13 Best Baby Spoons for Fuss-Free Feedings, According to Parents
What to Expect selects products based on real-life testing conducted by staff, contributors and members of our user community, as well as independent research and expert feedback; learn more about our review process. Prices and details are accurate as of the published date. We may earn commissions from shopping links.
Quick Summary
According to the doctors we spoke with, the best baby spoons share a few key qualities. They feature ergonomic, baby-friendly designs that encourage self-feeding, are made from safe and durable materials, and offer easy cleaning and parent-approved practicality (plus, a little cuteness never hurts).
I’ll never forget the first time I handed my oldest son a spoon. He was eating avocado purée that ended up absolutely everywhere, and the look of accomplishment on his (bright green) face made the mess worth it. Starting solids is an equally exciting and wonderfully messy milestone, if not a little bittersweet. As I quickly learned, the spoon you hand over can make a big difference in how smoothly mealtimes goes (and how much cleaning up you have to do afterwards).
When my boys were babies, I looked for spoons that were easy for their tiny hands to grip and safe for them to use. There’s so much more feeding gear on the market now, and like with sippy cups and baby plates, the amount of options parents have to wade through today can be overwhelming. Choosing the right spoon can not only make mealtimes less chaotic (it helps, at least!) but also help support and develop baby’s hand-eye coordination, gross motor skills, and even portion control and appetite regulation.
A Doctor's Note About Baby Spoons
When it comes to selecting the right spoon for your baby, experts suggest parents look for the following features:
- Non-toxic, chemical-free materials: Baby spoons are constructed with a variety of materials, ranging from silicone and plastic to metal and wood. For synthetic materials, make sure the spoon is free of harmful materials like BPA. Silicone spoons should be made with food-grade material. For metals and wood, make sure the spoon is lead-free and preservative-free. (While many products follow these guidelines, it never hurts to double-check the label.)
- Durability: For spoons made from a combination of two or more materials, like a silicone spoon bowl with a metal handle, make sure the pieces are well-constructed and won’t separate. Dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe, freezer-safe, and boil-safe are also good features to look for (and hopefully should make your life a little bit easier!)
- Choke protection guard: Especially for younger babies who are learning to use utensils, protective guards that limit baby’s ability to shove the spoon too far into their mouth can help prevent choking or gagging. (Picture a wide shield in the middle of the spoon handle that would prevent your little one from putting the utensil too far back into their mouth.) Not every spoon needs a choke guard — the important thing to know is that spoons with long handles are not meant for babies to self-feed with, but rather, for parents to use when feeding their kiddos, says Dr. Kelman.
- Appropriate length and width: Longer-handled spoons are useful when baby is being fed by a parent or caregiver, but for self-feeding babies, shorter handles, wider handles, or handles with guards are better.
- No sharp or firm edges: Any utensil going into a baby’s mouth should not have any sharp edges that can cut or puncture your little one.
- Proportionate spoon bowl size: Finding the right spoon bowl size for baby (which varies based on your baby’s age and mouth size) will help with portion control and help prevent overfeeding and gagging.
One more thing: It’s a good idea to avoid all-metal utensils, especially with teething babies. These aren’t recommended for little ones, as chomping down too hard on a metal spoon can hurt sensitive gums and emerging teeth, according to Dr. Kelman. However, she says occasionally using a metal spoon is fine, since it’s the utensil material babies and toddlers will eventually grow into and it’s good practice.
How We Choose the Best Baby Spoons
To determine the best baby spoons, I:
- Consulted expert guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)on the safest materials and designs, prioritizing BPA-free, food-grade silicone spoons with no sharp edges.
- Sought expert insights from Michelle Kelman, D.D.S., a Los Angeles-based pediatric dentist, lecturuer at UCLA, and member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board, and Steven Abelowitz, M.D., F.A.A.P., an Orange County-based pediatrician and medical director of Coastal Kids Pediatric Medical Group. As Dr. Abelowitz noted in a previous interview, “Children learn to use utensils through coordinating their hands with their eyes,” underscoring the importance of developmentally appropriate spoons.
- Considered different feeding stages, from spoons parents can use to feed purées early on to options designed for babies learning to self-feed.
