Disclaimer: Hello, I thought I would write some posts about products I like and use in therapy. IN FULL DISCLOSURE– I have links here as an amazon affiliate which give me a very small amount (usually a few cents) if you purchase from amazon through my blog. This helps me fund this blog which I am committed to keeping free and accessible. I have an amazon store here but they no longer allow pictures of the products so you will see the same products and links there but no pics! Thank you for considering this as way to support my blog. I will have this disclaimer in yellow at the top of the product posts so if this is not of interest, please skip over this post! Therapists- if I missed a spoon you like please send me an email and I will add to the list (feedingnewsletter@gmail.com).
Small Maroon spoons:
The maroon spoon- This is a common therapy spoon. There are a few reasons I like this spoon- the small flat bowl allows for easier clearance of puree with the lips. It’s firm which allows me to feed with a little pressure on the tongue helping to provide stability and reduce a suckle pattern. I also like this spoon to use for lateral placement as a pre- chewing activity. This is the small size which I use more. There is a larger size available (below) which I use sometimes.
Large Maroon Spoon
This is the larger maroon spoon. I would use this when a child is ready for a larger bite of puree or mashed foods for midline placement. I realize sometimes caregivers will stay with the smaller spoons contributing to a longer meal time. I only use this if the child can accept the spoon into their mouth. Also nice and firm which allows for pressure on the tongue which can improve stability.
Num Num Baby Grabber Spoon:
These are great spoons for little hands beginning to self feed.The puree will stick to the spoon and hopefully some will make it to the mouth. Great for exploration of purees! I often recommend these for children to hold while caregiver is also feeding with an infant spoon. There other brands of these which are great as well (I have 2 different types linked here)
Grabease Baby Feeding Self Feeding Baby Utensils Baby Fork and Spoon
These spoons are great for children beginning to self feed, the barrier prevents the child from putting the spoon or fork to far back in the mouth. The handle is easy to hold. There other brands of these which are great as well.
SMALL Textured Spoons for Feeding Therapy (3 Pack)
I like to use these spoons for children who are having trouble moving up in texture due to gagging or oral sensitivity. You can feed smooth puree but the textured underside of the spoon will expose the child to texture. They come in small and large, I prefer the small which is what I have posted here.
Special Supplies Duo Spoon Oral Motor Therapy Tools, 3 Pack, Textured Stimulation and Sensory Input Treatment for Babies, Toddlers or Kids
This is also a great spoon designed by Marsha Dunn Klein, this spoon is great to expose the child to textures on both ends of the spoon. Soft and flexible, can be wonderful to exose a child to more sensory input.
E-Z Spoon Firm
This is Debra Beckman’s spoon- it is a small thin flat spoon, I love this spoon for lateral placement of puree as a pre-chewing exercise. I also like to use this for children just learning to use a spoon. The thin flat design can encourage tongue grooving when used with placement midline on tongue. I have used this with infants and young children with midline placement and in some cases have seen the child begin sucking due to the ability to improving midline grooving.
Take and Toss Spoon
If you are looking for a an inexpensive spoon, we use a lot of the take and toss spoons in our clinic. Also has a nice small flat bowl and sometimes I even feed off of the handle if I want a narrow utensil for midline placement. I also can feed with lateral placement with the handle.
Rehabilitation Advantage Lip Closure Spoon with Raised Back Wall
I don’t always have this spoon available but have used it successfully to improve lip closure. The site says the back wall of the spoon cues the child to close their lips. I always felt that that the width of the spoon helped to encourage lips closure. Also firm allowing improved stability.
Vibrating spoon: ARK’s Z-Vibe® Travel Kit with Spoons (Grey, with Case)
This is the Z-vibe sensory kit thatprovides vibration to improve oral awareness and provide tactile cues. There are a variety of tips including a spoon tip. I do not use these often in my practice but a lot of therapists do and I have seen children really respond to the spoon tip with vibration. This is an expensive kit and I would talk with your feeding therapist before purchasing to make sure it is the right product for your child.
TalkTools Itsy Tiny Silicone Spoons – Twin Pack Soft Silicone Self-Feeding Training Spoons for Kids & Toddlers, Anti-Choking Flange Guard and Non-Slip Handle
Talktools makes some wonderful products for children learning to feed. This is their version off a beginner spoon with small bowl allowing for the right size bite, easy grip, choke guard, and texture. Comes in other colors.
ezpz Tiny Spoon (2 Pack in Blue) – 100% Silicone Baby Spoon for Baby Led Weaning + Purees – 6 months +
EZPZ also makes some wonderful products for children learning to feed. This is there tiny spoon- designed by a feeding specialist. It’s small size allows for eay grip and small safe bite size.
Nuby Dipeez 2 in 1 Silicone Spoons/Dipper, 2pk, Blue/Green
Another interesting spoon with all kinds of texture, good grip, and mouth guard. Advertised as a teething spoon due to soft texture.
Such a nice summary! Thank you!