🥣 Comparison: Silicone vs Plastic vs Bamboo Baby Dishes – Which One Is Best?

Jennyfer Galarneau
Apr 30
2 min read

When it's time to introduce solid foods, choosing the right tableware for your baby is an important decision. With so many options—plastic, bamboo, or silicone—it can be tough to know what’s safest, most practical, and best for your little one. Here's a helpful side-by-side comparison to guide your choice.

1. Food Safety: What Every Parent Should Know

Plastic: Some plastic dishes may still contain controversial chemicals (like BPA). Even "BPA-free" products can release harmful particles when exposed to heat.
Bamboo: Though it looks natural, bamboo dishes are often blended with melamine, which can release chemicals when heated.
Food-grade silicone: 100% non-toxic, safe for babies, and heat-resistant. It doesn’t leach any harmful substances.

✅ Winner: Silicone, thanks to its proven safety—even in the microwave, dishwasher, and freezer.

2. Eco-Friendliness and Durability

Plastic: Prone to scratches, short lifespan, and harmful for the environment.
Bamboo: Biodegradable if pure, but often fragile and less durable over time.
Silicone: Long-lasting and recyclable in specialized facilities. While not biodegradable, it reduces waste over time by avoiding replacements.

✅ Winner: Silicone, for its long life and eco-conscious appeal.

3. Ease of Use for Busy Parents

Plastic: Lightweight, but can warp in the dishwasher or absorb smells.
Bamboo: Not microwave-safe, and often hand-wash only.
Silicone: Dishwasher- and microwave-safe, stain-resistant, and easy to clean.

✅ Winner: Silicone, no contest—convenient, practical, and stress-free.

4. Design and Baby-Friendly Features

Plastic: Basic design, usually lacks stability features.
Bamboo: Beautiful but may slide around on highchair trays.
Silicone: Soft, durable, and often equipped with suction cups to stay in place—perfect for little hands learning to eat independently.

✅ Winner: Silicone, for its functional, baby-friendly design.