How to choose the proper toddler utensils
Introduction
Once your baby can eat semi-solid and soft solid foods such as steamed potatoes, it is time to invest in the proper toddler utensils. Designed for safety and ease of use, toddler utensils are essential when you are ready to teach your child how to use a spoon and a fork.
Why do toddlers need utensils?
Just as we take for granted many different skills, using utensils is taught to us by our parents or parental figures. Walking and talking may come naturally, but learning how to self-feeding needs some learning.
Toddler utensils are perfectly usable and are made, so your child gets the chance to learn the eating motions without too much weight to deal with and colorful to make each mealtime exciting.
Most parents look forward to the day their toddler can self-feed because it fosters independence and encourages a child to eat to their fill. Not too little and not too much. Toddler utensils provide the solution, as they will be right-sized, safer to use, and light enough to handle by a toddler.
The color of these utensils is also warm, making mealtimes fun times!
Tips on how to choose the proper toddler utensils.
As you introduce your toddler to utensils, be ready to practice some patience. Your mini muncher will not go from a finger foodie to a pro-utensil user in one go.
Toddler utensils are available in different sizes, shapes, and colors and serve different functions. Toddlers will ideally become better at using their utensils at around 18 and 24 months, when their ability to independently grasp a fork or spoon will improve.
The following tips will help you choose the best utensils for your toddler:
- Consider your child's age – At six months old, most children will not know how to hold and direct a spoon to their mouth, but silicone spoons and forks will come in handy at around ten months. A 3-year-old will comfortably use sturdier silverware.
- The kind of food your toddler is eating – Spoons will be the ideal first utensil since they are easier to use. They will achieve more success using a fork when their fine motor skills are sharper, which is around 15 months of age.
- The material of the utensils – Plastics may not be the best option for a toddler, especially plastic spoons. Small stainless-steel items mimic normal-sized utensils, making your toddler feel 'old enough' to feed themselves.
- Size and shape – A too-big or heavy utensil will make it difficult for your toddler to use. A large handle will have a larger holding surface area, making such a utensil the best for a toddler.
Some of the best toddler utensils available
- Soft Grey & Pink Fork & Spoon Set – Made to encourage self-feeding, this giraffe design fork and spoon set will make mealtimes fun. Perfect for introducing solids, this set is gentle on your baby's teeth and light to bring to the mouth. The giraffe's legs are designed to work like a three-dimensional fork. This makes the picking up of food easy.
- La Petite Silicone Cup – This cup will make the bottle-to-cup transition so much easier since your child's motor skills are not well developed. Holding a heavy cup may be challenging, hence the sippy cup which is hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and 100% safe for your little ones feeding.
- La Petite Silicone Bowl – Available in different beautiful colors and highly durable, Avanchy's La Petite bowl supports baby-led weaning as it features a perfect size and shape for handheld use. You can prep and feed in it and freeze and dishwasher it.
- Bamboo Suction Classic Plate and Plate Holder + Spoon – This set will allow you to feed your little one without causing a whole mess. Keep that food from spilling during mealtimes, even when practicing baby-led weaning.
- Bamboo Suction Baby Bowl + Spoon | No more spills – Say goodbye to tipping, splats, and spills. With this Bamboo Suction Bowl, there will be no more tears and messiness during mealtimes. Sticking firmly to the table, this bowl encourages easy eating and clean-up, and the suction can be removed once your baby grows up.
- Pink Silicone Plate and Utensils – Let this squirrel plate come to your rescue during mealtimes. Challenging to knock over, this plate is your ultimate solution to a clean table. Made from 100% safe materials, the food-grade silicone is safe for heating, is BPA-free, and can be refrigerated. The handles for fork and spoon have wooden handles, making their use safe for your toddler.
- 360-Degree Rotating Bowl for Baby | Mess-Free Mealtime – No matter your toddlers' movements, this 360-degree rotating bowl will stay put, ensuring a mess-free mealtime. Featuring a bowl on an axis stand that rotates in all directions, your mealtimes will be fun. Perfect for outdoor meals like beach days or picnics, this bowl will bring mealtime to your toddler, wherever they will be.
- Silicone Suction Plate with Lid and Spoon – Such a stylish addition to your toddlers' utensils collection, this divider plate will give your child more independence and is perfect for learning how to self-feed. The suction base keeps that plate in place and comes in a beautiful peach color. The lid allows the plate to serve as a storage container or snack tray. Perfect for multi-use.
Conclusion
Toddler utensils will work better when they are the right size and weight relative to your toddler's hands. This will make grasping easier, and the food to (actually) get to the mouth. As they grow up and their fine motor skills improve, so will their ability to feed themselves.
References
Home Kartz, (2023), Soft Grey & Pink Fork & Spoon Set.
https://homekartz.com/products/soft-grey-pink-fork-spoon-set
Home Kartz, (2023), La Petite Silicone Cup.
https://homekartz.com/products/la-petite-silicone-cup
Home Kartz, (2023), La Petite Silicone Bowl.
https://homekartz.com/products/la-petite-silicone-bowl
Home Kartz, (2023), Bamboo Suction Classic Plate and Plate Holder + Spoon.
https://homekartz.com/products/bamboo-suction-classic-plate-spoon
Home Kartz, (2023), Bamboo Suction Baby Bowl + Spoon | No more spills.
https://homekartz.com/products/bamboo-suction-baby-bowl-spoon
Home Kartz, (2023), Pink Silicone Plate and Utensils.
https://homekartz.com/products/pink-silicone-plate-and-utensils
Home Kartz, (2023), 360 Degree Rotating Bowl for Baby | Mess-Free Mealtime.
https://homekartz.com/products/360-degree-rotating-baby-bowl
Home Kartz, (2023), Silicone Suction Plate with Lid and Spoon.
https://homekartz.com/products/silicone-suction-plate-with-lid-and-spoon
