Mealtime development

Shop by development stage - the right tools for right now

Every child develops at their own pace. doddl is designed for where your child is today not where the box says they should be. Find your stage and shop what's right for right now and will help your child move on with confidence.

- the right tools for right now

Find your stage

Every child develops differently - that's why we focus on stage, as well as age. Stage 1 (6-12 months): Your baby is just starting out and exploring food and mealtimes. Stage 2 (12-18 months): Your toddlers desire for independence is growing and they need the right tools to support them. Stage 3 (18 months - 5+ years): Your child's ability and confidence is growing, and they want to do it all themselves. The right tools can make that happen faster, with much less stress and mess.

You need Stage 1 products. For a 6 month old starting solid foods, the Stage 1 range includes the baby spoon and fork with case, 2-in-1 suction bowl and 2-in-1 plate. The Mealtime Development Box includes all of these plus the Stage 2 and 3 products and will take your baby from first foods to confident independent eating.

When your baby has developed some hand-eye co-ordination, they're able to consistently move food from the bowl to their mouth and are eating more substantial meals, you're ready for Stage 2 doddl.

This typically happens between 12 and 18 months, but every child develops at their own pace.

When your toddler is 18+ months and has mastered eating with a spoon and a fork. They may also show an interest in chopping their own food or getting more involved with you in the kitchen. With the doddl knife, you can simply show them how and then watch them learn this new skill.

The doddl journey

The right tool at the right stage changes everything

Baby in a high chair eating with a doddl 
spoon and showing avocados on a plate.
6 to 12 months
Where mealtimes begin
12 to 18 months
Building confidence
18m–3 years+
Independence unlocked

Before the first spoonful

Preparing for mealtimes

At doddl we've spent over 10 years studying how children's fine motor-skills develop so when you think your baby is ready to start eating, explore Stage 1.

  • Oral motor exploration and sensory exposure
  • Building hand-to-mouth coordination
  • Preparing for self-feeding instincts
  • Laying foundations before first foods

First foods, first wins

Where mealtimes begin

This stage is all about exploring. Embrace the food on your baby's face and the floor; doddl stage 1 products are designed for tiny hands that are just discovering what mealtimes are all about. You'll know when to introduce cutlery when your baby is:

  • Sitting in a highchair with gentle support
  • Reaching and grasping objects consistently
  • Has a growing appetite
  • Has started weaning

Developing control, one bite at a time

Building confidence

Your toddlers desire for independence is growing and their hands are making their biggest development leap. The right tools will make that transition happen faster — and with a lot less mess and stress. doddl stage 2 products are designed for when your toddler is showing these signs:

  • Eating more substantial meals
  • Attempting to scoop and stab food
  • Shows no interest in self-feeding with cutlery
  • Getting frustrated if you try and help!

Independence unlocked

Watch me do it!

By now your toddler is ready to use a full cutlery set. doddl Stage 3 is designed for the growing independence that comes with age — mealtimes on their terms.

  • Using a fork and spoon successfully
  • Interest in chopping their own food
  • Eager to get involved in the kitchen
  • Wanting to do everything 'by myself'

All Stage 1 products

Trusted by professionals

Recommended by occupational therapists

doddl isn't just popular with parents — it's the cutlery occupational therapists reach for first. Designed with OT input, tested in clinical settings, trusted in over 500 nurseries.

Charlotte Stirling-Reed — The Baby & Child Nutritionist
★★★★★
I've been absolutely loving using the doddl cutlery set with my family. It's really helped my daughter to hone her skills around self-feeding with a spoon and fork.

Charlotte Stirling-Reed

The Baby & Child Nutritionist

Learn more about Charlotte's work here
Stacey Zimmels — Paediatric Feeding & Swallowing Specialist
★★★★★
My son loved eating at the family table with his doddl cutlery — he was participating in our family mealtimes before he was walking!

Stacey Zimmels

Paediatric Feeding & Swallowing Specialist

Learn more about Stacey's work here
Colleen Sarrazin — Pediatric Feeding Therapist & Speech-Language Pathologist

Colleen Sarrazin M.S. CCC-SLP

Pediatric Feeding Therapist & Speech-Language Pathologist

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