Starting solids is such an exciting milestone, but it can also feel a little overwhelming.
Once you start looking for feeding products, there seems to be an endless list of things you are “supposed” to buy — high chairs, suction bowls, plates, spoons, bibs, cups, food makers, storage containers and so much more.
But honestly, you don't need everything before your baby's first meal.
I found that having a few practical essentials made the beginning of our solid-food journey much easier. And as my baby grew and became more independent with food, I added things only when we actually needed them.
Here are the feeding essentials I would recommend for starting solids.
1. A Safe and Comfortable High Chair
A good high chair is probably one of the first things I would recommend getting before starting solids.
Look for one that provides good support, is stable and, most importantly, is easy to clean. Babies can be surprisingly messy eaters, so having surfaces that are easy to wipe down can make your life much easier.
A comfortable feeding setup also helps make mealtimes a regular part of your baby's routine.
Our pick: Joie Mimzy Recline High Chair
The high chair we used during our solid-food journey.
2. A Baby Bowl or Suction Plate
Once babies start self-feeding, bowls have a way of ending up on the floor! A suction bowl can help keep mealtimes a little less chaotic, especially when your baby is learning to reach, grab and explore food independently.
I prefer simple, sturdy bowls that are easy to wash and comfortable for little hands to use.
As your baby moves towards self-feeding, you can later add a divided plate or a larger feeding set if you find it useful.
Our pick: BEABA Silicone Suction Bowl
3. A Baby-Friendly Spoon
The right spoon can make those first few months of feeding much easier. For younger babies, look for a soft, gentle tip that is comfortable on sensitive gums and a handle that is easy for little hands to hold.
As babies become more independent, a spoon can also become part of their self-feeding journey.
Our pick: Beaba 1st Stage Silicone Spoon
4. Bibs
Bibs are one of those things you'll use almost every day once your baby starts exploring food.
A good silicone bib with a food pocket can save a lot of cleaning when your baby starts self-feeding.
Our pick: R for Rabbit Safari Silicone Bib
5. A Cup for Learning to Drink
Introducing a cup is another small but important part of the solid-food journey. I like the idea of gradually giving babies opportunities to practise drinking independently rather than waiting until they are much older.
An open cup is useful for practising real drinking skills at home, while a spill-resistant spout cup can be much more practical when you're travelling.
For home: ezpz Tiny Cup
For travelling: Philips Avent Classic Soft Spout Cup
6. A Small Food Storage Set for Travel
I don't think you need a whole collection of food-storage containers just because your baby has started solids. But having a few good containers can be genuinely useful when you're travelling with homemade baby food or snacks.
For travel, I look for containers that are leakproof, easy to carry, stack neatly and don't take up unnecessary space in the diaper bag.
Our pick: Beaba Food Storage Set
7. A Simple Steamer
Steaming became one of the easiest ways for me to prepare baby food. It works particularly well for vegetables and fruits because it softens them without requiring complicated preparation.
A simple steamer basket is enough for many everyday foods, and you don't necessarily need a separate baby-food appliance.
Our pick: Walfos Stainless Steel Steamer Basket
8. A Small Masher
You don't need fancy equipment to prepare baby food. A simple masher can be surprisingly useful when you want to soften and mash cooked vegetables, fruits or other foods quickly.
As your baby progresses from smooth textures to thicker and lumpier foods, being able to easily adjust the texture can be helpful.
What I use: A simple baby-friendly food masher
9. A Small Pressure Cooker
A small pressure cooker can be particularly useful for preparing dal, beans and other foods that take longer to cook.
It also means you don't need to cook a large quantity every time. For me, having a small cooker dedicated to everyday portions makes preparing baby meals feel much more manageable.
What I use: A small pressure cooker suitable for everyday cooking
My Simple Solid-Starting Setup
Looking back, I don't think you need a kitchen full of baby products to start solids.
A comfortable high chair, a few feeding essentials, something for preparing simple foods and a couple of useful travel items are enough to get started.
The goal isn't to make baby food complicated. It's to make everyday feeding a little easier for both you and your baby.