We currently have 3 one-year-olds and 2 three-year-olds between Paige and I, and are in the trenches of toddler feeding. We know it is NOT an easy stage In the kitchen. I have really needed to streamline some of the kitchen prep to make my life easier and to keep the babies from yelling at me while I cut up their grapes. We also know that you can get to a point of just WAY TOO MANY TOYS and are looking for alternatives for Christmas gifts.
Here are just a few products that have really lightened our kitchen load and helped us to feel safe about what we are feeding our toddlers!
EZPZ Plates, Bowls, and Spoons
I am a huge silicone fan. I rewash these between every single meal and just use the same ones over and over again. They are pricey for kids' dishes, but the easy and quick cleaning makes them worth it.
Stainless Steel Kids Cutlery
Once your toddlers outgrow their smaller utensils, you can graduate them to these amazing stainless steel utensils. My 3 and 6 year old use these and I have really loved them.
Munchkin Weight Straw Cups
Our FAVORITE first straw cups. No leaking and the babies can get a drink from any angle.
EZPZ Tiny Cup and Mini Cup Straw System
I love how these are weighted at the bottom to help keep the cups upright. There are still spills at most meal times, but it is a great training system!
Olababy Puree Steamer
Genius invention. Steam any veggie and serve right to baby/toddler.
OXO Grape Cutter
Sharp and quick! Quarter those grapes! I also use this for Cherry Tomatoes.
Chef'n Hand-Held Strawberry Slicester
My babies have been eating slices of strawberries from this tool since about 9 months. Thank you to my mom for introducing me! It also makes beautifully sliced strawberries for dessert toppings! And I have even used it to slice up turkey meatballs! It's amazing.
Plastic, Water Proof High Chairs (Ikea)
Any high chair that I can regularly HOSE OFF IN THE BACKYARD is ideal for me.
Splat Mats
If you are on a budget, just lay down beach towels under the high chair! Makes floor clean up so much easier. I needed something huge to go under two highchairs so I went with these mats. There is no magic solution to the floor mess, but they stay put and definitely shorten the time I spend on my hands and needs scrubbing. Or you could just get a puppy...
Silicone Bibs
I also love silicone bibs more than any other alternative. We currently love these from Target.
What products have you used to make baby led weaning and toddler feeding easier in your house? Please share in the comments below!