Starting solids is one of the most exciting milestones in your baby's first year - but if you've spent any time online, you've probably come away feeling like you need an entire new kitchen.
Special bowls. Fancy spoons. Five different food makers. Twenty bibs. A gadget for every vegetable imaginable.
The truth?
You don't need 74 new products to successfully start feeding your baby.
As two moms who've been through it ourselves, here's what we actually found useful - and what we'd recommend to any parent getting ready for this exciting stage.
1. A High Chair (Trust Us!)
Could you technically feed your baby without a high chair?
Sure.
Should you?
We wouldn't recommend it. 😂
A good high chair gives your baby a safe, supported place to eat while making mealtimes much more manageable.
Without one, you'll quickly discover that:
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The couch gets dirty.
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You get dirty.
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Your baby gets dirty.
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Somehow... the dog gets dirty too.
Look for a high chair with:
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Good head and back support
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An adjustable footrest if possible
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Easy-to-clean surfaces
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A secure harness
It'll be one of the most-used pieces of baby gear in your home.
Here's our favourite + the one we actually own --> High Chair link
2. A Baby Steamer & Blender
If you're planning to make homemade purées, an all-in-one steamer and blender can save a surprising amount of time.
Simply:
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Add your fruits or vegetables.
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Steam.
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Blend.
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Serve.
No extra pots. No transferring food between appliances. Just simple meal prep.
Even if you plan on baby-led weaning, it's still handy for foods like applesauce, mashed vegetables, soups, or smoothies.
We bought one of the generic brands on Amazon. They work great
3. Ice Cube Trays (The Ultimate Meal Prep Hack)
This might be our favourite starting solids tip.
Instead of making tiny portions every day, prepare a larger batch of purée and freeze it in ice cube trays.
Once frozen, pop the cubes into a freezer bag and simply thaw a few portions whenever you need them.
Future you will be very grateful.
4. Bibs... More Than You Think You'll Need
Starting solids is basically just putting food on a baby and seeing where it ends up.
Spoiler alert: very little of it ends up where you intended.
Whether you choose silicone bibs with catch pockets or full-coverage smocks, having several on hand makes life much easier.
Your laundry pile will thank you. And, don't tell anyone, but we have some being released sooon!
5. Finally, Mealtime Essentials That Can Handle the Chaos
This is where we'd recommend investing in quality over quantity.
You don't need dozens of bowls or multiple sets of plates.
You simply need:
When choosing feeding products, look for materials that are:
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Durable
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Easy to clean
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Dishwasher safe
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Comfortable for little hands
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Designed to withstand being dropped (or thrown!) countless times
That's exactly why we created BRAI + CO.
Our mealtime essentials combine food-grade stainless steel with silicone to create products that are built for real family life.
They're independently third-party tested for BPA, phthalates, lead, and cadmium, easy to clean, incredibly durable, and designed to grow alongside your little eater.
Because let's be honest...
Toddlers are not gentle with dinnerware.
Two Things We'd Recommend Above Everything Else
1. Take an Infant CPR & Choking Course
If there's one recommendation we'd make above every product on this list, it's this.
Learning how to respond in an emergency can make starting solids feel so much less intimidating.
We also recommend having age-appropriate allergy medication on hand before introducing common allergens, and always following your healthcare provider's guidance.
Confidence is one of the best things you can bring to the table.
2. Download the Solid Starts App
We absolutely loved using the Solid Starts app while introducing foods.
Whether you're doing:
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Baby-led weaning
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Purées
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Or a combination of both
It's an incredibly helpful resource for learning:
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How to prepare foods safely
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Appropriate serving sizes
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Age recommendations
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Common allergens
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Nutritional information
It quickly became one of our most-used parenting apps.
You Really Don't Need Every Baby Feeding Gadget
Social media can make it feel like you need every trendy feeding product before your baby takes their first bite.
But in reality, getting started is much simpler than that.
All you really need is:
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A safe place for your baby to sit.
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A way to prepare and store food.
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A few durable mealtime essentials.
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The confidence to know what to do if something unexpected happens.
Everything else?
You'll figure it out as you go.
We all did. 🤍
This article shares our personal experiences as moms and is intended for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always follow current recommendations from your healthcare provider and qualified first-aid professionals when introducing solid foods and responding to choking or allergic reactions.