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Weaning Essentials UK: Baby & Toddler Feeding Must-Haves (Real Mum of 2)
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items As a mum of 2 and Early Years Teacher (with an interest in Montessori), I’ve tried a lot of weaning products. These are the ones we actually use daily and that genuinely make mealtimes easier. I’ve only included items that are practical, durable and ...
Sections
5
Feeding essentials
Mess control
☀️Out & about / Holidays ✈️
🍎 Better Alternatives for Babies
Highchairs
Feeding essentials
These are the feeding essentials we use every day. I’ve tried a mix of options and these are the ones that have actually worked best – practical, easy to clean and make mealtimes a bit less stressful.
We use this daily – it actually stays in place and made a big difference when starting weaning. Easy to clean & dishwasher friendly…which is a must. From a Montessori perspective, I love how it shows where each item goes.
Montessori Toddler Silicone Placemat, Non-Slip, Grey
We’ve used this daily and it’s one of the few cups that actually worked for us. Valve free which is what is recommended but the weighted straw stops it from spilling! Easy for little hands to hold and great for encouraging independent drinking. You c...
Tum Tum Straw Cup (10% off with code LAGOLIFE)
These are the best bibs we used – we ended up with loads and just threw them all in the wash together. They actually cover clothes properly and stay in place, which made a big difference during weaning.
One of the few bibs I found that little ones ...
BIBaDO Long Sleeve Baby Bibs 6-36 Months
These are great for weaning and teething – you can fill them with puree, yoghurt or even breast milk and freeze. Perfect for introducing new flavours in a different way and really helpful when little ones have sore gums.
Easy for babies to hold the...
Nuby Popsicles Molds 4 Handle Multicolor
Such an underrated essential – these are great for warming up food in the microwave or making smaller portions. We used them loads for weaning and still use them now for breakfast and snacks.
The triangular shape makes it much easier to get the las...
Tommee Tippee Explora Easy Scoop Feeding Bowls x4
A great, more affordable alternative to the NumNum GOOtensils. These are ideal as a first utensil when babies are just starting to explore self-feeding.
Easy to hold with a chunky handle and soft enough for little mouths, they make it much easier f...
Vicloon 4Pcs Silicone Baby Fork & Spoon Set
Mess control
Anything that helps keep the mess under control is a win. These are the bits I rely on daily to make clean-up quicker and keep things manageable, especially during those early weaning stages.
This was a lifesaver during weaning – ideal for quick clean-ups after messy meals. Perfect for under the highchair when food inevitably ends up everywhere.
So much easier than getting the big mop out every time and makes the whole clean-up process ...
Flash Speedmop Kit, Mop + 12 Lemon Pads
These are much more gentle on hands and faces than regular wipes, which makes a big difference during messy weaning stages. We used these loads for quick clean-ups without worrying about skin irritation.
They’re reusable, so you can just throw them...
Bambino Mio, cloth baby wipes, 10 pack, cloud
Such a game changer during messy weaning stages. It attaches to the highchair and catches all the food that would normally end up on the floor, which saves a lot of cleaning (and your back).
Really helpful for reducing mess and food waste, especial...
CATCHY Food Catcher for IKEA Antilop High Chair
☀️Out & about / Holidays ✈️
These are the items I always have with me when we’re out. They make feeding on the go much easier and save me from having to rely on less ideal options when we’re not at home.
We used this on every holiday and it was so handy for meals on the go. Perfect for taking snacks from breakfast or adding bits of our meals so baby could feed themselves later.
The lid and bag make it easy to pack in the changing bag, either ready ...
EasyMat Mini Silicone Baby Suction Plate Grey
I always keep one of these in the changing bag – they’re so handy for travel. Perfect for storing dirty bibs or clothes that need washing without everything else getting messy.
Lightweight, easy to pack and ideal for keeping things separate when yo...
Wet Dry Bag - Waterproof, Washable, Double Zippers Organizer
I always keep this in the changing bag – so handy for meals out. The case keeps the cutlery clean, which is ideal when you don’t want to rely on what’s available.
Lightweight, easy to pack and great for encouraging independent feeding when you’re o...
TUMTUM Toddler Cutlery Sets (10% off with code LAGOLIFE)
🍎 Better Alternatives for Babies
As a mum of 2, I’m always looking for simple ways to make meals a bit healthier without making life harder. These are the swaps I actually use day-to-day to reduce salt and sugar while still keeping food practical and family-friendly.
A really good alternative to soy sauce when cooking for little ones. It has a similar flavour but is much lower in salt, so it’s a better option during weaning.
We used this in stir fries and family meals to add flavour without needing regular soy ...
Coconut Aminos instead of Soya Sauce
A really useful swap when cooking for little ones. Regular stock cubes can be very high in salt, so these are a much better option during weaning.
They still add flavour to things like soups, stews and pasta dishes without needing to add salt, whic...
Zero Salt Stock Cubes Alternative
A really useful swap when cooking for little ones. Most stock cubes are surprisingly high in salt, so these are a much better option during weaning.
They still add plenty of flavour to things like soups, stews and pasta dishes, which makes it easie...
Very Low Salt Stock Cubes
A great option if you want to make custard without added sugar or dairy.
Perfect for weaning desserts or adding to things like fruit, porridge or puddings without relying on pre-made sugary options. You can control exactly what goes into it dependi...
No Sugar Dairy Free Custard Powder
Highchairs
This one allows for a more upright position, which is really important when starting solids. The footrest is quite basic and may need adjusting (e.g. adding a small box) to give proper support, but it can work well once set up.
You can also use it ...
Bebeconfort Meely 2-in-1 Baby High Chair
A really solid mid-range option, especially if you like the Tripp Trapp style but want something more affordable. The seat and footrest are adjustable, which helps support a more upright position and proper foot support as your child grows.
One thi...
Hauck Alpha+ Wooden Highchair w/ Tray & Harness
One of the best budget options and really popular for a reason. Simple, lightweight and very easy to clean, which makes it great for everyday use.
To get the most out of it, you’ll need to add a footrest, as it doesn’t come with one. This makes a b...
ANTILOP Highchair with tray - white/white
If you’re using the IKEA Antilop, I’d say a footrest is essential. It allows baby to have proper support through their feet, which helps them sit more upright and stable when eating.
This one is adjustable so you can move it as they grow, and it’s ...
RECKNEY Adjustable Footrest for IKEA Antilop Highchair
A really handy option if you don’t want a full highchair. It allows for a nice upright position (no recline), which is great when starting solids, and can be used on a chair or taken out and about.
It folds down small so it’s ideal for travel, eati...
Chicco pocket snack portable highchair