- Factored in personal experience as a mom of two, using spoons that balanced comfort, safety, and low maintenance.
- Reviewed thousands of What to Expect community posts to learn which spoons parents loved most (and which were a source of frustration). I included brands consistently praised for comfort, durability, and easy cleanup, made the final cut.
Ready to dig in? Check out our favorite baby spoons below.
Why Trust Us?
What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.
Best Starter Spoon for Babies
Num Num Gootensils Baby Pre-Spoon Set
- Unique ergonomic design
- each spoon has a distinct purpose
- Open “spoon” bowl can be messy
- expensive compared to other spoons
Material: Food-grade silicone and nylon
Length: 3.8 inches
Quantity: 2
For babies 6 months and older, the leap from hand-feeding to using utensils can be huge. The Num Num’s Gootensils Pre-Spoon is a good way to bridge the gap, which is exactly why it earned the What to Expect Feeding Award for Best Baby Spoon.
The set comes with two utensils: one is a mealtime teether to help your baby get used to holding a spoon, which grabs just enough food to bring up to the mouth; the other has a more open design and helps your baby explore solids and thicker blends. These pre-spoons are designed to promote independent self-feeding by encouraging baby to scoop the ridged end into food, which captures a bite before going to their mouth.
Best Budget-Friendly Baby Spoons
Munchkin 12-Piece Soft-Tip Infant Spoons
- Less than $1 per spoon
- dishwasher-safe
- long handle reaches bottom of food jars
- Better for caregivers more than babies
Material: Plastic
Length: 9 inches
Quantity: 12
Founded more than 30 years ago in Los Angeles, Munchkin designs a wide range of colorful and innovative products for babies, toddlers and parents caring for little ones. With a decidedly modern aesthetic, Munchkin products are stylish, durable and well-priced. This 12-piece soft-tip infant spoon set frequently gets high praise from parents for its value and ease of use. Plus, the soft plastic is gentle on your baby’s gums and teeth. The spoon’s ergonomically designed handle (similar to a toothbrush) is better suited for adult hands than for babies learning to use a spoon. However, parents who’ve used them — myself included — think they’re an excellent choice for feeding infants.
Best Training Spoon for Learning to Self-Feed
Olababy Training Spoon
- Soft texture
- ergonomic design
- stands up on its own
- Thin edges can fray over time
Material: 100% FDA-grade silicone
Length: 5 inches
Quantity: 2
Looking less than a traditional spoon, and more like a short stalk of fresh bamboo or a piece of asparagus, Olababy’s uniquely designed baby spoon features a tapered spoon bowl that scoops up the right amount of food for your little one’s mouth. Better than using a hard spoon, the spoon’s soft silicone construction is gentle on baby’s gums and teeth. Pre-freezing the spoon gives it double life as a soothing teether. Bonus: the bottom of the spoon base can be stood upright to avoid germs and messes.
Best Baby Spoon for Easy Grip
Ezpz Tiny Spoons
- Cute utensil designs
- built to last
- good for purees and baby-led weaning
- Expensive compared to other spoons
Material: 100% food-grade silicone
Length: 3.75 inches
Quantity: 2
What started as a Kickstarter campaign in 2014 by founder Lindsey Laurain has grown into ezpz, an award-winning company that makes well-designed tableware and utensils for kids. Ezpz’s wide-grip silicone baby spoon set is proportioned for little hands and silicone heads for easy scooping. These come in two sizes, for ages 4 months and older and for ages 12 months and older. The unique design includes sensory bumps on the handle and bumps on the bottom to stabilize the utensil when it’s not in use. The narrow spoon bowl fits safely into your baby’s mouth, and the chubby, non-slip handles make grasping more successful.
One parent raves that her little one loves this spoon so much, he prefers to eat with it over just his hands.
Best Self-Feeding Baby Spoon for Little Hands
Grabease First Self-Feeding Baby Utensils
- Short and ergonomic handle
- protective choking barrier
- comes with carrying case
- Plastic construction can shatter if dropped
Material: Plastic
Length: 3 inches
Quantity: One spoon and one fork
Whether you’re trying a traditional feeding approach or baby-led weaning, at some point, your little one will start to want to use the spoon all by themself. Grabease’s self-feeding baby utensils feature short, rounded handles that are easy for baby to grab and hold, promoting the development of baby’s dexterity through natural movements. The spoon’s shallow bowl and cloud-shaped protective guard will help baby from overfeeding or choking — essential for the initial foray into using utensils.
