We have the suction cup bowls and they seem to work ok. I don't usually give DD the whole bowl of something though because she will dump it in the floor to the dogs. Lol
I have tried the Gerber suction plate (with rim)... I think the suction works well, but DD insists on pulling it off. I gave up It's less of a mess if I just put the food directly on the tray of her highchair.
We never got the suction plates. At the beginning he would flip his plate or toss it. But after a few swift Nos he doesn't do it anymore. Now when he lifts up his plate we know he's done, they're not necessary, IMO.
Re: suction or no? self-feeding practice