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Best baby plates and suction bowls for weaning and beyond
Weaning from around six months is almost always a messy business, but the right tools can make a real difference. Here are the best baby bowls and plates to buy right now, as recommended by parents.
By Anna Cook | Last updated Jun 26, 2024
Whether you’re doing baby-led weaning, spoon feeding or a combination of the two, there will come a point when your baby will want to feed themselves. This may inevitably mean that food ends up on them (or the floor) rather than in their mouths as they get to grips with where their mouths actually are.
When you start weaning, it's a good idea to arm yourself with some basics. Our guide to the best highchairs has plenty of parent-approved options for a safe and secure place to put your baby during their mealtimes, and we've also researched the best sippy cups Mumsnet users swear by so they can learn how to use a cup.
The best baby plates and bowls: at a glance
"They're fab - comes with a lid and a pouch to carry it in!"
Best baby plate overall
EasyMat Mini Portable Silicone Baby Suction Plate
"We had various sizes which worked (and still work!) well!"
Best baby bowl set
Munchkin Stay Put Baby Suction Bowl Set
"We use them all the time - the suction is a godsend!"
Best sustainable baby weaning bowl
bamboo bamboo Baby and Toddler Suction Bowl Set
When introducing your baby to solids, your weaning journey can be vastly improved by buying the best baby plates and suction bowls specifically designed for feeding young children - and the right ones can last for years afterwards, too. Non-slip and suction bowls can help to reduce mess, while some families prefer mat-style plates. You also need to consider the type of material your baby bowl and plate are made from - something solid that won’t break easily is a must - where you’re going to use them (at home or out and about) and what you’re going to use them for – are they for purées or for BLW portions?
We know that when it comes to our guides to the baby products that work - covering everything from the best baby bath to the most effective changing mat - the real parents on our forums know the best buys for their little ones. So our first port of call was the Mumsnet Talk boards, to see the baby plates and bowls that were highly rated by our forum users. We then extensively researched authentic customer reviews to ensure we were bringing you an honest and reliable guide to the top feeding tools for your family.
These are the best baby plates and bowls to buy in 2024.
Has a lid for travelling
Strong suction cups
Nice colourful design
Sections for different foods
Pricey
Sticks better to a smooth surface - doesn't work as well on a textured one
Users claim it didn’t wash well in the dishwasher
Price on writing: £17 | Material: Highest grade BPA-free LFGB silicone | Size: 29 x 21 x 3 cm | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Yes
EasyMat’s design combines the best of all worlds. It has strong suction cups and, while it’s not a traditional bowl, it’s ideal for weaning at home or on the go. The best thing is that it comes with a lid so you can pre-fill the sections. For an extra wow factor, the sections are arranged in a happy face design.
As we know children like to get messy when they eat, you’ll be glad to know the mat is dishwasher-friendly - although some parents found it didn’t wash well - and you can also put it in the microwave if you need to heat up any food. There are seven colours to choose from including orange, lilac and teal so there’s something for everyone here.
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Very cheap
Will last into preschooler years and beyond
Easy to clean
Nice range of colours
Basic design
Can’t use them to heat food
Price on writing: £5 for six | Material: BPA-free silicone | Size: 19cm diameter | Dishwasher safe: Yes, up to 70°C | Microwave safe: Yes, if the food is below 100°C
If your baby doesn’t tend to throw food about, then IKEA’s KALAS range is a bargain. Available in colourful six-piece sets, these bowls and plates are microwave and dishwasher safe. We think they'd be great for outdoor dining for all ages, so you'll get use out of them post-weaning, well after you've stored your feeding bottles and steriliser away. They’re also BPA-free.
They may not come with a cute design, but Mumsnet users who have tested the range rave about IKEA’s weaning products, including the Antilop Highchair which we’ve included further down our list, for being such good value, easy to clean and good quality. If you are heating food though, transfer it to a ceramic or glass bowl first as temperatures over 100 degrees can degrade the plastic and could cause some transfer to the food.
Related: If you're breastfeeding during those early stages of weaning, we've sought out the best nipple cream to soothe sore skin
Strong suction
Great value
Dishwasher safe
Stackable
Good size for weaning
Only one colour set available
Some users found the bowl doesn’t stick well
Price on writing: £7 for three | Material: BPA-free silicone | Size: Blue bowl - 12cm W x 12cm D x 6cm H. Green bowl - 11cm W x 11cm D x 5.5cm H. Purple bowl - 10cm W x 10cm D x 5cm H | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Yes
Once you've had a peruse of the best weaning books and have chosen an expert-penned guide to inspire you, you'll want to start thinking about what you'll be serving foods up in. There are three bowls in this Munchkin Stay Put Set and they stack so will take up less room in your cupboard. A suction bowl is great for avoiding accidental spillages and helping children get used to feeding themselves, but no matter how strong it is stuck down, they can be no match for a determined toddler.
