Tiny Collection for Tiny Eaters
By Dawn Winkelmann, M.S, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist & Feeding Specialist for ezpz
Babies are more engaged and independent at mealtime when provided with the right feeding tools. When they have some control over mealtime, they are more willing to try new textures and sit in the highchair longer. These feeding achievements allow for happier (and less stressful) mealtime, giving baby more opportunities to obtain the following feeding milestones.
Tiny Spoon: Learning to self-feed is an important developmental milestone, and the ezpz Tiny Spoon is designed to help baby learn how to feed independently. That’s right, the Tiny Spoon is a baby-led spoon, which means baby is the one controlling who is placing the spoon in their mouth, how the spoon is going into their mouth, when the spoon is going in their mouth, what food (on the spoon) is going into their mouth and where the spoon is going in their mouth (on the tongue, in the cheeks or, to our dismay, in their hair!). The ezpz Tiny Spoon has unique features that make it the most functional, developmentally appropriate infant spoon for babies. *The Tiny Spoon is also a part of the First Foods Set and the Developmental Utensil Set.
- Hands to Mouth While Holding Object/Spoon: By 6 months of age babies should be able to bring their hands to their mouth while holding an object or spoon. This is a perfectly timed feeding milestone, because the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends starting solids at 6 months of age! The Tiny Spoon’s short, fat, round silicone handle makes grasping and movements to the mouth more effective.
- Dipping the Spoon: Around 9 months of age, babies will start to dip a spoon into foods. The Tiny Spoon has sensory bumps on the spoon bowl to help hold purees, making dipping more effective and fun for baby.
Tiny Cup: Learning to drink out of an open cup is an important developmental milestone, and the ezpz Tiny Cup helps baby acquire this important skill. Open cup drinking supports healthy oral and speech development, aids with teething, helps baby learn to have a strong swallow and can decrease tooth decay. It is also an important tool to help baby slowly transition from bottle to a cup around 12 months of age. *The Tiny Cup is also a part of the First Foods Set and the Developmental Cup Set.
- Aided Cup Drinking: At 6 months of age babies should be able to drink from an open cup (held by an adult). The interior angle of the Tiny Cup helps babies meet this milestone, as it provides an even flow for a safe drinking position.
- Teething + Cup Drinking: Around 6 months of age babies may start teething. Drinking breastmilk, formula or puree foods from an open cup can help ease their discomfort. The soft silicone material of the Tiny Cup makes it safe for teething babies to relieve pressure on the rim and drink from it (as compared to the metal or hard plastic cups).
Tiny Bowl: The ezpz Tiny Bowl is designed to fit on the tiniest of highchair trays, including the Stokke Tripp Trapp and Boon Flair trays. The bowl is perfect for first foods, such as purees, yogurt and baby cereal. It also supports the baby-led weaning method of feeding, including finger foods for the palmer grasp + the true pincer grasp. *The Tiny Bowl is also a part of the First Foods Set.
- True Pincer Grasp: Around 10 months of age, babies should be able to use a true pincer grasp. Baby can practice their "pincer grasp" (using tips of index finger + thumb) with the Tiny Bowl because they can easily see into the bowl in order to grab, hold or dip foods. In addition, the Tiny Bowl suctions to the surface, making pincer grasp practice ezpz!
Tiny Placemat: Independent finger feeding is a developmental milestone that is often frustrating for babies since foods can be slippery. The Tiny Placemat can help develop finger feeding skills, as it is a non-slip, silicone placemat that fits on most highchair trays (including the Ikea Antilop).
- Finger Feeding: At 6 months of age babies should be able to grab and finger-feed soft foods. The stable base of the Tiny Placemat promotes this baby-led self-feeding skill.
We hope that you notice more independent eating at mealtime when using our Tiny Line with your baby. Be sure to download our FREE printable to track your little one’s milestones with these products! #ezpzfun
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Happy Feeding!
Dawn Winkelmann (M.S, CCC-SLP) is ezpz’s Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Feeding Specialist. She has 28 years of experience teaching parents and medical professionals how to start babies on solids safely and encourage toddlers to overcome picky eating tendencies. In addition, “Ms. Dawn” is the designer of our award-winning feeding products.