Starting solids is one of those milestones that feels equal parts exciting and overwhelming. Between the advice from well-meaning relatives, the Instagram reels, and the sheer volume of stuff marketed at new parents — it's hard to know what you actually need.
We've kept it simple. Here's the honest mealtime essentials checklist we wish someone had handed us, with a nod to a few trusted resources along the way: The Low Tox Project and Boob to Food both have great baby-led weaning guidance if you want to go deeper.
The Mealtime Essentials Checklist
✔ A good bib (the right kind matters)
Not all bibs are created equal. Silicone bibs look great in photos but many babies and toddlers resist them — the stiff neck and cold material can be uncomfortable, especially for sensory-sensitive little ones. A soft towel bib that moves with your baby and absorbs mess is often a much better fit for everyday use.
Our TerryTots™ Mealtime Towel Bibs are made from soft terry cotton, machine washable, and designed to stay on — even with a wriggly 7-month-old — and our Originals Mealtime Towel Bib will fit all the way up to 4 years old! For another non-silicone option, Jeanie Baby is also worth a look.
✔ Plates and bowls that don't tip
Suction bases are your best friend in the early months. A stainless steel option is worth the investment — it's non-toxic, doesn't absorb odours, and lasts well beyond the starting solids phase. The Low Tox Project has some good background on why going stainless over silicone can be worth it if you're minimising plastics in the kitchen.
✔ Baby-sized cutlery
Tiny hands need tiny tools. A first cutlery set should be lightweight, have a short handle for easy gripping, and rounded edges for safety. We love introducing a spoon from around 6 months — even if most of it ends up on the floor.
The Montessori Mates 3-Piece Cutlery Set is designed with baby-led weaning in mind: short, chunky handles and food-grade stainless steel.
✔ A splat mat or easy-clean floor covering
Optional but life-changing. Whether it's a silicone mat, a cheap shower curtain, or a dedicated splat mat — protecting the floor under the highchair will save your sanity.
✔ A highchair with a removable tray
You don't need the most expensive highchair on the market, but you do want one that's easy to wipe down and has a tray you can take to the sink. Fabric seats look lovely but are notoriously hard to clean.
✔ A small cup for water
From around 6 months, you can offer small sips of water with meals. An open cup or a 360° cup both work well — the goal is to build drinking skills alongside eating ones.
What You Don't Need (Yet)
Skip the elaborate food processors, the 47-piece weaning sets, and the colour-coded portion pots — at least to start. Some spoons, bowls, and some bibs will get you through the first few months just fine.
The Bundle That Covers the Basics
If you're looking for a simple starting point, our Mealtime Babe Bundle brings together the essentials in one place — bibs, cutlery, and tableware that work together from day one.
Starting solids doesn't have to be complicated. A few good tools, a lot of patience, and the understanding that most of it will end up on the floor — that's the real checklist.
Ready to get started? Shop our mealtime essentials and get everything you need in one place.