25% off of a $75+ order). We held it for him to control how much water he was getting, but we loved that it had a weighted bottom. This made it nearly impossible for him to accidentally tip over if it was on his tray.
Straw Cups
A lot of toddlers go through a phase of being obsessed with straws. Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to keep them from walking around with them in their mouths, so having one that’s safe and won’t stab them if they trip is key! We have loved this one with a weighted straw that bends. If you’re looking for a stainless steal one…
Utensils
Eventually, kids need to learn how to use spoons to eat foods like yogurt and apple sauce. If you’re doing baby-led weaning, they recommend helping them use the spoon as early as possible. We started with a set of small spoons from here, and the thick stem made it so easy for him to grasp. (Be sure to use discount code EZPZ25LOVE for 25% off of a $75+ order). We have also loved this set that comes with a long-stemmed spoon for times when you are feeding them. Plus, it comes with a thicker, short-stemmed spoon that is easier for them to feed themselves and doubles as a teether. They are also silicone, making them easy to wash and dishwasher-safe!
If you haven’t already, make sure to check out my post: #1 baby item that’s totally worth the money.
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