Silicone Weaning Sets: Beginner Guide UK

By Emma Clarke · Last updated 5 September 2026

You have decided your baby is ready for something other than milk and now every shop is telling you that you need a nine-piece silicone wonder-kit. You don't. What you need is a plate that stays put, a spoon that won't hurt gums, and a bowl you can actually clean. This guide explains what a silicone weaning set really includes, when to start, and three straightforward picks we compared on Amazon UK so you can start without drowning in gear.

What is actually in a silicone weaning set?

A silicone weaning set is just a small collection of tableware made from food-grade silicone instead of hard plastic or bamboo. Most beginner sets we assessed include four core items, and everything else is an extra.

Sectioned suction plate. The biggest draw for beginners. The base creates a light vacuum on a smooth high-chair tray so the plate does not slide when your baby swipes at it. It helps with early pincer-grip practice but it will not survive a determined yank - nothing does.

Small bowl with lid. Useful for porridge, stewed fruit or yogurt. Silicone bowls with a lid double as storage in the fridge, which saves you washing up an extra pot. The PandaEar Silicone Baby Feeding Set 9PCS includes a lidded bowl that parents on Amazon note stays sealed in a changing bag.

Soft-tip spoons and open cup. Silicone spoons are gentle on sore gums and small enough for a baby-led bite. An open training cup, often with two handles, lets babies practise sipping with less spillage than a fully open beaker.

The extras you can skip at first. Bibs with food catchers, fork-and-spoon sets, and mini snack pots appear in 9 and 10-piece kits like the Dazhtu 10-Piece Baby Weaning Set. They are handy if you will batch-cook and freeze, but you can add them later for a few pounds instead of paying for them now.

When should you start, according to the NHS?

NHS guidance is clear: start solid foods at around 6 months, alongside your baby's usual milk. That timing matters because tiny guts and kidneys need those months to mature, and milk still provides most calories until then.

Signs your baby may be ready include sitting up with support, holding their head steady, bringing objects to their mouth, and showing curiosity when you eat. Putting the tongue out or waking at night alone are not reliable signs. The NHS also advises not to start before 17 weeks (4 months) and to avoid added salt, sugar and honey in the first year.

If your baby was born prematurely or has a medical condition, check with your GP or health visitor before you begin. This article is not medical advice - it summarises the NHS position so you know where the official line sits. When in doubt, ask the professional who knows your baby.

5 steps to first solids with a silicone set

You do not need a week-long weaning course to get going. These five steps mirror what worked for us and what UK health visitors tend to suggest for a calm first fortnight.

1. Pick a calm window and a wipeable spot. Late morning often works because you are both awake and not overtired. Strip your baby to a vest, lay a splat mat, and stick that suction plate down firmly on a clean dry tray. Press the centre so the air releases - you'll feel it grip.

2. Start with one food at a time, once a day. Smooth carrot, broccoli florets, or plain porridge are classic first tastes. Offer a teaspoon-sized amount on the tip of the soft spoon and let your baby lead. If they turn away or purse their lips, stop. There is no rush and forcing it creates stress for both of you.

3. Let them explore the plate. Babies learn by touching and squishing before they swallow. A sectioned plate keeps peas away from puree so textures stay distinct. Expect more on the tray than in the mouth for the first few days - that's completely normal.

4. Introduce water in that open cup. From around 6 months you can offer sips of water with meals in a small open cup. Start with a tablespoon of water in the cup so it does not drench them when they tip it. The Nordella Home Baby Weaning Set 6-Piece includes a two-handled cup that Amazon reviewers say is easier for tiny hands to grip than a full-size beaker.

5. Clean, restock and repeat. Silicone cleans fast. Most sets are dishwasher safe and can be sterilised with boiling water if you want. Make a small batch, freeze in the silicone bowl with the lid on, and defrost a portion for the next day. Keep milk feeds the same - solids are extra, not a replacement, until around 12 months.

Our 3 picks for beginners compared

We looked at dozens of Amazon UK listings and narrowed to three sets that cover different budgets and include the core items above. None is perfect for everyone, so here's what each one offers based on specs and what Amazon purchasers flagged.

Best all-rounder: PandaEar Silicone Baby Feeding Set 9PCS. Nine pieces including suction plate, bowl with lid, cup, two spoons, fork, bib and two storage pots. Food-grade silicone, sectioned plate for separate tastes, and the lid actually clicks shut. It is the middle-priced option and suits parents who want one box that covers the first month. An Amazon reviewer noted the suction held well on an IKEA Antilop tray but needed a flat surface to stick.

Most complete on a budget: Dazhtu 10-Piece Baby Weaning Set. Ten pieces for roughly the same price as many six-piece kits, adding an extra bib and snack box. That is helpful if you batch-cook fruit purees and freeze them. The extra items mean you won't need to buy separate pots later, which saves faff if you are trying baby-led weaning a few days a week and spoon-feeding on others.

Smallest starter: Nordella Home Baby Weaning Set 6-Piece. Plate, bowl, cup, two spoons and a fork - nothing else. It is the simplest choice if you already own bibs or prefer to buy snack pots separately. Fewer pieces also means fewer things to wash when you are just learning what your baby will actually eat. It is typically the cheapest of the three outside sale periods.

All three are sold fulfilled via Amazon UK so returns are straightforward if the suction does not suit your high chair. Check the seller is still dispatching from the UK if delivery speed matters - listings can switch between Amazon and third-party fulfilment.

What you can skip when you are just starting out

Shops love to bundle. You do not need a silicone placemat as well as a suction plate - one grip is enough. You do not need four spoons when two will do, because you will be washing them after every meal anyway. And you do not need cutlery with metal tips for a six-month-old who cannot stab food yet.

What is worth spending a few extra pounds on instead is a high chair that is easy to wipe down and a small lidded pot for the fridge. If you already have those, a basic six-piece silicone set will carry you through the first weeks without cluttering the drawer. You can always add a bigger set if your baby loves weaning and you are cooking daily.

Quick safety reminders

Always stay with your baby at mealtimes and keep them upright in the high chair. Cut grapes and cherry tomatoes lengthways, avoid whole nuts before five years for choking reasons, and do not add salt or sugar. If your baby has allergies in the family or shows a reaction such as rash, vomiting or swelling, stop the food and seek medical advice promptly. For more detail on allergy introduction, the NHS allergy page is the right next step.

Products mentioned in this guide: PandaEar Silicone Baby Feeding Set 9PCS · Dazhtu 10-Piece Baby Weaning Set · Nordella Home Baby Weaning Set 6-Piece. We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices on Amazon UK can change.

Frequently asked questions

Heads up: we are not medical professionals. For personal feeding advice, talk to your health visitor or GP. Information on weaning ages in this guide reflects NHS guidance as of September 2026.