As parents, we all want to support our children in building essential skills—especially when it comes to mealtimes. Whether your little one is just starting to explore solid foods or is a confident toddler eager to feed themselves, the right cutlery can make all the difference in their mealtime experience.
Picking the proper utensils for your baby or toddler isn’t just about picking the most colorful spoon or the trendiest fork. It’s about finding baby and toddler cutlery designed to match your child’s developmental milestones, hand strength, motor skills, and safety considerations.
In this guide, we’ll explore why age-appropriate cutlery matters, what to consider when transitioning from baby spoons to toddler forks, and how to keep mealtimes safe and fun.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Cutlery
At doddl, we receive a range of questions about cutlery, but the most common one is: “Should I purchase the baby cutlery or the toddler cutlery?” This question often arises around the 11-month mark or whenever a family’s child development journey has unique circumstances.
For example, a 21-month-old with special needs might benefit from softer baby utensils to learn familiarity without discomfort before transitioning to a more advanced toddler cutlery set.
Supporting Motor Skill Development
Using the right spoon or fork isn’t just about efficiently scooping food—though that’s certainly helpful. It’s also about honing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
When a utensil is too large or too heavy for a child’s tiny hands, they can become discouraged and lose the motivation to try. However, on the other hand, if it’s too small or lacks the grip they need, they may not build the necessary skills to transition to more advanced utensils.
Well-designed cutlery empowers kids to practice their gross motor and fine motor skills in a way that feels natural and comfortable.
Looking for more on how to support hand and finger dexterity? Check out our guide about motor skills.
Boosting Confidence and Independence
Another major benefit of age-appropriate cutlery is the boost in self-esteem and independence it can provide.
Toddlers especially love doing things “on their own,” and having a fork and spoon tailored to their stage of development gives them the freedom to explore self-feeding without constant adult intervention. This sense of accomplishment at mealtime can foster a positive attitude toward eating, which is critical for healthy growth.
Ensuring Safety and Comfort
Lastly, properly sized cutlery is safer. For example, a baby spoon with a plastic rather than metal end helps protect sensitive gums from accidental pokes in the early face-bumping stages of using cutlery.
As kids get older and their coordination develops, a metal-ended, more functional utensil can help them pick up different textures of food. Handles designed with ergonomic grips reduce the likelihood of dropping or flinging food—keeping your dining room from looking like a paint-splattered art studio!
Understanding the Developmental Stages
Every child grows at their own pace. Some will be ready to wield a fork with confidence at 10 months, while others might still be exploring spoon basics at 14 months—and that’s perfectly okay! Here’s a quick overview of typical developmental milestones related to feeding:
6 to 12 Months (Baby Range)
Infants start experimenting with purees and soft solids. They develop the palmar grasp (holding objects with the entire hand) and can start exploring utensils.
12 to 18 Months
This stage often marks the big leap to self-feeding, where toddlers begin to use a pincer grip (thumb and forefinger) and show more interest in picking up pieces of food. Short, chunky handles and soft edges are crucial for success in scooping and skewering food.
18 to 36 Months
As toddlers gain confidence, they’ll refine their coordination, possibly learning to spear food with a fork, as well as scoop food with a spoon, and even start learning how to use a child-safe knife. Remember: these stages are just guidelines. A child with special needs might require more time with baby utensils. Alternatively, a child who loves to mimic older siblings could start holding a “big kid” fork earlier. You know your child best, and your cutlery choice should reflect where they are right now.
Infants (6 to 12 Months): Beginning the Journey
All parents remember those first bites of food their babies take. What a monumental milestone and an important one! You can make sure everything goes smoothly by having the right mealtime utensils on hand and ready for fun and learning.
Soft, Lightweight Spoons
At around six months—when many parents introduce solid foods—look for baby cutlery that are soft, lightweight, and has a small scooping area. This ensures your child doesn’t pick up more food than they can handle and will fit safely and comfortably into their small mouths. Soft spoons or ones with gentle edges can protect delicate gums from accidental jabs.
- Material: Soft plastic often works best at this stage. They’re easy on the gums and often dishwasher-safe.
- Handle Design: Short, rounded handles encourage a secure grip, even if your baby is mostly grabbing at the spoon rather than intentionally using it.