Best Stylish Baby Spoon
Mushie Silicone Baby Feeding Spoons
- Modern design
- Gorgeous color options
- Gentle on baby’s gums
- Can stain if used with strongly pigmented foods (like carrots or beets)
Material: 100% food-grade silicone
Length: 6.5 inches
Quantity: 2
If you want feeding gear that looks as good as it works, Mushie’s Silicone Baby Feeding Spoons are hard to beat. With their soft, food-grade silicone tips and dreamy colors, these spoons are as gentle on your baby’s gums as they are pretty on your kitchen counter. The long, slim handles make it easy for parents to feed purees or yogurt with full control, which is helpful when dealing with swatty baby hands. They’re also lightweight and dishwasher-safe. Plus, they’ll look super cute in all of your baby’s messy feeding snapshots.
Best Minimalist Silicone Baby Spoon
Lalo Little Spoon Set
- Wide easy-grip handles
- Sleek design
- Durable silicone
- Some parents wish they were longer
Material: 100% food-grade silicone
Length: 4.1 inches
Quantity: 2
Simple, sturdy, and thoughtfully designed, the Lalo Little Spoon Set is perfect for parents who don’t want clutter or complicated features. The shorter, chunky handles are easy for little hands to grip, while the spoon’s soft edges are kind to baby gums and emerging teeth. Their modern design fits seamlessly with the rest of Lalo’s mealtime collection, making them a sleek option if you’re shopping for a matching feeding set.
Best Baby Spoon and Fork Set
Bumpkins Chewtensils
- Choke guard for added safety
- Spoon and fork combo grows with baby’s eating skills
- On the smaller side
Material: 100% food-grade silicone
Length: 3 inches
Quantity: One spoon and one fork
If you want to start your baby off with a spoon and fork set to learn how to use both simultaneously, Bumkins Chewtensils give babies everything they need to start exploring solids with confidence. The fork has rounded tines that help spear soft foods without any sharp edges, while the spoon has a deep-enough bowl for scooping purees. Both feature easy-to-grip silicone handles and a built-in choke guard, so little ones can self-feed more safely. Bonus: the extra-sturdy silicone design means they double as teethers when your baby just wants to chew.
Best Baby Spoon for Teething
Nuby Dipeez Silicone Spoon
- Dishwasher-safe
- freezer-safe
- nice colors
- Thick construction can be awkward for small hands
- spoon bowl may be too deep for some
Material: 100% food-grade silicone
Length: 5.25 inches
Quantity: 2
Perfect for little ones who love to chomp, Nuby Dipeez is part spoon, part teether, and all dishwasher-safe silicone. On one end of the dual-ended design is a traditional spoon bowl, and on the other is a textured dipper meant to “grab” soft foods. In between are a variety of textures for your baby to experiment with — whether that’s gnawing with their gums or gripping to scoop food. The different textures massage sore gums, but the design still encourages your baby to practice self-feeding. It’s a genius first utensil that meets teething babies exactly where they are.
Best Spoon for Travel
Oxo Tot-On-the-Go Feeding Spoon
- Comes with compact storage case
- soft silicone coating
- Pricey for one spoon
Material: Plastic handle, stainless steel neck, food-grade silicone spoon bowl
Length: 6.5 inches
Quanity: 1, with travel case
Having a dedicated baby spoon to keep in your diaper bag for on-the-go meals means one less thing to worry about packing when you’re trying to get out the door. Oxo’s well-designed Tot-on-the-Go Feeding Spoon features a comfy ergonomic handle and a carrying case that’ll prevent the baby spoon from getting dirty (or lost) somewhere in the bottom of your bag. Like all Oxo’s thoughtfully designed products, this portable baby spoon nicely marries form and function.
