Mesh Feeder

linds852010 · July 2016

We tried the mesh feeder for the first time today. It was a hit but it was a MESS! Little dude had bananas all over. Surely we're not alone with the mess. What foods are you putting in yours? Are you using it only in the high chair?

JanuarysBaby1 · July 2016

I have tried watermelon and banana for my LO. She loved the watermelon! I'm curious to see what others have tried as well. So far we only tried it in her high chair.

kaym6 · July 2016

I've only used it in the high chair because he makes a HUGE mess. In the feeder he's had avocado, frozen breast milk cubes, and blackberries!

mestokes · July 2016

Watermelon and banana! We mainly use it in the highchair but sometimes I'll let him suck on something to cool off when we are sitting outside. He loves both!

l4rk · July 2016

Just a heads up that mesh feeders can cause dental issues. Every time you introduce food/juice into your mouth, it creates an acid attack, which wears down the enamel and can lead to tooth decay. Kids tend to spend more time sucking on a mesh feeder than they would eating or drinking, increasing the teeth's exposure to acid and thus decay. (Same issue as having access to juice all day, or even adults who drink lemon water 24/7.) Our local nurses actually said not to use them at all, but I'm more of the "all things in moderation" mentality. I'm just being the Debbie Downer of info in case it's something you Mamas hadn't given much thought to before.

kaym6 · July 2016

@l4rk so thy said not to use them at all due to the fact the food would be in their mouth longer than if they were just eating the food on its own because of their desire to suck on the mesh feeder?

Interesting! Definitely have never considered that. Makes sense if you think about it I guess. My pediatrician actually recommended them to us! She's clearly not a dentist! lol I'm also in the all things in moderation mindset. Thanks for the info!

cali1710 · July 2016

Does anyone use anything other then a mesh one? Ive heard what a pain it is to clean. For some reason I thought my friend used a plastic one that she would push up and the baby would suck on it that way.

kaym6 · July 2016

@cali1710 I haven't heard that! We use a mesh one and in my opinion it's SO easy to clean!

fragglemom · July 2016

@cali1710 I have heard a lot of complaints from the moms in my life about the mesh feeder. Most of the complaints were around maintenance and that the mesh can get pretty gross. There are a variety of silicone feeders available from Amazon. They don't fit as much food as the mesh but I've heard great things about them. I ordered the kidsme version. He's only played with it so far though. We'll probably start solids in the next couple of weeks.

cali1710 · July 2016

jessfragione said:

@cali1710 I have heard a lot of complaints from the moms in my life about the mesh feeder. Most of the complaints were around maintenance and that the mesh can get pretty gross. There are a variety of silicone feeders available from Amazon. They don't fit as much food as the mesh but I've heard great things about them. I ordered the kidsme version. He's only played with it so far though. We'll probably start solids in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks! I found a silicone one on well.ca just now too but I'll check amazon! Always forget about them lol. My friend used the silicone and liked it much better so I might give it a try

l4rk · July 2016

kaym6 said:

@l4rk so thy said not to use them at all due to the fact the food would be in their mouth longer than if they were just eating the food on its own because of their desire to suck on the mesh feeder?

Interesting! Definitely have never considered that. Makes sense if you think about it I guess. My pediatrician actually recommended them to us! She's clearly not a dentist! lol I'm also in the all things in moderation mindset. Thanks for the info!

Yep, exactly. Longer exposure and also higher chance of repeated exposure, causing more of those acid attacks, if they are picking it up over and over throughout the morning or whatever.

I have a couple mesh feeders and will probably give them a go once LO is old enough for solids, but I think I will set a 15 minute time limit and only use it once a day, max.

Becky012016 · July 2016

We plan on only using the mesh feeders for foods that are common choking hazards like grapes or watermelon (in case I miss a seed!). We're also an everything in moderation family and plan to brush his teeth every day whenever he finally gets teeth lol

kaym6 · July 2016

@l4rk good to know! He usually only gets things in it that are too hard to pick up and only in his high chair so he doesn't usually have access to it longer than he would anything else he was eating!

grkgdss00 · July 2016

@cali1710 yes we use the silicone one, I think she likes it better on her gums. I have the mesh also but haven't tried them yet. So far we've done frozen berries and frozen BM.

teachmegs817 · July 2016

l4rk said:

kaym6 said:

@l4rk so thy said not to use them at all due to the fact the food would be in their mouth longer than if they were just eating the food on its own because of their desire to suck on the mesh feeder?

