Starting solids as a first-time mom can feel more overwhelming than exciting. I wasn’t sure what to feed my baby that would be both easily digestible and nutritious. Between the fear of choking, the mess, and all the second-guessing, our early feeding days were filled with anxiety.
Whether you're doing purees, baby-led weaning, or a mix of both, having the right knowledge and tools can make this chapter feel more manageable. What do you actually need to start solids? In this post, I’m sharing 10 simple and practical baby feeding essentials—plus product recommendations that truly helped us along the way.
Jump to:
- 1. High Chair with Good Support
- 2. Easy-to-Clean Splash Mat
- 3. Silicone Bibs with Food Catchers
- 4. Suction Plates & Bowls
- 5. Baby Spoons
- 6. Open Cups & Straw Cups
- 7. Food Storage Containers & Freezer Trays
- 8. Baby Food Maker (Optional)
- 9. First Foods Guide or App
- 10. Infant CPR & Choking Safety Resources
- Final Thoughts
1. High Chair with Good Support
Look for a chair that allows your baby to sit upright with proper back and foot support—and ideally, one that’s easy to clean. We started with a high chair that had comfy cushions, but it quickly became a pain to clean after every meal. We ended up using the IKEA Antilop the most—it’s simple, budget-friendly, and surprisingly effective. You can find a footrest and other accessories for the IKEA highchair online.
Recommended Products:
- Munchkin Float Baby High Chair - Foldable, sleek and easy to clean.
- IKEA Antilop High Chair Accessories – Budget-friendly and easy to clean.
2. Easy-to-Clean Splash Mat
If you're doing baby-led weaning or letting your baby self-feed, this is a must. A splash mat helps protect your floors and makes cleanup much easier.
Recommended Products:
- Mushie Baby Splat Mat – Lightweight, wipeable, and machine washable.
- Tiny Twinkle Mess-Proof Splat Mats - Large size, waterproof, and available in beautiful designs.
3. Silicone Bibs with Food Catchers
Silicone bibs with a deep food pocket are a lifesaver. They catch falling food, wipe clean in seconds, and many are dishwasher-safe. I found that having two was perfect.
Recommended Products:
- Mushie Silicone Bibs – Soft, beautiful colors, and easy to wipe down.
- Loulou Lollipop Waterproof Bibs – Cute prints and durable material.
4. Suction Plates & Bowls
These help keep food in place and encourage independent eating. I found that having two sets on hand was enough.
Recommended Products:
- ezpz Mini Mat – All-in-one placemat + plate combo.
- Bumkins Silicone Grip Dish – Strong suction and cute shapes.
- Bumkins Silicone Baby Bowl - Strong suction, perfect size for soup.
5. Baby Spoons
Choose spoons that are gentle on gums and easy for your baby (and you) to hold.
Recommended Products:
- Bumkins Baby Utensils Set - Includes a self-feeding spoon and fork.
- ezpz Tiny Spoons – Designed to promote self-feeding with safe size and grip.
- Munchkin White Hot Safety Spoons – Changes color if food is too hot.
6. Open Cups & Straw Cups
Introducing an open cup and a straw cup early helps support oral motor development and teaches lifelong drinking skills. You can offer your baby and toddler a small amount of water during meals.
Recommended Products:
- ezpz Tiny Cup – Perfect size for baby’s first sips of water.
- Mushie Straw Cup – Easy to hold with a soft silicone straw.
- Munchkin Weighted Straw Cup – Great for learning to drink upright, with minimal spills.
7. Food Storage Containers & Freezer Trays
If you're making homemade baby food, having the right storage containers is a game-changer. Since babies eat such small portions, it's helpful to freeze purees in individual portions using a silicone freezer tray—then just pop out what you need, when you need it. Small airtight containers are also great for storing food in the fridge or packing snacks on the go.
Recommended Products:
- Weesprout Glass Baby Food Jars – Non-toxic, durable, and leak-proof.
- OXO Tot Baby Blocks Freezer Storage – Stackable and ideal for portioned meals.
- WeeSprout Silicone Baby Food Freezer Tray – Makes it easy to freeze and pop out single servings.
8. Baby Food Maker (Optional)
If you're making purees, a baby food maker can simplify steaming and blending. That said, a standard blender or food processor works just fine, too.
Recommended Products:
- Bear Baby Food Maker – All-in-one steam and blend system.
- Nutribullet Baby – Compact, user-friendly, and comes with storage containers.
9. First Foods Guide or App
Introducing solids can feel overwhelming, especially when you're unsure how to safely serve new foods. Having a trusted guide or app on hand can take the guesswork out of feeding and give you the confidence to move forward—whether you're doing purees, baby-led weaning, or a mix of both.
Recommended:
- Solid Starts App – My go-to resource. Search any food to see how to serve it safely by age, with visuals and guidance for allergens and texture.
- How to Wean Your Baby by Charlotte Stirling-Reed – Evidence-based and practical.
- Simple & Safe Baby-Led Weaning by Malina Malkani – Focuses on safe self-feeding with easy-to-follow steps and nutritious meal ideas.
10. Infant CPR & Choking Safety Resources
While not a feeding item, knowing how to respond in a choking emergency can give you peace of mind and help you stay calm during mealtimes. Learning infant CPR and choking response techniques is one of the most important things you can do when starting solids.
Recommended:
- Do your research and look for free infant CPR and choking response courses offered by local health authorities, hospitals, or parenting support organizations.
- Some public health units and community centers provide virtual or in-person classes led by certified professionals.
- You can also watch evidence-based tutorials from trusted organizations like the Red Cross, American Academy of Pediatrics, or your local public health department.
Final Thoughts
Starting solids can be stressful—especially when you’re trying to do everything "right" while navigating nap schedules, growth spurts, and a very curious baby. I remember feeling unsure of every bite I offered, constantly worried whether my baby was getting enough nutrients, or if I was serving something unsafe.
If you're in that place now, I want to say: you’re not alone. It does get easier with time—and having a few reliable tools by your side can help build the confidence you need to make mealtimes feel less overwhelming.
These essentials helped take some of the stress out of our feeding journey, and I hope they can do the same for you.
👉 If you haven’t already, be sure to check out my post Easy Homemade Baby Food Ideas: From Purees to Finger Foods for recipe inspiration and tips!
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