For babies and young toddlers, eating with utensils and drinking from a cup are incredibly complex skills. And for parents, figuring out the best gear to use can be equally complex! This class will help you set your baby up for self-feeding success by telling you when, why, and how to introduce straw cups, open cups, utensils, plates & bowls. 

Vanessa Thornton, RD, CSP, is a registered dietitian with a master’s in nutrition from Boston University. She is a Board Certified Specialist in Pediatrics and earned a certificate of training in obesity in pediatrics and adults. Vanessa completed her dietetic internship at a teaching hospital affiliated with Harvard Medical School and Tufts University School of Medicine. She is a parent of two.

Vanessa Thornton, RD, CSP

Did you know that by introducing your baby to cups, you are not only giving them important self-feeding skills, but actually laying the groundwork for future language development? This section dives into all things “cup,” including which cups to buy (and which to avoid), the benefits of both straw cups & open cups, and how to successfully teach your baby to use them. 

Introducing Cups: When & How to Teach Your Baby to Use Straw & Open Cups

Though your baby’s favorite feeding tool will often be their hands, it’s important to incorporate utensils into their routine. This section will teach you when & how to do this, whether you are feeding with purees or following baby-led weaning. Our expert will walk you through what utensils to buy, how to help baby learn to use them, and how to set expectations when it comes to self-feeding.

Introducing Utensils: When & How to Introduce Spoons & Forks to Your Baby

Though baby plates & bowls can make for cute social media photos, there are actually benefits to delaying their introduction. This section, we will walk through why this is the case, when to begin introduction, and what plates & bowls to choose when the time comes. 

Introducing Plates & Bowls: When & How to Introduce Them to Your Baby or Toddler