Interesting! Definitely have never considered that. Makes sense if you think about it I guess. My pediatrician actually recommended them to us! She's clearly not a dentist! lol I'm also in the all things in moderation mindset. Thanks for the info!

Yep, exactly. Longer exposure and also higher chance of repeated exposure, causing more of those acid attacks, if they are picking it up over and over throughout the morning or whatever.

I have a couple mesh feeders and will probably give them a go once LO is old enough for solids, but I think I will set a 15 minute time limit and only use it once a day, max.

This is what we do. I don't even use it every day. Maybe 2-3 times a week, for 10-15 minutes. I use it when DH or I get dinner ready for ourselves and him. Or, if we're eating at the table and it isn't quite time for him to eat or has already ate, just so he has something to do while we are eating and feels apart of the group.

I never thought about the constant sucking on the mesh and the food lingering in their mouths longer.

teachmegs817 · July 2016

@linds852010 I've done banana and watermelon. We're making puree for him, so I will probably only stick to things that I wouldn't make a puree out of because they are mushy to begin with, like; melons, banana, and maybe I'll try strawberries in the next month or so.

alisong10 · July 2016

I have one but don't use it for food. We do ice cubes of breast milk and regular ice cubes in it when teething or on hot days.

BarrettJ89 · July 2016

We only use it with ice cubes. It helps tremendously with teething and the only "mess" might be a little puddle of water.

Wicked4589 · July 2016

We use it with watermelon. He has used it maybe 5 times so far. Super easy to clean.

danasphillips · July 2016

We love love love ours but we have the silicon one! We've put all kinds of fruits and veggies in.

LessyAngel · July 2016

I've used mango, plum, and watermelon...my son LOVES it and although it's a mess, it keeps him occupied and i don't have to worry about him biting off big chunks.

MissMheMhe · July 2016

I've only used it with plain ice cubes. Super easy clean up!

Ebiejay · July 2016

We have tried a couple fruits with it, LO loves it. But we also like to put plain ice cubes in, perfect for cooling him down this Summer.

Ameehan81592 · August 2016

I have both. I like the silicone one due to not having to scrub the little mushy fruit out lol. Little miss autumn loves her fruit in them. Peaches, watermelon, bananas and we've tried (in small amounts) an organic cherry and apple ice pop. She's big on food lol. She will eat an entire container of #2 baby food and still be ready for a bottle afterwards lol. She's a big girl though so we need to keep that big belly full lol

cali1710 · August 2016

Ameehan81592 said:

I have both. I like the silicone one due to not having to scrub the little mushy fruit out lol. Little miss autumn loves her fruit in them. Peaches, watermelon, bananas and we've tried (in small amounts) an organic cherry and apple ice pop. She's big on food lol. She will eat an entire container of #2 baby food and still be ready for a bottle afterwards lol. She's a big girl though so we need to keep that big belly full lol

Why small amounts of cherry? Are they not supposed to have them?

Ameehan81592 · August 2016

@cali1710 no it's just that it's not made for babies so i don't wanna overload her on too much sugar lol. So I just give her small amounts of that. It is organic though so it's better than a regular ice pop on that aspect but I just don't wanna over do it

cali1710 · August 2016

Ameehan81592 said:

@cali1710 no it's just that it's not made for babies so i don't wanna overload her on too much sugar lol. So I just give her small amounts of that. It is organic though so it's better than a regular ice pop on that aspect but I just don't wanna over do it

Totally missed the "ice pop" part. I'm an idiot lol

Ameehan81592 · August 2016

lol no! It's okay. Sometimes when you get nervous about things you read fast lol

Want a personalized experience?

Mesh Feeder

Re: Mesh Feeder

Choose Another Board

Search Boards