However, the newer version has an even stronger suction base than the previous model to create a firm hold, but quick-release tabs mean you shouldn't have too much trouble trying to get it off the table when it’s time to wash up. It’s a good size, is safe for the top rack of the dishwasher and is durable so should last well into toddlerhood.
Read next: The best baby wipes, as tried and tested by parents
Affordable option
Easy-scoop sides
Strong suction
Dipping pot for sauces and yoghurts
The suction base isn’t dishwasher or microwave safe
Some users had trouble removing the suction cup from the plate
Dip pot is quite shallow
Price on writing: £5 | Material: Phthalate-free, latex-free and BPA-free materials | Size: 19 x 4 x 20 cm | Dishwasher safe: Yes, but suction pad must be removed | Microwave safe: Yes, if suction pad is removed
Vital’s design has easy scoop sides. It’s a bargain and users love the super-strong suction power for preventing spillages and messy mealtimes.
The plate also comes with a handy dipping pot in the middle which you can add sauces or yoghurts to - although it is quite shallow - so children can explore even more tastes and textures. It is suitable for the microwave and dishwasher, but the base isn’t, so be careful.
Related: We've carefully selected the best changing bags that make parents' lives easier
Long-lasting as you can remove the suction to turn it into a regular bowl
Made from natural materials
Cute matching animal plates
Come in a range of nice colours
Not dishwasher-safe
Pricey for one bowl
Price on writing: £17 | Material: Bamboo | Size: 12cm diameter | Dishwasher safe: No | Microwave safe: No
Bamboo Bamboo’s Suction Bowl is, as you’d expect, made from bamboo, as well as food-grade silicone to protect your child from BPA, phthalates and other toxins. The suction is very effective and it’s also removable so you can turn it into a regular bowl if/when your child stops throwing their bowl onto the floor, giving it longevity that other baby bowls simply don’t have.
It holds 350ml, is a good size at 12cm in diameter, and it comes with a spoon too. You can also get an animal-shaped Bamboo Suction Plate from the same company in a range of cute designs. There are six colours to choose from including lilac, cherry and orange. They’re pricey though and not dishwasher-friendly, but they should last a long time, way past the stage where they're confidently eating solid food and you've bid farewell to your breast pump and baby bottles.
Weighted base keeps bowl in place
Soft, high walls contoured to keep food in
Dishwasher and microwave safe
Pricey
Price on writing: £15 | Material: BPA-free silicone | Size: 5.72 x 12.57 x 24.13 cm | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Yes
OXO is a kitchen brand loved by Mumsnet users, so we were delighted to discover that their 'tantrum-proof' bowl for toddlers comes just as well received as their products for grown ups. The weighted base keeps the bowl from sliding or flipping over and it has high walls to encourage babies to feed themselves.
It's also easy to clean, something which will be music to busy parents' ears - simply pop it in the dishwasher for a fuss-free clean. Our only gripe is that it's quite pricey for a basic bowl, but with staying power like this, you may find it's worth the expensive.
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Big suction pad helps it stay put
Lots of different characters/animals available
Separate sections
Sustainable
On the smaller side
Not safe for microwaves, ovens, sterilisers, dishwasher or freezers
Price on writing: £19 | Material: Bamboo | Size: 20 x 20.5 x 3.3 cm | Dishwasher safe: No | Microwave safe: No
We love that this eco rascals Bamboo Plate has a large suction base, which means less likelihood of your little one removing it from the table or highchair tray.
It also has two separate sections, which is great for baby-led weaning so that savoury and sweet foods don’t mix – until, of course, your baby does it themselves. The sections are curved making it easier for them to get the food too, but it’s worth noting that some parents felt the plate was on the small side for a toddler.
The bamboo material does mean it's not dishwasher safe, but it can easily be cleaned in soapy, warm water. It also can’t be used to heat up food in a microwave or oven, or stored in a freezer.
Four in a pack
Affordable
Triangular corners for easier scooping
Freezer-, dishwasher- and microwave-friendly
You need to buy the magic mat for the full benefit
Some users claim the bowls can stain and scratch quite easily
Price on writing: £5 for four | Material: BPA-free silicone | Size: 16.4 x 14.6 x 7.6cm | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Yes
The Tommee Tippee Feeding Bowl is BPA-free, can be used in the freezer and the microwave, and is dishwasher safe.
Similar to the much-loved IKEA bowls and plates, they are fairly cheap, especially if your child can eat from a bowl without tipping out its contents. If not, you will need to buy the magic mat as a surface to stick the bowls to. While it’s an extra cost, it does ensure the bowls will last once your baby no longer needs a suction bowl.
While they’re not as cute or child-friendly as say the cute design of the eco rascals Duck Natural Bamboo Plates, the triangle corners of the bowl make scooping food easier so there’s a chance your child will eat more – although we’re not promising anything.
No bowls or plates to be flung onto the floor
Easy to keep clean
Good value
Can remove tray to seat baby at a table
It won't last as long as a bowl or plate so you may need both eventually anyway
Price on writing: £26 | Material: The seat and tray are polypropylene plastic, while the legs are steel with epoxy/polyester powder coating | Size: 90 x 62cm | Dishwasher safe: Tray is dishwasher safe | Microwave safe: N/A
Tried and tested by Mumsnet: Read our in-depth IKEA ANTILOP review.