Best Eco-Friendly Spoon
Re-Play Toddler Feeding Spoon and Fork Set
- Great value
- Made from recycled materials
- dishwasher-safe
- tons of colors available
- May not work well for younger babies
- certain foods may stain material
Material: Made from sustainable recycled milk jugs that are safe for food contact
Length: 5.8 inches
Quanity: 8
The special thing about Re-Play’s Toddler Utensils sets is that they're made from recycled milk jugs, making them a more environmentally conscious choice than some other spoons and forks on the market. The utensils themselves can also be recycled once you don't need them any longer. Designed for toddlers, the wide spoon bowls and forks can pick up plenty of food for hungry mouths. The handles make self-feeding easy, and the utensils are dishwasher safe, making for easy clean up.
Best Spoon for Baby-Led Weaning Beginners
Munchkin Gentle Scoop Spoons
- Shallow bowl helps baby scoop
- Choke guard
- Wide handle
- The clear silicone may stain with tomato-based food
Material: Food-grade silicone with a BPA-free plastic interior handle
Length: 3.95 inches
Quantity: 2 or 4
Munchkin’s Gentle Scoop Spoons are designed with beginner self-feeders in mind, and parents say they’re a standout for baby-led weaning. The shallow spoon bowl makes it easier for babies to scoop and actually get food into their mouths, while the soft tips are safe for teething gums. Parents like the slightly wider handle, which helps tiny hands grip with confidence (even if they’re still figuring out hand-eye coordination) and the wide choke guard.
Types of Baby Spoons
With so many baby spoons to choose from, picking the right one for your cutie can feel overwhelming. Baby spoons primarily fall into three categories:
- Traditionally shaped spoons: Most baby spoons on the market resemble miniaturized versions of ordinary adult spoons (like a rounded spoon bowl with a handle). Unlike adult utensils, which are typically made from stainless steel, baby spoons are most often made from soft materials such as silicone or plastic. Some have special features like temperature-sensitive spoon bowls or grooves on spoon tips to help gauge depth.
- Textured dippers: Some spoons look less like regular spoons and more like tiny sticks or stalks. These spoons tend to have very shallow spoon bowls or no spoon bowl at all, with either a flat spatula-like edge or rounded end. Your baby can use them to dip into pureed food (which grabs onto the grooves or nubs) and then suck on the dipper.
- Spoon and teether combos: These two-in-one spoons combine the form of a utensil with the function of a teether. The best ones are freezer-safe, which gives your baby a soothing experience on sensitive gums during mealtime.
Not sure which kind of spoon is right for your baby? No matter what approach you take to start your little one on solids, Dr. Kelman’s advice for selecting the best utensil is simple: “In general, the best spoon is the one that your child will actually use.” Look for options that seem like they’d work for your baby, ask your pediatrician for a recommendation or test a few different spoons to see which picks are the winners with your little one.
It’s also useful to keep plenty of extras on hand (especially when baby is first getting started with utensils), as baby spoons have an ingenious way of finding themselves on the floor and in other unusual places during mealtime!
Baby Spoon FAQs
When can I start introducing utensils, like spoons, to my baby?
Most babies are ready to start experimenting with spoons around 10 to 12 months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But there’s no one-size-fits-all rule. “Every child is different developmentally, and milestones are different,” says Dr. Kelman.
If you’re doing baby-led weaning, Dr. Abelowitz adds, you can even offer a silicone spoon earlier — around 6 to 9 months — for dipping into soft foods. Ultimately, follow your baby’s cues. If your baby is reaching for utensils or banging them on the tray, it’s probably time to give it a try.
How many baby spoons do I really need?
Honestly? More than you think. Between daily meals, inevitable floor drops, and the occasional spoon ending up under the couch, having a stash on hand is a lifesaver. Experts agree it’s wise to stock up on multiple spoons, especially in the early days. “In general, the best spoon is the one that your child will actually use,” says Dr. Kelman. Don’t be afraid to test a few styles and keep extras in your diaper bag, high chair, and kitchen drawers.
- Steven Abelowitz, M.D., F.A.A.P., Pediatrician and Medical Director of Coastal Kids Pediatrics, Newport Beach, California.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fingers, Spoons, Forks, and Cups, April 2021.
- Michelle Kelman, D.D.S., Pediatric Dentist, Lecturer at University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry and Member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board, Los Angeles, California.
