First Bites: Tools for Success

Oral Motor Tools: Once your baby is consistently able to hold and bring toys to their mouth (typically around 3-4 months of age) you can introduce toys that support oral motor development. My favorites are the Comotomo teether , Manhatten Toy Winkel Rattle , Innobaby EZ Grip Star Teether , Innobaby Fruit teether, teething sticks, and Oball. These toys can encourage tongue lateralization, improve jaw strength, and help push back the gag reflex. 

Chairs: Having a high chair that you can pull right up to the table where you eat meals is ideal. This allows your baby to be a part of meal time rather separated in a high chair. In general a high chair should have an adjustable foot rest providing 90 degree angles at the hips, knees and ankles, and allow them to sit upright (not tilted back). Some of my favorites include: Stokke trip trap chair or Abiie beyond junior wooden high chair. If you are looking for a chair that can be placed on the floor or moved from room to room you could try the bumbo multi-seat (make sure it is the new version with the tray, the old foam version does not put babies in an ideal position) or the upseat.

Utensils: As soon as your baby is ready to start solids they are ready to start interacting with utensils. NumNum Gootensils spoons are great for early feeders. They can be dipped in purees or can scoop up thicker mashed textures. When buying your little ones first utensils look for short and wide handles like these (ideally less than 5 ½ inches in length) to allow for easy grip. Generally I don’t recommend using utensils that have a “choke guard” as it doesn’t allow your little to explore their mouth and can prevent them from finding the optimal placement of their utensil to avoid triggering their gag reflex.

Bowls/Plates: Initially suctioned bowls and plates can be super helpful so your little one doesn’t end up throwing it across the room. Some find a divided plate helpful, these are fine to use initially, however, once your little one is a more confident eater I would add in exposure to an undivided plate so they can see it’s okay for their food to touch.

Cups: Starting at 6 months your baby is ready to explore drinking from an open cup and a straw cup. Generally we recommend avoiding sippy cups as they can have a negative impact on oral structures. When introducing your baby to an open cup you can provide hand over hand assistance for them to hold the cup with both hands and bring the cup up to their mouth. Allow tiny sips for water until your baby can effectively manage and swallow the water. Bear cups are a wonderful way to introduce straw drinking. You can gently squeeze the bear’s belly and that will bring water up the straw until your baby develops the skills to suck through a straw.

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