There are few milestones quite as wildly entertaining—and undeniably messy—as starting your baby on solid foods.
You get to watch your baby’s expression as they figure out what to do with the avocado mush in their mouth, their eyes widen when they taste cold ice cream for the first time, and marvel at their intense concentration while trying to master the pincer grasp on a tiny piece of banana, and laugh as they attempt to navigate a spoon into their mouth (or eye... or ear).
As a parent, there is nothing more exciting than watching their palette develop as you introduce them to the world of food! I know I personally was shocked when my firstborn’s fav food was mashed beets!
Pro-parent tip: Steamed red beets will turn your kitchen, high chair, and baby’s outfit into a crime scene. Swap them for golden beets and save yourself the impossible cleanup.
But truth is: even with every expert tip in the world, starting solids is messy. But that mess isn't a failure—it's sensory play, skill building, and a necessary part of the fun. The secret to keeping your sanity isn't trying to avoid it, it's equipping yourself with the right tools to minimize laundry and prevent permanent stains.
Here are our top feeding essentials to make mealtime manageable, sustainable, and fun!
Feeding Essential #1: The BEST Bib for Babies Starting Solids
If you’ve ever used a bib you already know the design flaw: the pocket sits at the bottom, right where it gets squished and tucked away under the high chair tray. Result? Food lands everywhere except in the pocket.
So when designing our Esembly Baby Bib we went back to the drawing board to create the ultimate mess catcher!
What makes our bib design different?
The High Pocket
We moved the catch-all pocket way up high, just inches from your baby’s chin. It sits comfortably above the table line, perfectly positioned to catch falling food before it ever touches their clothes or the high chair tray.
Comfy Fit
We hear from parents all the time that their baby hates bibs and immediately yanks them off. Our bibs are cut and sized to fit as comfortably as their favorite soft t-shirt, so they actually stay on without tugging at the neck.
Sizing
Baby: Sized for eaters under 2 years old (up to ~35 lbs).
Toddler: Sized for big eaters 2+ years old (35 lbs+).
Diaper-Cover Durability
Our bibs are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles—the exact same soft, stretchy, waterproof fabric we use for our cloth diaper covers. If this material can contain a blowout and handle endless hot wash cycles, imagine how effortlessly it handles smashed avocado and spaghetti sauce!
Bonus: Best First Foods for Baby
Not sure what to put on the menu first? Simple, single-ingredient purees or soft finger foods are great places to start! Check out these delicious first-food ideas and recipes from our favorite feeding experts:
Feeding Essential #2: Reusable Bowl Caps for Leftovers
In the beginning, mealtime is mostly about sampling, smearing, and exploring textures. Babies rarely finish what’s in front of them.
Instead of scraping those untouched bites into the trash or pulling out single-use plastic wrap, just stretch an Esembly Bowl Cap over the dish and pop it straight into the fridge. Made from the same eco-friendly, machine-washable recycled fabric as our bibs, they keep food fresh for round two without creating extra waste.
Feeding Essential #3: On-the-Go Snack + Sammy Pouches
Once your baby discovers the joy of real food, they won't want to stop. Suddenly, you can't step out the door without a stash of snacks ready for emergency deployment at the park or a playdate.
Skip the disposable baggies! Our Snack + Sammy Pouches are waterproof, machine-washable, and designed to keep puffs, sliced fruit, and sandwiches secure. Just toss them in your diaper bag, snap them open when hunger strikes, and throw them in the laundry loop when you get home.
Healthy Snack Inspo for Little Eaters
6 to 12 Months: Soft steamed carrot sticks, cucumber spears, puff snacks, or banana slices.
Toddlers (12M+): Homemade oat bites, cheese cubes, diced berries, and freeze-dried veggies.
We love getting snack inspiration from Yummy Toddler Foods! Here's 25 ideas for packable snacks that are perfect to put in Snack + Sammies for on-the-go!
Feeding Essential #4: Safe-Sipping Silicone Straws
When introducing water at mealtime, traditional hard plastic spouts or straws can be tough on sensitive gums and baby teeth. Silicone straws are soft, flexible, and gentle on little mouths.
The biggest nightmare with reusable straws, though? Mystery gunk growing on the inside.
Our Esembly Sipper Set solves this with a genius zip-open design. You can fully open the straw length-wise to ensure it gets 100% clean—no dark, hidden corners required.
How to Clean Your Silicone Sipper Straws:
Unzip the straw along the side seal.
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Choose your method:
Option 1: Lay it flat on the top rack of your dishwasher.
Option 2: Wash by hand using warm, soapy water.
Allow it to dry completely before zipping back up for storage!
Feeding Essential #5: Paperless Towels & Non-Toxic Cleaners
When the meal ends, the real cleanup begins. Paper towels run out fast (and generate mountains of trash), while ordinary washcloths can be scratchy on delicate skin.
Enter Paperless Towels: soft, ultra-absorbent, super-durable cloth wipes that handle everything from sticky hands to high-chair trays.
Our Favorite Non-Toxic Cleanup Duo:
For Hands & Face
Esembly Wipe Up Wash. This foaming, no-rinse cleanser gently lifts food residue without drying out baby's sensitive skin. Just squirt onto a Paperless Towel and wipe away!
For Surfaces & High Chairs
Blueland Surface Spray or a simple DIY mix (1 cup water, 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar, and a tiny drop of Castile soap).
💡 Important Note: Diapering During the Solids Transition!
If you’re cloth diapering, starting solids marks a whole new chapter for laundry day! The transition from liquid-based diets to solid foods means baby’s poops will change, too. Don't worry—it's super easy to manage once you know the steps.
👉 Read our complete guide: How to Cloth Diaper When Baby Starts Solid Foods
Ready to Dig In?
Starting solids is a messy, beautiful milestone that you and your little one will love looking back on. You don't need a spotless kitchen to enjoy it—you just need gear that works as hard as you do.
If you grab only one feeding essential to kick off your journey, make it the NEW Esembly Baby & Toddler Bib. With its game-changing high pocket and ultra-comfy fit, it’s the hero product every baby (and laundry basket) deserves. Bon appétit!
Skin Care Heads-Up:
New foods equal new digestive acids. It’s extremely common for babies to develop mild redness or diaper rash as their bodies adjust to citrus, tomatoes, or new ingredients. Keep a jar of Esembly Rash Relief Cream right at your changing table to soothe and protect their skin instantly!
