Divided vs. Open Plates, Bamboo vs. Silicone vs. Stainless Steel, Sippy vs. Straw Cups: The Mealtime Decision Guide

The leap from bottle-only to solids opens up a whole new aisle of decisions: divided plates or open ones? A sippy, a straw cup, an open cup, or all three? Bamboo, silicone, or stainless steel? Mealtime gear turns out to have just as many choices as the stroller did, so let's make sense of them before you hit "add to registry." 

In this article, we'll help you work through some of the key decisions when it comes to mealtime with baby. 

TLDR

Divided plates keep foods separate (great for picky eaters and saucy meals); open plates encourage sensory exploration. For materials, bamboo is eco-friendly but needs hand care, silicone is flexible and dishwasher-friendly, and stainless steel is the most durable but can't go in the microwave. For cups, the open cup teaches real drinking skills but is messiest, the sippy cup is the easy on-the-go option, and the straw cup builds the lip and tongue control that bridges the two. Most families end up registering for all three. 

Table of Contents

• Divided vs. Open Plates?
• Bamboo vs. Silicone vs. Stainless Steel?
• Sippy Cup vs. Straw Cup vs. Open Cup?
  

Divided vs. Open Plates?

Making the decision of divide plates vs open plates depends on your feeding philosophy, your child's preferences, and the meals themselves. Divided plates are like a type-A organized parent's dream. You can put a protein in one section, a veggie in another, and the carb in the other. Like ticking three boxes!

The benefits of a divided plate are that if foods have sauces, or different textures or temperatures, they're not all blended together. It also helps you really think about what a balanced meal looks like. Some kids also don't like foods touching, so it's the perfect solution if your little one falls into that camp. 

As for the open plates, it's like a blank slate. These plates inspire exploration and independence, as babies mix temperatures, textures, and tastes, giving them loads of sensory engagement. 

Either way you go, look for a model with a stable suction base. 

Bamboo vs. Silicone vs. Stainless Steel?

You also want to think about registering for your baby's plates, and that means you want to consider materials. Bamboo, stainless steel, and silicone are three common materials for your baby's plates and bowls. 

A few things to consider when choosing your baby's plates: your child's age and stage, how easy the material is to clean, and whether you'd prefer sustainable materials over longer-lasting ones. 

Bamboo bowls and plates are eco-friendly, lightweight, sturdy, and naturally antimicrobial. However, they need to be conditioned periodically with food-safe oil to keep the bamboo from drying out. 

Food grade silicone is another very popular material for baby plates and bowls. These are soft and flexible, and often feature suction bases. Some silicone tableware is both dishwasher and microwave safe as well. 

Stainless steel may not be soft and flexible like silicone but it's very durable and retains temperature for warm or cool meals. These are not microwave-safe but can be recycled when you're done. 

Sippy Cup vs. Straw Cup vs. Open Cup?

When it comes to liquids, you're going to register for a cup: but which? The sippy, straw, and open cups all have different sweet spots. The general thinking is that the open cup is a must and the first they should try (as it will be the type of cup that goes the distance). Open cups teach sipping, pacing, and cup control. These of course can be messy and wouldn't be a first choice if you're on the go. But with a splat mat in place, the open cup is ideal at the dinner table.

The go-to for on-the-go use is the sippy cup. These have a valve that prevents spills but basically makes sipping their drink too easy - not challenging their mouth or coordination skills. This is best for the car or stroller. Straw cups are the ideal choice as your baby learns lip seal and tongue control. So long as you keep the cup together (and upright), you shouldn't have too much of a mess. 

Babesta's Take

We think you should register for all three: two each of open cups, sippy cups, and straw cups. This way you'll have the right cup depending on the occasion: whether you're taking a stroll (sippy), sitting at the dinner table (open) or need one at school and while on playdates (straw). 

With Babesta, we don't want you to lose your cool at mealtime. Babesta has your back!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register for more than one type of plate or cup?

For cups, yes: most families end up using all three (sippy for on the go, open for the table, straw in between), since each builds a different skill or solves a different logistics problem. For plates, one good set in your preferred style is usually enough to start; you can add the other style later once you see your baby's preference.

At what age should we move from sippy/straw cups to an open cup?

Most guidance points to introducing the open cup first, around 6 months when solids start, since it's the skill they'll use for life- sippy and straw cups are more about convenience in the meantime, not a required developmental step. There's no hard "graduation cutoff; plenty of families keep a sippy in the bag past toddlerhood for the car or stroller. 

Is bamboo dinnerware actually safe to put in a baby's mouth?

Genuine solid bamboo is safe, but worth knowing: a lot of "bamboo" baby plates on the market are actually bamboo-fiber melamine composite, not solid wood - and melamine can leach chemicals into food when heated above roughly 160 degrees Fahrenheit. That's exactly why true bamboo products are hand-wash only with no microwave use. If a bamboo plate claims to be dishwasher or microwave safe, that's usually a sign it's a composite rather than solid wood. Worth checking the material specs on anything labeled bamboo before it goes in a hot dishwasher or the microwave. 

How many plates, bowls, and cups should actually go on the registry? 

A reasonable starting point is 2-3 plates, 2-3 bowls, and at least one of each cup type, since mealtime gear gets used multiple times a day and needs to survive the inevitable floor-throw. You can always reorder once you know which material and style your baby actually tolerates. 

Can suction plates go in the dishwasher (and do they work?)

Most silicone suction plates are dishwasher-safe but it's worth checking the specific product rather than assuming. As for whether the suction actually works: it needs a smooth, flat, non-porous surface (a textured or wood table can defeat it) and it holds up far better against a determined toddler than it does against a baby who hasn't yet learned to pull straight up instead of sideways.