The baby years are such a delightful, busy, and exciting time with everyone learning new things – from the little ones to us parents!
One of the trickiest parts about being a new parent (and there are a few, we know!) is deciding when to introduce something, and how.
This is especially true of feeding🍌🍉🍎👦
The types of food to introduce at which stage and in what manner can be A LOT… but we’re going to make it that much easier by explaining how best to teach your little one to use a spoon.
Benefits of spoon feeding for babies
🥄It improves motor development skills including hand-eye and hand-mouth coordination.
🥄It encourages healthy mealtime habits.
🥄It embraces sensory development through smell, sight, and touch.
🥄It broadens your baby’s palate for more food options.
🥄It supports a healthy relationship with food.
Which spoon should baby use?
Not all babies will learn to use a spoon at the same time, but this doesn’t mean you can’t start as soon as baba shows signs of interest in holding a spoon.
Make the process easier by using baby-sized utensils that are soft-tipped for those little gums, and an ergonomic design that makes the spoon easier for your little one to hold.
South African baby product manufacturer, Little Weasel, has crafted the perfect utensils for the different stages of your baby’s self-feeding journey 🐣🐥🐤
🐣Stage 1 Baby Training Spoons by Little Weasel
When your little one is ready to use a spoon will largely depend on your baby, but you can start with the Stage 1 Baby Training Spoon as soon as solids are introduced, usually around 4 to 6 months.
Don’t expect independent spoon-feeding from the get-go! There will be a lot of playing with the food (it will get a bit messy… just embrace it!), honing those fine motor skills along the way.
Food at this stage often includes yoghurt and puree-type foods which will often requires pre-loading the spoon - dipping the spoon in the food before giving it to baba. This specially designed spoon means more food will stick to it and get into baba’s mouth.
Benefits of the Stage 1 Baby Training Spoon
🥄The open spoon design clings to soft foods so there’s less risk of spillage and more makes it into baby’s mouth..
🥄The flat design is less frustrating for your baby as there’s no right or wrong way to hold it.
🥄The chunky, textured grip makes it easier for your baby to hold and use.
🥄The soft design and bumps on the handle let it double as a teething device.
🥄They are BPA-free, food-grade silicone making them safe for use.
🐥Stage 2 Toddler Training Spoons by Little Weasel
Once your child is around a year to 18 months old and has greater wrist control, you can move on to the next stage of baby-led weaning with a Toddler Training Spoon.
These are easy for toddlers to manipulate, supporting more age-appropriate bits of food and encouraging confidence and independent eating.
Benefits of the Stage 2 Toddler Training Spoons
🥄The shortened design, size, and chunky, textured grip make this easy for your toddler to hold and manipulate.
🥄The scoop size supports age-appropriate portions for toddlers, reducing the risk of choking.
🥄The soft design and bumps on the handle let it double as a teething device.
🥄It’s made from a single piece of moulded silicone so there’s a lower risk of breaking.
🥄They are BPA-free, food-grade silicone making them safe for use.
🐤Stage 3 Toddler Training Utensils by Little Weasel
From around 18 to 24 months, you’ll notice your energetic toddler wants to be much more independent and is showing improved motor skills and wrist control.
This is the perfect time to introduce the Toddler Training Utensils which include a toddler-appropriate spoon, knife, and fork 🍽. These utensils are designed for the tougher foods being eaten at this age while supporting self-feeding.
You might want to start with the spoon and fork, introducing the knife for soft foods like eggs🍳. From around 2 to 3 years, your child can start coordinating the knife and fork together, learning more complex knife skills like spreading and cutting later on.
Benefits of the Stage 3 Toddler Training Utensils
🥄These have a short, wide grip for easier control and less frustration.
🥄These are designed for safety, being solid rather than sharp, and are easier to spear tougher foods.
🥄The stopper design reduces the risk of choking.
🥄The utensils are made from BPA-free, food-grade silicone and stainless steel.
Little Weasel is here to help you and your precious munchkin on this exciting new journey of eating and discovery! While we can provide guidance, remember to always follow your paediatrician’s input on the appropriate age and method for starting solids for your child.
