Find the best suction bowls for babies and toddlers with info on durability, how well they suction, materials including bamboo and silicone, and the best ones with storage lids.
Best Suction Bowls
I remember feeling like I would never be able to give my daughter a bowl or plate since she was forever flipping them over (or putting them on her head). But by removing the option of play with a bowl that suctions to the table, I had a whole new world of food options to serve her.
There are a lot of suction bowls on the market and a lot that don’t secure very well. And while I can’t guarantee that any are 100% baby and toddler proof—especially since I know that the kids can be very determined when they want to be!—these are the best ones that we’ve tested.
When preparing lunch ahead for our sitter to give to my two younger kids in recent years, I actually used a few of these products almost daily. (I love the ones that double as storage containers!) Let’s get into my picks.
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AEGI Silicone Suction Bowl with Lid
This is my absolute favorite pick. I’ve been using two of these consistently for a year and they look the same as when they were brand new. I love the sage green color, that the bowls are soft to the touch, are safe for the microwave and dishwasher, and that they suction well. About $16 for bowl and lid.
Bumkins Baby First Feeding Set Silicone Suction Bowl with Lid
This set is one we’ve used for over a year and we’ve gotten a lot of use out of it! It comes with a spoon that’s a great one for a baby to start practicing self-feeding too. The silicone is 100% food safe, BPA-free, PVC-free, phthalate-free and lead-free. It’s also safe to use in the freezer, fridge, microwave, and in the top rack of the dishwasher. It also comes in a handful of pretty colors! Under $15 for a bowl, lid, and silicone spoon.
Avanchy Bamboo Stay Put Suction Bowl
If you’re looking for a bamboo option, which is a safe choice too, this is a great option. It comes with one of my favorite baby spoons and has a silicone suction base, which detaches for easy cleaning. Under $20 for bowl and spoon set.
Munchkin Suction Bowls, 3 Pack
If you want to stock up on a few suction bowls at an affordable price, this set is a great price! The suction base is solid, but it’s also easy for us parents to get the bowl off of the table or highchair too. These are made from BPA-free plastic and the package says they are microwave and top rack dishwasher safe (though I try to keep anything plastic out of high heat to be safe). Under $10 for a set of 3 bowls.
OXO Tot Stick & Stay Suction Bowl
I love OXO’s sturdy and durable kitchen supplies, and their suction bowl has a great design meant to both stick to the table and also be hard to tip over. This is made of BPA-free plastic and also comes in a wide plate option that has high sides which could be a nice choice too. Under $10 each.
Frequently Asked Questions
In my personal opinion and after 9 years of feeding kids, I vote for a small silicone baby bowl with a lid. This will enable you to warm foods up and store them right in the bowl. You can also use these for years to come, so it’s a purchase that you can get a lot of use out of.
Yes, silicone bowls are made of a safe material for babies. They are heat-safe and do not pose the same risks as some plastics when put under higher temperatures or into the dishwasher.
It depends on the material. I would not microwave plastic or bamboo bowls, but silicone is generally safe for the microwave.
I do like their regular mat, which you can use for liquidy foods since it has sides, but I don’t find the bowl to be the most versatile or long lasting item.
Best Tips for Using Suction Bowls
- Remember that no suction bowl is 100% toddler-proof, so be consistent with reinforcing the “we don’t play with our bowl” mealtime rule. (At least that’s the rule in our house!)
- If one of my kids plays with their bowl, I take that as a sign that they either need my attention or are done their meal.
- If you. have trouble getting a bowl off of a surface (it happens!), slide it to the edge rather than pulling it straight up.
- Sometimes a tiny little bit of water under the base of the bowl can help it suction more securely.
- For a suction bowl with the most versatility, I’d opt for one that’s heat-safe and has a lid.
- I regularly use our suction bowls to pack leftovers for lunch or just as lunch containers. I store them in the fridge with their lids, them serve or warm them up as needed. (I sometimes even use them for myself!)
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Do you have a favorite one that I missed? I’d love to hear about it, so please comment below!
This post was first published January 2021.