If you have a baby or toddler, you know how messy mealtime can get. You’ve probably seen your little one toss their plate or bowl on the floor, spill their food everywhere or flat-out refuse to eat what you’ve prepared. For those eventualities, you need a suction plate for baby - a plate that sticks to the table or high chair tray and prevents your child from throwing it around.
Suction plates are not only great for keeping the mess to a minimum, but also for helping your baby learn to self-feed and explore different foods. They come in various shapes, sizes, colours and designs, so you can find one that suits your baby’s personality and preferences.
What should you look for in a suction plate?
The most common materials for suction plates are silicone and bamboo. Silicone is soft, flexible, durable and easy to clean. It’s also hypoallergenic, non-toxic and resistant to bacteria and mould. Bamboo is a little more expensive but is natural, eco-friendly and biodegradable.
However, bamboo plates may require more care and maintenance than silicone ones, and they may not be as dishwasher or microwave-safe.
But the most important feature of a suction plate is, well, that suction base. It should be strong enough to hold the plate in place, but easy enough to remove when you want to. Some suction bases have a release tab or a lift corner that makes it easier to detach the plate.
Another feature to look for is the divided sections, which are useful for separating different foods and portions, and for encouraging your little one to try new things. Some plates have two or three sections, depending on your needs.
We've rounded up all of the best suction plates for babies below.
EasyTots EasyMat Mini Portable Silicone Baby Suction Plate
This clever product is both a plate and a placemat, with three compartments to hold different foods and four suction cups to stick to any flat surface. No more tipped-over bowls or messy tables!
The EasyMat Mini is made of BPA-free silicone, and it comes with a lid, a carry case and a protective cover. You can pre-fill it with food and take it anywhere with you, or use it in the microwave, dishwasher or even the oven. It’s perfect for baby-led weaning and self-feeding, and it has a cute happy face design that your baby will love.
Buy now £16.99, Amazon
Munchkin Suction Plate
This Munchkin Suction Plate is a great way to make mealtime more fun and less messy for you and your little one. Its clever design sticks to most surfaces and has deep sides for easy scooping and three sections to separate different foods. It also has a quick-release tab that allows you to remove it easily when you’re done. The plate is BPA-free, dishwasher safe and comes in various colours.
Buy now £5.99, Boots
Bimba Bambino Baby Weaning Set
If you’re looking for a sustainable and safe solution for your baby’s weaning needs, this Bimba Bambino Baby Weaning Set ticks all the boxes. This set includes a bamboo suction plate, bowl, two spoons and a silicone bib - all made from natural, non-toxic and BPA-free materials. The suction base keeps the plate and bowl in place while the silicone bib is waterproof, adjustable and has a crumb catcher. The spoons have soft tips that are gentle on your baby’s gums and mouth. Plus, the set comes in four cute colours: pink, blue, green and yellow.
Buy now £23.99, Amazon
SilverStar Baby Suction Plates 3X Pack
These SilverStar Baby Suction Plates are made of food-grade silicone, which is non-toxic, durable and easy to clean. They have four powerful suction cups on the bottom, which keep them firmly attached to any smooth surface, even for kids who do their very best to launch everything onto the carpet. For the extra-busy parents, these plates also come with lids, which are great for storing leftovers or preparing meals in advance. The plates are dishwasher and microwave-safe, and come in three bright colours that will appeal to your baby when mealtime approaches.
Buy now £10.99, Amazon
Moonkie Suction Plates for Babies & Toddlers
Mealtimes become significantly less stressful when you've got the right tools in place and these Moonkie Suction Plates for Babies & Toddlers might just be the solution to any mealtime-based problems. They have a divided design that helps you portion out different foods, and a lid that keeps the leftovers fresh. Its extra solid suction base sticks to any smooth surface and prevents your toddler from throwing, tipping or tossing the plate, no matter how hard they try. The design of these suction plates also promotes self-feeding.
Buy now £13.88, Amazon
PandaEar 3 Pack Baby Suction Plates for Weaning with Spoons
What's cuter than a baby figuring out how to eat by themselves for the first time? Doing so out of adorable, panda-inspired bowls. This three-pack of baby suction plates comes with everything you need for dinner time, including strong suction cups that prevent them from sliding or tipping over, soft, baby-friendly spoons and a durable yet easy-to-clean design. Made entirely from food-grade silicone that's non-toxic and dishwasher safe, these colourful bowls tick all the boxes for your next meal.
Buy now £9.95, Amazon
Munchkin Stay Put Suction Bowl
The Munchkin Stay Put Suction Bowl is a great choice for parents who want to encourage self-feeding and avoid spills and has regularly been praised for its quality, durability and convenience. The Munchkin Stay Put Suction Bowl is a set of three colourful bowls that have a strong suction base that sticks to any smooth surface, preventing the baby from tossing them around. bowls are also microwave and dishwasher-safe, making them easy to heat and clean. They come in different sizes and shapes, so you can use them for snacks, purees, cereals and more.
Buy now £10.99, John Lewis
Linda's Essentials Baby Suction Plate
This cute and colourful silicone plate has four divided compartments that help you serve a balanced diet and encourage self-feeding. Both dishwasher and microwave-safe for easy cleaning and heating, it's made from a 100 per cent non-toxic and BPA-free material and comes in three sweet designs: bear, owl and crab. With its strong suction base, it brings together everything you need to streamline meal times without too much mess heading straight for the floor.
Buy now £8.87, Amazon
Bamboo Baby Suction Bowl and Spoon
The silicone base of this Bamboo Baby set fuses to surfaces, allowing your child to explore new food without flipping it over. The spoon has been ergonomically designed to fit little fingers perfectly, while they're - literally - getting to grips with exploring food. The bowl is also cool to the touch, so baby won’t burn their fingers if they reach for it. It comes with a matching bamboo spoon that's gentle on your baby’s gums. The bowl-spoon duo is easy to clean, BPA-free and eco-friendly.
Buy now £16.93, Bamboo Baby
Omnia Baby Suction Bowl & Spoon Set
This super cute Omnia Baby Suction Bowl & Spoon Set comes with a matching full silicone spoon. This set has a strong suction base, so you can stick it to your baby’s highchair tray or table and prevent spills and accidents. It also has a matching spoon that has a soft tip to protect your baby’s gums and teeth.
The bowl and spoon come in six lovely pastel colours that will appeal to your little one, and they're both dishwasher and microwave-safe for easy cleaning and reheating. The best part? The bowl has a unique raised lip that helps your baby scoop up food with the spoon, making it ideal for baby-led weaning.
Buy now £13.90, Omnia Baby
Verdict
This EasyMat Mini Portable Silicone Baby Suction Plate by EasyTots was first seen on Dragon's Den and has risen to fame ever since. For a (relatively) effortless feeding experience, this suction plate ticks all the boxes.
