How to Use a Baby Dining Set: Plates, Bibs and Lunch Pots
By Bumbles & Boo | Published: 2026-11-04
Category: How-to Guides
A step-by-step guide to using a divided silicone plate, bib and spoon set, and 500 ml insulated lunch pot from first foods through packed meals, with practical checkpoints for each stage.
Quick answer
Set up the plate first, add the bib and spoon only when your baby is seated and calm, then move to the insulated lunch pot once meals leave the house. Check the suction base, bib fit and lid seal before every use.
Why the order of the set matters more than the products themselves
A baby dining set works best when each piece has a clear job. The divided plate keeps textures apart so your baby can choose what to try first. The bib and spoon set handles the mess and the self-feeding attempt. The lunch pot takes a portion of that same meal out of the house without turning it into a leaky bag.
The common mistake is introducing all three at once. Start with the plate at home, add the bib and spoon when your baby reaches for food, and only introduce the lunch pot when you are already confident about portion size and texture. That sequence also tells you which piece your baby actually needs next, rather than buying a full set on day one.
When a divided plate helps and when it gets in the way
Dividers are useful for babies who dislike foods touching or who want to pick one texture at a time. They are less useful for messy, saucy meals that are meant to mix, and some babies simply push food across the dividers instead of eating it. If that happens, serve one compartment at a time rather than abandoning the plate.
Suction only works on smooth, non-porous surfaces. On a textured or cloth-covered table, the plate will slide no matter how firmly you press it. Check the surface before you blame the plate, and keep the suction base clean of oil and crumbs so it can grip.
Step-by-step: using the plate, bib and spoon, then the lunch pot
- 1. Check the plate surface and suction before adding food: Press the suction base onto a smooth, clean highchair tray or table and lift the plate edge gently to test the seal. If it lifts easily, wipe the surface and the base dry and try again. Common mistake: adding food first, then discovering the plate slides. A plate that passes the lift test before food goes in is less likely to end up on the floor.
- 2. Fill each compartment with one texture: Put a small portion of a familiar food in one compartment, a new food in another, and a third texture or dip in the last. Keep portions small so the plate does not look overwhelming. Common mistake: mixing everything together, which removes the reason to use a divided plate. Leave one compartment empty if your baby is easily overwhelmed; an empty section is still a valid choice.
- 3. Fit the bib and place the spoon within reach: Fasten the bandana bib so the front sits flat against the chest and the neckline is snug but not tight. Lay the spoon beside the plate, not in your baby's hand. Common mistake: putting the spoon in the mouth before your baby has shown interest, which can turn feeding into a struggle. Let your baby pick up the spoon; a 14 cm spoon is short enough for early grips.
- 4. Introduce the lunch pot only when meals leave the house: Fill the 500 ml pot with a portion your child already eats at home, close the screw-top lid firmly, and pack it upright. Check the lid seal before it goes into a bag. Common mistake: using the pot for a baby under 3 years, because the manufacturer recommends it for ages 3 and over. Test the lid with a gentle shake over the sink before trusting it in a bag.
- 5. Clean each piece according to its material: Wash the silicone plate and the bibs after each use; the plate is dishwasher safe on the top rack, and the bib fronts are cotton so they need normal washing. Wipe the lunch pot lid and body clean and dry fully before storing. Common mistake: leaving the pot closed while still damp, which traps moisture and odour. Dry the lunch pot fully with the lid off before storing it.
Product facts for this set
- Baby Feeding Silicone Plate with Dividers - Mr Lion: Three compartments and a suction base on a 100% food-grade silicone plate measuring 22 cm across including the mane. The compartments let you offer three small portions without mixing, and the suction base keeps the plate in place on smooth highchair trays.
Baby Feeding Silicone Plate with Dividers - Mr Lion - Pink Baby Bib & Spoon Feeding Set: Includes two bandana bibs measuring 18 x 18 cm and one wood and rubber spoon measuring 14 cm. Two bibs mean one can be in the wash while the other is in use, and the short spoon suits early self-feeding grips.
Pink Baby Bib & Spoon Feeding Set - Insulated Lunch Pot For School or Out and About 500ml - Mr. Lion: 500 ml insulated stainless steel pot with a polypropylene lid and a wide opening, recommended for ages 3 years and over. The wide opening makes filling and cleaning easier, but the age recommendation means this pot is for older children, not babies starting first foods.
