In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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Ready for a baby plate? Check out our lineup of kid-friendly dishware. Our review ranks this year's top 8 baby and toddler plates. We researched the market before purchasing top contenders to hands-on test to determine the best. We assessed and compared each for qualities we consider essential, like eco-health, ease of cleaning, ease of use, and more. We are confident our review with expert recommendations will guide you to the perfect product that meets your needs.
If your toddler is ready for a dinnerware set, the Kiddobloom Dinnerware Set may meet your needs. Encouraging a tot's sense of independence is important to us, and we think this child-size set may be a handy mealtime accessory in that quest. The set includes a bowl, a cup (an item no other competitor offers), and a three-sectioned divided plate. Besides the plain stainless steel design, one with frog engravings is available - if you would like to add a dose of cuteness. All the pieces have smooth edges, and the material is inert stainless steel, which is non-toxic and doesn't impart flavor to the contents. Its durability will withstand the rage of toddlers, and we are confident this set will last the test of time.
Although dishwasher safe, the packaging lists some special care instructions. The manufacturer recommends removing the dinnerware after the last rinse cycle and allowing it to air dry to help avoid discoloration and corrosion. They further advise not to use detergents containing bleach or chlorine. This option does not offer suction or anti-skid material, so you may want to look elsewhere if you want this feature. The Kiddobloom's cost is an investment, but considering the durability and longevity of stainless steel, there is potential for it to become a family heirloom. Stainless steel is non-toxic, which we believe outweighs any minor drawbacks. If you feel the same, we highly recommend the Kiddobloom to you. But if you're shopping on a budget, the Bamboo Fox Suction Plate is an eco-friendly option at a fraction of the cost.
The Kiddobloom is designed with non-toxic and durable stainless steel that offers longevity.
On a budget? Check out the Munchkin Splash Plate & Bowl Set, which includes two BPA-free plastic plates and bowls. The set is durable, and the colors are vibrant, including a blue and green option for those who prefer them to pink/purple. We believe the plates and bowls are easy for little hands to carry. The plate has three sections with deep sides, and the bowl is deep, making it great for snacks, yogurt, and cereal. The set is microwavable and dishwasher safe, with anti-skid material on the bottom to reduce slipping. We appreciate that the plates and bowls are easily stackable for storage.
Despite being advertised as microwavable and dishwasher safe, we don't recommend doing either, as high heat is not great for plastic or food stored in plastic. We understand that handwashing is not always convenient, but the task is easy, and avoiding high heat is worth the effort. Users report that the plates and bowls easily scratch, so we recommend avoiding metal utensils to prolong product longevity or being willing to toss them when this occurs. Admittedly, plastic is not our favorite material, but it does come with a lower cost. We recommend this set to families who want to purchase multiple plates and bowls without breaking the bank and don't mind plastic. On the contrary, parents who want to reduce plastic use should consider the more durable and eco-healthy Kiddobloom Dinnerware Set.
The Munchkin Splash Plate and Bowl Set is the only product in the review that offers an anti-skid bottom.
Make mealtime fun with the Bamboo Fox Suction Plate. Bamboo is a renewable resource; therefore, this plate is eco-friendlier and healthier than some of the competition. This bamboo plate features impressive suction power, with a suction base that is removable when your child outgrows it. The plate comes in various shapes and suction base colors.
Bamboo becomes dry when exposed to water repeatedly, eventually leading to cracking and splitting. Therefore, this plate requires some maintenance to help prevent this from happening. An application of oil, like coconut oil, should be applied once a month to keep the material hydrated. Also, bamboo is less durable than some other materials and could break if dropped or misused. This plate is not microwavable or dishwasher safe and requires handwashing with warm soapy water. When handwashing the plate, you need to remove the silicone base to dry the parts thoroughly to avoid trapped moisture and mildew. We recommend this eco-friendly, healthy, non-toxic plate to those who aren't put off by minor maintenance. Another eco-friendly option we recommend checking out is the stainless steel Kiddobloom Dinnerware Set. It is durable, dishwasher-safe, and includes a few pieces.
Our link to this product might vary to other animal shapes from the same manufacturer. The plates are of the same material and are virtually identical other than their shape.
The Bamboo Fox Suction Plate has an easy-release tab on the suction base.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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The Bamboo Fox Suction Plate is not dishwasher safe and you will need to wash it by hand.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Why You Should Trust Us
Our testing included lots of use and washing to emulate everyday real-world use and compare performance. Little ones took turns using the plates, and we assessed plate design, durability, ease of cleaning, and more to determine ranking and award winners. We preferred plates that were difficult to break, used eco-healthy materials, were intriguing to little ones, and held enough food for a full dinner.
Led by a pediatrician and mother of two, the BabyGearLab team has been testing gear since 2013 and holds incredible experience and knowledge. Conducting our review is Molly Bradac, Senior Review Editor and nanny with over 14 years of experience. So, when it comes to mealtime and dishware for babies and toddlers, Molly is the perfect expert to help guide your search. We purchased each product in our review, and each contender experienced hands-on testing and a side-by-side comparison to evaluate performance.
The Kiddiebites Flexible Plate is soft and pliable.
The Bamboo Fox Suction Plate has a removable suction base.
Analysis and Test Results
Our lineup includes a range of plates with varying qualities. Therefore, evaluating each contender across key metrics, such as eco-health, usability, and ease of cleaning, is important.
