Feeding Gear Recs

Seating

• The top two high chairs I’d recommend are Bugaboo or Stokke Clikk, depends on what you’re prioritizing:

Bugaboo:

Pros: 

• Can work for a super wide age range from the very beginning through to school-age

• Easier to clean than the Tripp Trapp (which is a popular choice for those wanting the above longevity)

• Relatively small footprint

Cons:

• Expensive

• Has a fabric component that requires washing

Stokke Clikk 

Pros:

• Easiest to clean, no fabric so can just wipe it all down (this is why we ultimately chose it)

• Extremely simple to construct and use

• Cheap

Cons:

• Wider footprint that can be a bit of a tripping hazard

• Might be too big for baby in the very beginning- you could start off feeding baby in the Bumbo Seat or the Joovy Walker 

• There are also high chairs that attach onto tables or kitchen islands which may fit your space better. This could be your primary chair, or an additional one (and if you have suitcase space, you could even bring it on a trip)

• Strong rec for the Chicco over the Inglesia - it’s easier to attach/detach, clean, etc.

• If you’re big outdoors people, the hiccapop is great for picnics and is very portable (can fit in stroller storage)

Mess Management

• Bibs

• Bumkins are super easy to put on and pack for an outing/trip.They are ideal for mushy/liquidy foods, whereas Bella Tunno are better for catching more solid foods, so get a few of each!

• I’d also get one Full Smock for especially messy meals

• Splat Mats

• House of Noa mats are pricey but beautiful and so easy to clean

• Bumkins are a good cheaper alternative 

Utensils, Cups & Plateware

• First Spoons

• For BLW, you’ll want to start with small spoons that are easy for baby to hold themselves like these EZPZ or Upward Baby

• For spoonfeeding purees, you could go with something longer that’s easier for adults to use and scoop with, such as Mushie

• First Cups:

• Ideally expose your child to a variety of cups so they learn to suck a straw, lift a sippy cup, and carefully handle an open cup (with parent support)

• Mushie Silicone Straw Cup or Munchkin Weighted Straw Cup (made of plastic, but more spill-proof than silicone)

• Nuk Sippy Cup (made of plastic, but my kids’ favorite and what we used to eventually transition off milk bottles)

• EZPZ Open Cup or Open Cup with Handles

• Plateware

• In the beginning, babies will mostly just be eating off the tray for BLW, or you can spoon feed them from your own adult plateware/bowls, but eventually you’ll want some baby bowls/divided plates

• Look for a good suction on bowls and plates so baby won’t throw it off the highchair tray; lids are also helpful for keeping leftovers

• There are pros and cons to different materials:

• Plastic:

• Most affordable and practical - durable, dishwasher and microwave safe

• Some people have environmental or safety concerns due to the chemicals in plastics 

• The primary plastic baby brands are all BPA-free but they may still release microplastics

• Microplastics are leached when plastic is heated (study), so one way to mitigate risk is to microwave food in glass/ceramic adult plate and transfer to baby plate for serving

• Handwashing also releases fewer microplastics than using the dishwasher, but it’s a pain so it’s a matter of tradeoffs

• Munchkin is super functional - their bowls suction better than many of the fancier options, and their divided plates and bowls stack nicely

• They make this genius snack-catcher for once your baby is older

• Nuk bowls have lids, which are great for leftovers

• Silicone: 

• Considered less toxic than plastic, while still usually being microwave/dishwasher safe

• Downside is cost and the fact that it may retain odors, including soapy smells from being washed - some people end up handwashing with special soap

• WeSprout bowls with suction and lids

• Mushie, Lalo and EZPZ are pricy but sell “sets” that are discounted

• Bamboo:

• Bamboo is very eco-friendly, one of the safest options from a chemical perspective, and doesn’t have the odor issue that silicone has

• But maintenance is a bit of a pain as it requires handwashing and it can’t be microwaved

• Avanchy makes bowls and plates with excellent suction

• I’d avoid Avanchy spoons - they are too big for baby mouths

• Stainless Steel

• Avanchy also makes a Stainless Steel suction bowl and plate, which is non-toxic and doesn’t absorb odors, but can’t be microwaved

• Some people choose to transition their babies to their own adult ceramic/glass plateware very early on - the risk of baby breaking it seems too stressful for me, but if you have a calm baby you can give it a try!