Baby Feeding Essentials for Starting Solids: Less Is More
Starting solids is such a fun milestone—but it can also feel overwhelming. The good news? You don’t need a ton of fancy stuff to make it work! This guide to baby feeding essentials for starting solids includes simple tools, clever hacks, and real-life tips to help make mealtimes easier and more enjoyable.
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Starting solids with your baby can be an exciting milestone—but let’s be real, it can also feel a bit overwhelming. With the right tools and a few clever tricks, though, it can be a lot easier (and a lot less messy).
Here’s a guide to my favorite baby feeding essentials for starting solids, along with some hacks that made the process much smoother for our family.
Essential Supplies for Starting Solids
When your baby is ready to start eating solid foods, it’s tempting to go all out with cute bibs, fancy high chairs, and matching tableware. But the truth is you don’t need much.
When my first daughter started solids, we were on a tight budget. That helped me stick to the basics. And it turns out, you really don’t need a ton of stuff.
Here’s what I found to be truly helpful:
Booster High Chair
Your baby needs a safe place to sit while trying new foods, but you don’t have to spend a fortune. We used a $15 booster seat from Walmart that straps to a kitchen chair. The removable tray is easy to clean—just rinse it or toss it in the dishwasher.
Bibs and Alternatives
Keeping baby clean during mealtime is a priority, but it doesn’t have to be complicated or spendy. Here’s what I recommend:
- Get silicone catcher bibs. Not only do they save a lot of food from ending up wasted on baby’s lap or the floor, they’re also dishwasher safe!
- Try a waterproof shirt bib. I was gifted a shirt bib like this and they’re perfect, especially for messy foods like applesauce and smoothies.
- Use an old t-shirt. Most of the time, we actually don’t even use a bib—we use a shirt. An old t-shirt (of mine or my husband’s) with a hair tie in back keeps clothes clean from shoulder to knee!
Mesh Bag or Feeding Pacifier
When you’re starting with things like cucumbers or berries, a mesh bag or silicone feeding pacifier is a great way to let your baby explore flavors while avoiding big chunks. We used a piece of tulle to make little baggies, but next time I’m buying these mesh feeders.
My daughter wasn’t into the pacifiers, but I know lots of moms swear by them!
Cups
With so many kinds of kids cups out there, it’s overwhelming to know which to buy. I personally love these Munchkin 360 cups. They’re easy for my daughter to use and they don’t leak (unless thrown across the room, of course).
If your baby likes straws, these leak-proof straw cups are a great option.
Baby Food Mill
Before your baby has teeth, most foods will need to be mashed. We used this baby food mill from Green Sprouts to help with the mashing. You can put all kinds of stuff in it—even things like pasta and veggie meals—and it comes out in a baby-friendly size and texture!
Spoons
For a long time, the only dish we used with our daughter was a small plastic spoon. Her food went straight onto the high chair tray, and she ate with her hands. When she showed interest, we started giving her a spoon to practice with.
Occasionally, we’ll use a bowl now, but it’s just one we already had on hand. Honestly, you don’t need special baby plates or bowls—your baby won’t miss them!
Tiny Containers for Leftovers
Tiny containers for baby-sized leftovers are incredibly handy. They don’t take up much room in the fridge and make it easy to grab a quick snack for your little one later.
Snack Cups
If you’re tired of picking up cheerios from the floor, you need these snack catcher cups. The flexible lids let little hands in but keep the snacks from falling out.
Reusable Food Pouches
I was so happy the day I realized these reusable food pouches were a thing. Now you can give your kids applesauce pouches without having to spend the extra money at the store! These are also great for smoothies, yogurt, and other soft foods you want to take on the go.
Soft Washcloths
Dedicated baby washcloths are gentle on little faces and perfect for mealtime cleanup. While not a must, I’ve liked having them.
Finger Toothbrush
Now that your baby is eating more than just milk—and probably has a few teeth coming in—a toothbrush is a great addition. Silicone finger toothbrushes are a fantastic option. They let you feel exactly where you’re brushing, avoid the need for a bulky toothbrush, and are super gentle on little gums.
Silicone Table Mats
Finally, if you like eating out, don’t forget these silicone mats. They provide a clean eating surface, so your baby can enjoy table food without touching the actual table.
Handy Hacks for Baby Feeding
In addition to some baby feeding essentials, here are 5 hacks that will make starting solids so much easier.
- Make a T-shirt Bib: I mentioned this above, but it’s worth saying again. Rather than buying bibs, turn old t-shirts into full-coverage bibs that protect clothes from shoulders to knees. Secure the neck with a hair tie for a snug fit.
- Add Crackers for Texture: If your baby isn’t a fan of straight purees, try adding small cracker bits to mashed foods like beans or lasagna to provide more texture.
- Use a Pizza Cutter: Slice foods like toast, sandwiches, and quesadillas into easy-to-grab pieces with a quick swipe of a pizza cutter.
- Pull Out the Grater: Use the grater when prepping foods like apples, cheese, and other grate-able items. Grating achieves baby-safe sizes in a fraction of the time.
- Bookmark SolidStarts.com: This site is a treasure trove for parents starting solids. It has a database of foods that you can search to learn when to introduce a food, how to serve it safely, and so much more!
Final Thoughts
Starting solids with your baby is a big step, and it doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few simple baby feeding essentials and some creative tricks, you can make the experience easier and more fun for everyone.
Remember, every baby and family is different. What worked for us might not be exactly what works for you, and that’s okay! Be patient, experiment, and enjoy this messy, joyful phase of your baby’s development.
Until next time,
Allison
READ MORE:
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