Value
Depending on the plate's material, a product's cost will vary. We consider the Munchkin Splash Plate & Bowl Set to be a budget-friendly set among the competition. It includes plates and bowls, which sport anti-skid material to reduce the dishware from sliding around. If your budget is not limited, we encourage selecting products that use healthier materials, such as stainless steel or bamboo, like the Kiddobloom Dinnerware Set. This dishwasher-safe option offers outstanding durability and longevity, making it worth the splurge. The value is in the long-term use you get with this set.
Our review includes products of varying materials, including plastic, silicone, bamboo, and stainless steel.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Eco-Health
Plates come in various materials, and each one holds pros and cons. To score eco-health, we assessed a product's material, the material's projected lifespan, and where the product is manufactured. We value manufacturers who make a conscious effort to create products with less impact on the environment and carry fewer health concerns. Products that fit this profile rank higher.
The Kiddobloom Dinnerware Set is an environmental and health-conscious winner among the competition. Stainless steel is one of the healthiest materials, an essential quality when dealing with developing bodies, and it offers impressive durability and longevity. It will likely be of service beyond your child's needs and perhaps a family heirloom to pass on. With landfills engorged with plastic that will never be recycled or degraded, we think stainless steel is worthy of consideration. Of course, one downside of this material is that it is not microwavable. However, we don't recommend microwaving silicone or plastic, either. So, this drawback isn't as significant as it may seem at first.
The Kiddobloom is the only contender in our review that offers a plate, bowl, as well as a cup, making this option attractive to those who seek a dishware set.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Considering plastic degradation over time and the potential chance of chemicals leaching into food, we are not big fans of plastic. Plastic doesn't compare to stainless steel, which shows in our test results. The First Essentials by NUK Tri-Suction and Munchkin Splash & Bowl Set are plastic contenders that rank low. Our investigation and evaluation show that these products do not have any significant nods to environmental friendliness. We believe this material is less likely to provide durability and longevity than other contenders, such as stainless steel. A shorter lifespan increases your chances of purchasing additional plates in the future, causing waste and expense. With that said, the Re-Play Divided Plate is another plastic contender that ranks slightly higher. Re-Play uses recycled milk jugs to produce products, giving new life to plastic that would otherwise end up in a landfill; therefore, a slight increase in its score reflects this eco-friendly effort.
Since you'll be washing the plate after each use, select one that works for your needs.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Cleaning
We are big fans of convenience, and there is no doubt that a dishwasher saves time. However, not all products are dishwasher safe. We believe you should hand wash plastic as the dishwasher's high temperatures can break down plastic and potentially increase the chances of leaching chemicals into foods. Other factors that influence the scoring in this metric include the product's susceptibility to staining and if it requires ongoing maintenance.
The Kiddobloom Dinnerware Set wins a gold medal in this metric. Stainless steel is dishwasher safe, making the cleaning task easy-peasy. Keep in mind that the manufacturer does advise some special care instructions, such as using non-bleach and chlorine-free solutions and removing the set from the dishwasher after the final rinse cycle to air dry. Of course, you'll not always be available for this step, but we think the product's dishwasher compatibility overrides this drawback.
The ezpz Mini Mat has a happy-face design and is the only all-in-one product in our review.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
On the flip side, the silicone plates in our lineup rank the lowest, and these contenders include the Bumkins Silicone Grip Dish], Kiddiebites Flexible Plate, and ezpz Mini Mat. A common complaint among users is that a soapy taste can develop on the silicone plate over time. Some manufacturers say oil residue from dish detergents, such as those with anti-bacterial agents, oils, or moisturizers, may leave a soapy taste. Others say phosphate-free soap is to blame. Although we did not experience this issue while testing, we believe there's potential for silicone to require extra attention and cleaning care. In contrast, our lineup's plastic and stainless steel contenders don't necessitate any notable ongoing maintenance, which is why they scored higher. Nonetheless, if you select a silicone plate, we recommend seeing what the manufacturer suggests for soap.
Silicone, as seen on the Bumkins, is flexible and shatterproof.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
To score this metric, we focused on essential qualities, like the plate's durability and whether or not it offers suction or anti-skid material, giving bonus points to contenders with outstanding, removable suction.
Among the competition, the Bamboo Fox Suction Plate and Kiddobloom Dinnerware Set rank high. The Bamboo plate sports impressive suction. Of course, no suction will not stop a determined child from lifting a plate to toss onto the floor, but a good suction may deter or give you a few extra seconds to react to your tot's decision to explore cause and effect. Keep in mind that the table's surface plays a significant role in a product's suction performance, and you'll likely experience better results with a smooth, non-porous surface. The Kiddobloom holds a superior spot, mainly due to its strong durability, which others can't match.
The suction on the First Essentials by NUK is minimal and not the strongest.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The First Essentials by NUK Tri-Suction is the lowest-scoring product in this metric. The plate feels low-quality, thin, and flimsy, which doesn't scream durability. Also, its suction power is weak, leaving us unimpressed.
Places to Sit
Depending on your space and needs, consider one of the best high chairs or a top-ranked booster seat to have a designated sitting space for your baby's mealtime. It can often help to have a designated eating spot for little ones that is fun and easy to clean.
The Re-Play Divided Plate is made from FDA approved recycled milk jugs.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
Mealtime is an opportunity for children to develop and strengthen self-feeding skills. Of course, each child will progress at different rates and ages, but providing the right supplies for exploration is job one. Whether your little one is beginning to explore food or you have an experienced toddler, we are confident that our review and recommendations will help you find a plate that will satisfy your needs and budget.