Some babies are experts at pulling any type of suction bowl off the table and tipping the contents on their head/your wall/the floor/you. In this case, Mumsnet users recommend putting food straight onto the tray of the highchair.
The IKEA ANTILOP Highchair comes highly recommended for this purpose as the tray is removable and dishwasher-safe, and there are no corners or fiddly bits for food to get stuck in. It’s very basic to look at compared to other highchairs, but that means it doesn’t take up too much space in your home and when your child gets older and wants to sit at the table you can easily remove the tray.
What to consider when choosing a baby plate and bowl
The material it’s made from – you’ll need bowls and plates that won’t break when they are inevitably thrown on the floor. Look for BPA-free plastic, silicone and bamboo which are all good non-breakable materials.
How do you plan to wean – BLW, purées or a mixture? If you’re baby-led weaning, then mats can often work better than plates for finger food. In the first year babies get most of their calories from milk, so don’t worry about buying bowls and plates with huge capacity.
How your baby behaves – some will pick up and chuck anything that is put in front of them, so suction bowls will help stop that happening. Alternatively, look for ones with a non-slip base, which will stop them sliding all over the table or highchair tray.
How well it washes - If you want a product that will wash easily, look for one that can be put in the dishwasher. You may not be able to do this with some bamboo products.
What other features you need – if you’re out and about, then look for mats that can fold or bowls with lids so you can take food with you (and home again if it doesn’t get eaten). If your baby likes to use a spoon themselves, then bowls with slightly angled edges can make scooping easier for them. If you plan to use a microwave to reheat food, make sure the bowls and plates are microwave safe.
Related: If you're still breast- or bottle feeding, see our guides to the best nursing chair and top bottle warmers to make feeds as easy as possible
Are bamboo bowls safe for babies?
Bamboo is a great alternative to disposable plastic plates and cutlery. Bamboo is also naturally antibacterial, so germs and bacteria won’t get anywhere near your child at mealtimes. It’s also the fastest growing plant in the world, so it’s renewable and completely biodegradable.
Some cheaper bamboo products are made from fibres that are then glued together with melamine. Watch out for these as, while the FDA says it’s safe, they caution not using melamine in the microwave or with food hotter than 160 degrees. Also avoid serving highly acidic foods as it increases the chance of the material migrating or transferring into baby food.
Are silicone baby plates safe?
Silicone is durable, safe, and more ocean-friendly than plastic. It doesn’t contain any petroleum-based plastics or toxic chemicals like those found in plastics. It also stands up better against heat and cold.
Are suction bowls good for weaning?
A suction bowl can be really useful in the early stages of weaning, especially if your child likes to throw their food on the floor. Unfortunately, they are not completely child-proof and most won’t withstand a determined baby or toddler pulling at them, but they can help avoid any accidental spillages and help children get used to eating out of a bowl.
Related: Up your sustainability efforts with the best reusable nappies, according to parents
When should babies start using plates?
There is no set time for this as it will depend on how you feed your baby, what foods they eat and what your child is like at mealtimes. Some children will eat nicely off a plate, others will throw the plate and all its contents on the floor - in which case, it’s probably best to just put it straight onto the highchair tray. As your child gets older, you can introduce plates - maybe starting with a suction base - to get them used to it.
What are the best baby bowls and plates?
The best baby plate is the EasyMat Mini Portable Baby Suction Plate with Lid. The strong suction cups make it ideal for weaning and we love that it also comes with a lid, sections for portioning out food and a cute happy face design that kids will love.
According to parents, the best baby bowl is the IKEA KALAS Bowl. Affordable, long-lasting and BPA-free, it's a safe and budget-friendly option for all families.
How we chose our recommendations
Recommendations from parents
We always want to make sure we find products that can withstand family life so we start by looking for recommendations from our trusted Mumsnet users. With over 7 million users each month, we know we’re getting products that have been thoroughly put to the test in everyday situations by parents and that the products will meet a variety of budgets and needs.
Expert guidance
When whittling down our list of recommendations, our trusted and experienced parenting journalists spend hours researching each product category, using a variety of sources to evaluate which products are the best.
We consult expert review sites, such as Which?, to check that the products come highly recommended.
Consumer feedback
Knowing that the real experts are you, the consumer, we make sure to check online reviews on retailers such as Boots, Argos, John Lewis, and Amazon, to make sure the products are up to scratch. We use both negative and positive feedback to help us consider the quality, safety, value for money and any extra features to ensure they perform well across the board.
Celebrated best products
We also look out for any products that have received industry awards and recognition from trusted sources to help us work out which products to recommend.
Here are the best baby bowls and plates for weaning and beyond.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.
About the author
Anna Cook has been a national magazine and newspaper journalist for 15 years, and appears regularly on TV and radio talking about parenting issues. She has two children.