Our Favorite Products for Feeding Kids and Babies

The truth is, you won’t know what kind of bottle works for your baby until you actually meet your baby. And the fact that one particular brand or style worked for your first child doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for later kids. So set yourself up for success by having a few different options on hand, just in case — when you find the right one, then you can stock up. This box of five different sample bottles, curated by Babylist, also makes a sweet baby shower gift. ($29.99, Babylist)

We’ve done the newborn stage with and without a bottle washer machine, and we can emphatically say that the machine makes life much, much easier. We like this one that can wash, sterilize, and dry — or do any combination of the three. Not having to leave the bottles out on a drying rack is a huge plus. And while this thing is cool, it’s also pretty pricey, so a perfect addition to your registry. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

If you’re not nursing in a comfortable position, you’ll pay for it sooner or later, probably in the form of back pain. That’s why it’s so important to set up an area at home with everything you need for a successful feeding session. A nursing pillow like this one will prop your baby up so you’re not leaning over too much — we love Momcozy’s version because its adjustable waist strap makes it comfortable for lots of different body types. The cover can also be removed and washed easily. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

File this under simple but effective: this easy-to-clean, one-piece manual pump can collect milk from one breast while you’re nursing with the other. It’s made from silicone, and can be easily washed or sanitized between nursing sessions. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

Painful latch? We’ve absolutely been there. While there are a variety of products and creams that can help — and a good lactation consultant should be able to help you resolve the problem — these are handy for immediate relief, since they provide a physical barrier to protect your skin while still allowing your little one to feed directly from your breast. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

This chair’s silicone-coated straps are a game changer, and the two-layer tray also makes the post-meal wipe-down a breeze. Another plus: its minimalist, neutral design should fit right in with more “grown-up” decor. ($230, Mockingbird)

Just getting started on solids, and feel like you have no idea what you’re doing? Most new parents probably feel that way. We love online resources such as the Solid Starts app, but this book is also an excellent and trustworthy primer, helpfully written in question-and-answer format. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

No need to add to your laundry pile with fabric bibs. Keep one or two of these by the high chair for meal times — they have a pocket to catch stray pieces of food, and can be wiped down, hand-washed, or even washed in the dishwasher when mealtime’s over. ($19.99/two-pack, Target)

You can’t always control whether your little one’s bowl or plate will end up on the floor. But we like this plate and bowl that come attached to silicone mats, making them (at least in theory) harder to toss on the ground. They can go in the dishwasher, microwave, and oven, and are easy to take on the go for restaurant meals, too. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)($19.99, Amazon)

Infants drink from bottles, and bigger kids might like cups with straws — but what should you do in between? These tiny cups are perfect for babies who are just starting solids. They’re easy enough to grasp, unbreakable, and they go right in the dishwasher. An added plus: if your little one gets comfortable drinking from an open cup right away, you may be able to skip the straws altogether. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

Maybe the most important thing on this list: something to get all those stains out. This  kid-friendly stain remover is a cult favorite for a reason – it’s really, really good at making food, marker, paint, or other stains completely disappear. It’s water-based, with no perfumes or dyes, and this particular set comes with one little spray bottle (plus ten wipes) you can take on-the-go. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

When you’ve graduated from the baby plates, but don’t want to risk breaking your regular ones on the daily, these are a perfect in-between option. They have plenty of room for big kid portions, and are easy to clean by hand or throw in the dishwasher. At under a dollar each, they’re also extremely affordable. ($5/six-pack, Target)

If they’re done with purees or baby-led weaning and ready to use a fork, knife, and spoon, we like this set that’s kid-sized, but still strong and sharp enough to help them navigate all food textures. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

These stainless steel cups come with sleeves and straws made out of silicone. We especially like the fact that each straw has a “stopper” designed to keep it from falling out when the cup is inevitably dropped. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

If you’re packing food for school every day, chances are you’re in the market for a box that will keep things well-chilled until lunchtime. We love this Bentgo box with a built-in ice pack that you just need to throw in the freezer overnight. ($29.99, Amazon)

If the Bengto has one downside, it’s that it doesn’t fit huge portions – so for kids who want to pack a little more, we love these ice packs that will work with pretty much any lunchbox configuration. Choose from unicorn, fairy, dinosaur, rocket, and several other designs. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

A great gift for kids who are interested in making more of their own food, this book covers the basics and will give them some easily-mastered favorites to add to their repertoire. From scrambled eggs to banana bread and beyond, it’ll start them down the road of eventually being able to make you dinner. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)