“Feeding Therapist–Approved” Starting Solids Products
As a pediatric speech and feeding therapist, I’m often asked which products I actually recommend for starting solids.
Below you’ll find my go-to tools for baby-led weaning, spoon feeding, straw drinking, and safe texture progression — all products I use clinically or recommend to families daily.
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Self-Feeding Utensils
short, ergonomic handle
great for learning self-feeding
easy to load puree
Best for: 6 months+
silicone baby food/fruit teethers/feeders
can easily freeze puree, yogurt, breastmilk, etc.
great for encouraging munching and pushing the gag reflex back
easy to clean
Best for: 6 months+
Introducing Straw Cups to Babies
Olababy Silicone Training Cup with Straw Lid
Perfect for introducing the straw
Can easily squeeze to initiate
Able to take top off to use as open cup
Best for: 6-7 mo+
TalkTools Honey Bear Straw Cup with Handle
Trusted brand for feeding therapists
Handles encourage bilateral hand usage and independence
Easily squeeze to initate
Best for: 6-7 mo+
The First Years Squeeze and Sip Cup
Most affordable option
Easily squeeze to initiate
Unique valve controls the flow rate when learning
Easily throw in dish washer
Best for: 6-7 mo+
High Chair & Seating Support
Skip Hop Baby High Chair 4-in-1 Convertible High Chair
Pros:
More affordable option
Foot plate for trunk support
Grows with baby (turns into booster seat, etc.)
Cons
Foot plate is not adjustable
Not foldable
Abiie Beyond Junior Wooden High Chair
Pros:
Ensures kids’ hips and feet stay at 90-90 degrees for trunk support
Adjustable to grow with baby through toddler years
Easy to clean
Cons:
Not foldable
Takes up permanent space at the table
Cowiewie Natural Wooden High Chair
Pros:
Sturdy wooden construction
Adjustable seat positions
Easier posture alignment
Simple design that's easier to clean
Cons:
Not foldable
Takes up permanent space at the table
Fewer reclining features
Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair 2
Pros
Excellent ergonomic design
Highly adjustable
Long lifespan (can be used for years)
Minimalistic design
Cons
Expensive
Accessories often sold separately
Not foldable
Oral Motor & Sensory Tools
Nuby Sensory Silicone Tube Teethers
Easy for babies to hold
Encourages hand to mouth connection and developing a munching oral motor pattern
Improves oral sensory awareness to prevent texture aversion
Baby Teethers of Different Shapes
Different angles encourage tongue lateralization and moving the gag reflex back
Different textures support improving oral sensory awareness
ezpz Baby Led Weaning Food Cutters
Easy to use tool to cut solids into safe and age appropriate sizes if choosing to follow a more “Baby-Led Weaning” approach.
One tool for large pieces (6mo-9mo)
One tool for 1in pieces to practice using pincer grasp and self-feeding (9 mo+)
Want step-by-step guidance on introducing solids safely?