Here are a few of my favorite toddler-tested plates, bowls, spoons, forks, bibs, and sippy cups that help me bring baby to the dinner table.
1 From Italy: Momma Warm Developmental Meal Set, BPA-free, nonslip, and warmable (pour hot water into the dish base). $22, mommaUS.com.
2 This is my son’s favorite sippy cup! Momma Developmental Drink Set, includes cups for stages 1 to 3. BPA-free. $22, mommaUS.com.
3 From France: Beaba Soft Curtlery Set, BPA-free and dishwasher-safe. $24.95 for 6 spoons and 4 forks, beabausa.com.
4 Beaba Soft Plate Set, BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, slip-resistant, and stackable. $29.95 for set of 3, beabausa.com.
5 Beaba Soft Cup Set, BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, nonslip, and stackable. $19.95 for set of 3, beabausa.com.
6 Ikea’s Smaska 6-piece feeding/baby spoon set. $12 for 6 pieces, ikea.com.
7 Fork and spoon set, from the new Tot line from Oxo. $7, oxo.com.
8 Oxo Tot's Small + Large bowl set has lids—genius! $10 for 2 piece set, oxo.com.
9 Oxo Tot's Plate, BPA-free, slip-resistant. $7, oxo.com.
10 Oxo Tot’s Sippy Cup with handles. $7, oxo.com.
11 Boon’s ModWare. $5, booninc.com or target.com.
12 Our decorating editor (and family blogger) Rebecca Robertson collects Hellerware at home for her son’s mealtime. Available at conranshopusa.com, as well as flea markets, antiques shops, and Ebay. This photo is from the September 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living.
13 From Japan: FunFam’s beautiful wooden Valencer Set. $55 for the set, available beginning December 1, theproductgallery.com.
14 This beautiful set from Co-zen is also from Japan and unfortunately not currently available in the United States. Sorry, I just had to include it! Spotted on Bkids (bkids.typepad.com).
15 I love these! Heath Ceramics Kids set with David Mellor Kids Flatware. $135 for 6-piece set., heathceramics.com. Photo by Jeffery Cross.
16 Dwell Studio's Owls Sky Coated Bib.$12, dwellstudio.com.
17 Giggle Better Basics organic-cotton striped bibs. $22 for set of 2, giggle.com.
18 Funkie Baby Gnomes Soak Proof Bib. $24, barneys.com.
19 Coloring Placemat. $25 for set of $26 sheets, westelm.com.
We are giving three lucky winners a Momma Developmental Drink Set, 4-month+ Spoon, and 4-month+ Teether Ring. To enter, post a comment of 250 words or less sharing a tableware favorite or mealtime strategy by noon on 11/29/2010. See official rules for more details.
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and not-too-messy Thanksgiving!
From: Debbi Burnie | 11/25/10 at 9:06 am
We always have a highchair placed at the table, then they have their own special place to sit and eat. Unfortunately not all our kids (spouses) conform to this idea. When it is used it works great.
From: Ashley Rebecca | 11/25/10 at 3:28 pm
Babies are notorious for being messy at mealtime, always fighting mom's attempts to get them to eat veggies, fruits or other nutritious foods that are liquefied. A baby’s health and development is a big concern for moms, so the "food fight" often leads to frustration for both parties. To solve most sticky situations, a unique gadget that combines the spoon and food container is the perfect product. You are able to feed your baby with only one hand just by squeezing. This 2 in 1 baby food-dispensing spoon is a great tableware gadget for every mother at mealtime.
From: Sally Sparks | 11/27/10 at 2:28 pm
My son and I love our Kleen Kanteen sippy cup. http://www.kleankanteen.com/products/kid/kid-kanteen-sippy-classic.php
It keeps his water cool when we take it on the go and it hold just the right amount for mealtimes. The best part, it doesn't leak one tiny bit.
From: Holly | 11/28/10 at 4:03 am
Recently we have had fun with teaching the kiddos how to dish up at the table. For years we have been preparing their plates but now its time for them to dish up! Its been fun to see them and how they determine what they want & how much!
From: Jennifer | 11/28/10 at 9:16 pm
Instead of buying a booster seat when my son grew out of his highchair, we decided to eat at the counter on the stools as a family. Not really a strategy but we're loving it and we saved some money.
From: Emily | 11/29/10 at 12:33 pm
We bought loads of bowls and plates and dippers and spoons and sippy cups for our first baby. The second time around we're keeping things to a minimum and using a booster with a tray table instead of a high chair which I think is genius!