Today, we’re talking about spoons — baby spoons in particular — and how to know when it’s time to introduce one, what kind to choose depending on where your little one is in their eating journey, and what factors to consider when picking a spoon.

Why It Matters

Choosing the right feeding tools can support your baby’s ability to self-feed, foster independence, and help maintain their natural ability to listen to internal hunger and fullness cues. Plus, the right spoon can make mealtimes less frustrating — for both of you.

Signs Your Baby Might Be Ready for a Spoon

• You've already started solid feeding.
• Your baby is showing interest in feeding themselves (like grabbing for your spoon during meals).
• Your baby has had exposure to finger foods and using their hands to eat.
• You’re introducing foods that are easier eaten with a spoon (think yogurt or soup).

Quick Reminder:
There’s no one-size-fits-all moment when it comes to starting spoons. It depends on your child’s development and your family's goals.

A Free Resource to Help You Decide

If you want extra help figuring this out, grab my free Quick Guide to Toddler Spoons. 

Inside, there’s a simple 5-question quiz about your child's feeding skills and habits — your score will guide you toward the best utensil type. I've dropped these questions below so you can dive right in.

Question 1. Your daughter is:

1. < 12 months

2. 12-16 months

3. > 16 months

Question 2. Your son has already mastered dipping with pre-spoons (think NumNum spoons)?

1. Not yet
2. Most of the time 3. He’s a master!

Question 3. Your daughter wants to feed herself:

1. Not really.
2. She’s showing more interest.
3. ALL.THE.TIME.

Question 4. You’re comfortable with a little mess at mealtime:

1. I prefer a clean floor.
2. A little mess is okay.
3. Messes are okay, we have a dog.

Question 5. You would like to encourage your son to practice self-feeding:

1. It’s not super important to me.

2. Please!

Noted your answers? Add up the circled numbers and head to the next section to understand what they could mean for your little one's utensil needs.

Understanding the Quiz Results

• If your score was less than 8 ➔ Start with early feeder spoons.
• If you scored 8 or more ➔ You’re ready for next-level utensils.

Good News and Bad News

I do have some bad news ... but also some good news! And since I am a bad news first kind of person here it is:

Bad news:
There’s no single spoon that guarantees your baby will become a confident eater.

Good news:
There doesn’t need to be just one. Because there are so many. Different babies thrive with different tools — and experimenting to find the one that is right for your little one at this particular stage in her/his journey is part of the process.

Final Tips for Choosing and Using Baby Spoons

Here are my final tips for choosing a baby spoon - now and in the future! Whether you're still in the pre-spoon phase or ready to tackle a table knife, these tips can help you make sense of what's best for your family in the moment.

• Experiment.
  Try different types. If you want to test a Kizingo spoon, email me — I’ll send you one.
• Be patient.
  It will be slow, it will be messy — and that’s normal.
• Let needs change.
  As your baby's motor skills grow, their spoon needs will too. Different sizes and shapes will help them at different stages.
• Embrace the mess.
  It’s part of the learning. And honestly, it's part of the fun.
• Stay flexible.
  The “perfect spoon” today might not be the best one in a few months — and that’s exactly how it should be.