Introducing Self-Feeding
Though many six-month-olds aren’t quite feeding themselves, offering them an infant spoon to hold can build familiarity. Let them explore it—tapping it against their tray, bringing it to their mouth (sometimes the wrong way around!).
This helps them understand that the spoon is a tool for eating. We recommend loading the spoon with a puree before handing it to the baby, allowing them the opportunity to self-feed.
12 to 18 Months: Exploring with Independence
Your little one has just celebrated their one-year birthday, and now it’s time for them to exercise a little independence - even at mealtime.
Transitioning from Baby to Toddler Cutlery
By the time your child reaches their first birthday, they will likely show more interest in grabbing the spoon or fork from your hand. This is an excellent time to transition from an exclusively “baby” set to something slightly more advanced—like toddler cutlery.
- Ergonomics: Look for forks and spoons with handles designed to fit toddler hands, offering good grip support.
- Size: The spoon or fork head should be shallow enough for a small mouth, preventing them from overloading on food.
- Material: Many parents choose stainless steel at this stage (particularly if it has a contoured or coated handle). At doddl we use stainless steel ends for increased functionality, with BPA-free plastic soft touch handles to encourage the correct grip.
Encouraging Autonomy
For kids in this age range, feeding themselves becomes a game of exploration. They’ll practice scooping applesauce or trying to spear soft foods like banana slices. Mess-ups are inevitable (and can get epic!), but that’s part of the learning. Acknowledge how exciting and challenging it is for them: “Wow, you’re really trying to scoop that yogurt! Great job!”.
18 to 36 Months: Mastering Self-Feeding Skills
After a year and a half, your little one is probably becoming a pro at self-feeding.
Building Coordination and Dexterity
As kids approach 18 months, they often become more coordinated and adept at using utensils. They might start to imitate adults: placing a spoon in a dish, scooping, and delivering it to their mouth without too much spillage—at least on a good day! They’re refining their fine motor skills and building muscle memory. A well-designed toddler cutlery set can help them refine these movements faster and with fewer frustrations.
More “Grown-Up” Forks and Spoons
Around two years old, some children can handle utensils that have more functionality.. With child-friendly forks, the forks can have slightly sharper tines (but still curved or blunt to prevent injuries), letting them pick up firmer foods like steamed veggies.
- Handle Shape: Ergonomic designs with rubber non-slip grips can keep the fork from slipping out of their hand.
- Fork Tines: Rounded tines are still safer but can be a bit more defined than in the baby range.
- Spoon Bowl: A spoon that’s too deep can be frustrating, so keep it shallow but functional.
Material Considerations: from silicone to stainless steel
Let’s take a look at the various materials you’ll encounter when shopping for cutlery for your baby or toddler.
Silicone
Silicone is a common choice for baby spoons due to its softness, flexibility, and safety. It can handle heat without warping and is often BPA-free. The downside? Over time, silicone might show signs of wear or slight discoloration, especially if used with strongly colored foods like pasta sauces or berries.
Plastic (BPA-Free)
High-quality plastic utensils are lightweight, cost-effective, and can also be dishwasher-safe. Just be sure they’re labeled BPA-free. This is often the go-to for many toddler cutlery sets designed for children under three. The plastic is sturdy but not overly rigid, giving your child a gentle learning curve. PS All doddl utensils are BPA and phthalates free.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel cutlery is a classic choice—durable, easy to clean, and built to last. Many parents transition to stainless steel as their toddler gains confidence in self-feeding, and choosing the right set can make all the difference.
doddl’s ergonomically designed cutlery with stainless steel ends is specifically crafted for little hands, featuring chunkier, no-slip handles that promote independence and coordination. With the right tools, mealtimes become easier and more enjoyable for both parents and toddlers.
Features to Look for in Toddler Cutlery
When shopping for baby toddler cutlery, consider:
- Size & Weight: Children should be able to maneuver the utensil easily from plate to mouth
- Handle Design: Short, wide, and contoured grips work wonders.
- Safety Elements: Blunted fork tines or soft edges reduce the risk of accidents.
- Dishwasher Safe: Let’s face it—parents have enough to do without hand-washing everything!
