From the time you introduce your baby to that first taste of solid food, both of you will benefit from baby-friendly feeding supplies.

You'll want a sturdy, stable, comfy place for your baby to sit that's at a convenient height for you. To start out, that might be a bouncy seat or even a car seat. Once your baby can sit up independently, though, a highchair at the table is your best bet. Your baby will be able to participate in family meals, and you'll be able to eat your own meal and feed him or her at the same time. It'll also be easier to clean up after your baby chows down.

Beyond seating arrangements, you'll want to check out what's available in utensils, bibs, mats, bowls and cups, baby-food makers, warmers, and coolers.

What to look for when buying

Small spoons: A plastic-coated spoon is easiest on tender gums. Temperature-safe spoons that change color when food is too hot to serve your baby can also be helpful. Disposable infant spoons made of PVC-free plastic are handy when you're in transit and don't want to lose (or keep track of) a regular baby spoon. You'll see ergonomically designed baby utensils too, but you can pass on those at first – they're really designed to help babies who can feed themselves rather than being spoon-fed by you.

Easy-on, easy-off, easy-clean bibs: You'll probably be tempted to get one or two adorable bibs, to match a certain outfit or for special occasions. For the most part, though, opt for function over fashion. Think big, washable, stain-resistant, and simple to put on and take off (choose Velcro or snaps over cute ribbon ties). Drip-catching pockets are very practical, too. You'll want to stow a few bibs in your diaper bag, although a burp cloth or napkin will work in a pinch.

Mats: Splat mats are aptly named pieces of plastic sheeting you put under the highchair to protect the floor or carpet from food and juice. You can find splat-mats in bright patterns, and just the right size to accommodate the typical highchair. If you're looking for an inexpensive substitute, old sheets, tablecloths, or beach towels work fine. If you want something a little less conspicuous, you can use a transparent shower curtain or wide vinyl runner (available at most hardware stores). You can also buy placemats to put on your baby's highchair, a picnic table, or anywhere you want a clean, fun surface for your baby's place setting. Some can easily be wiped clean, and others are disposable. (The disposable mats work as an on-the-go, disposable changing pad, too.)

Plastic bowls: Once your baby starts feeding him- or herself, you'll want plastic bowls that your baby can call his or her own and pitch across the kitchen. Some parents swear by bowls with suction cups that attach the bowl to the highchair tray – but others say babies quickly outgrow the need for (and effectiveness of) this feature. You'll also find bowl-utensil sets in bright colors and fun shapes.

Sippy cups: When your baby is ready to try drinking from a cup, usually somewhere between 6 months and a year, no-spill sippy cups are a lifesaver. Most use a valve device that keeps the liquid contained even after your baby flings the cup against a wall. Unfortunately, the valve is often so effective that your baby has to work hard to get the drink out. Many parents have to patiently experiment with different types of sippy cups – often over a period of weeks – before their baby gets the hang of it. You can ease your baby's transition from bottle to sippy cup by getting a cup with a soft, pliable, nipple-like spout.

Food mills, grinders, and processors: A low-tech hand-turned mill can be tucked into your diaper bag, and some even come with a handy carrying case. Wherever you go, you can make food for your baby by simply removing the metal turning mechanism, putting a bit of food into the grinder, replacing the mechanism, and turning it. Just a few twists and you've got baby food.

If you're making all your own baby food, it might be worth the extra investment to buy an electric grinder or processor that purees food at the touch of a button, or a baby food maker that can steam and puree food all in one simple gadget.

One innovative device is a little mesh bag – called a fresh food feeder – that works like a strainer. You open the bag, put fresh food inside, and snap it shut. Your baby chews the tiny pieces of food that are strained through the bag, leaving potential choking hazards like peels and seeds inside the bag.

Baby food warmers: These handy electric gadgets heat baby bottles and jars of food quickly and without overheating them. They have thermostatic control and are small enough to take along on trips. You can also buy coolers especially made to keep baby food safe during travel. Any cooler will do, but these are appropriately sized for baby food jars and bottles.

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