Top Recommendations for Each Age Group
Let’s look at the top choices for every age from babyhood to toddlerhood.
Baby Range (6 to 12 Months)
doddl baby cutlery is specifically designed for tiny hands and gentle gums, featuring soft and ergonomic handles. The spoon shape is perfect for purees or softer solids, and the fork is gentle enough to explore without harming little mouths.
Check out the full Which doddl cutlery set is right for my child? guide at the bottom of our homepage for a direct comparison!
Toddler Range (12 to 18 Months)
doddl toddler cutlery has been made for kids who are ready to tackle more complex foods. The handle design supports an improved grip, so newly independent children can scoop or spear with greater success.
Older Toddlers (18 to 36 Months)
The doddl toddler knife, fork, and spoon set is ideal as your child’s dexterity grows. The set with a toddler safe knife helps them learn safe cutting motions, with a rounded, blunt edge that won’t cause harm. Perfect for practicing on softer foods like bananas or boiled veggies.
Tips for Encouraging Self-Feeding
- Model the Behavior: Children love to imitate. Eat alongside them, showing how you hold your cutlery. Kids love to mimic mom and dad, so have fun with your little mini-me.
- Offer Finger Foods First: Let them pick up small bites with their fingers, then transition to a spoon or fork for bigger items. Remember to let things happen in their own time but offer ample encouragement along the way. Make sure utensils are always available to explore alongside each meal.
- Praise Effort, Not Just Outcome: Celebrate when they try—even if the spoon ends up on the floor. Encouragement fosters confidence.
- Keep It Fun: Some parents turn mealtime into a mini-game (e.g., “Can you poke that carrot with your fork?”). This transforms learning into fun playtime.
- Stay Patient and Empathetic: Spills and messes are part of the journey. A relaxed environment reduces frustration for both you and your child, so grab the towels and bib but always have fun!
FAQs
What Age Should a Toddler Use Cutlery?
There’s no hard-and-fast rule, but many toddlers start using forks and spoons between 12–18 months. By age two or three, they typically become more proficient, but it varies greatly by the child. We recommend introducing our safe baby cutlery from the very first stages of weaning.
What Are the Stages of Baby Cutlery?
We generally break them down as:
- 6–12 months: Baby spoons with soft tips, designed for early exploration and parent-led feeding.
- 12+ months: Ergonomic toddler cutlery with short, chunky handles, specially designed to support self-feeding and build confidence throughout the toddler years. These utensils gradually prepare little ones for the transition to adult cutlery while maintaining a safe, comfortable grip.
How to Teach a 1-Year-Old to Use Cutlery?
Start by letting them experiment with loading a spoon and letting them try to feed independently. Gradually encourage them to scoop soft foods like mashed potatoes or applesauce. Offer plenty of praise and be patient with spills.
Can 18-Month-Olds Typically Use Utensils?
Yes, many can! However, “typical” is broad—some children might be earlier or later. The key is offering them utensils designed for their motor skill level, ensuring they can effectively grasp and manipulate them.
Which doddl Cutlery Set Is Right for My Child?
At doddl, we usually recommend our baby cutlery from around six months to 1 year, then transition to our toddler cutlery from 12 months onward. Still, there’s wiggle room.
If your 11-month-old has the hand strength of a pro, they might handle a toddler spoon just fine. If your 21-month-old has unique needs or is still learning, a softer baby spoon may be a more comfortable choice. Our ultimate goal is to give your child mealtime confidence and ensure you both enjoy the journey.
Empowering Self-Feeding Every Step of the Way
Selecting the best baby and toddler cutlery boils down to matching the right utensils to your child’s unique developmental stage—not just their age. By focusing on factors like handle size, spoon/fork shape, materials, and safety features, you’ll empower your child to practice self-feeding skills confidently.
Remember: each child’s journey will look a bit different, so you’ll need to pick the best utensils to for mealtime success. Embrace the messes, celebrate every spoonful that actually reaches your little one’s mouth, and know that you’re laying the foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating habits.
Ready to explore doddl’s range of baby and toddler cutlery? Visit our product page to discover the perfect set for your little one’s mealtime adventure!
