Which nibbler is better to choose and from what age to give it?

It’s crucial to provide babies with safe and manageable tools when they begin to experiment with new foods. A nibbler lowers the risk of choking and is a great way to introduce fresh fruits and vegetables. But how are you supposed to decide which option to pick when there are so many available?

Nibblers are made of various materials, sizes, and forms to encourage your baby to learn how to chew and enjoy solid foods. Knowing which kind to use and when to introduce one can have a significant impact on your child’s feeding journey.

We’ll discuss what to look for in a nibbler and when to start using it at the right age in this post, so you and your child can have a fun and safe experience.

Type of Nibbler	Age to Start Using
Mesh Nibbler	6 months+
Silicone Nibbler	6 months+
Plastic Nibbler	6 months+
Hybrid Nibbler	6 months+

Purpose

Baby nibblers are mainly offered to babies to introduce fruit feeding.

A fruit slice inserted into the mesh is chewed by the infant. The product becomes puree as a result of chewing, which the baby sucks out through the mesh holes. The infant learns to chew complementary solid foods in this way.

It should be noted that bringing along a stroller with you makes it easy to give your baby a delightful fruit snack. During teething, using a fruit taker is also beneficial. Teething discomfort is lessened for babies by chewing on nibbler mesh and gently massaging their gums. Additionally, you can place a chilled product inside the mesh to help the baby’s gums and create a mild freezing effect.

It’s crucial to think about safety features like a lock that secures the nibbler, ease of cleaning, and the type (mesh or silicone) when selecting one for your infant. When your child first tries solid foods, around six months of age, the majority of experts advise introducing a nibbler. This allows them to safely explore new textures while relieving the discomfort of teething.

A few words about safety

The nibbler’s safe introduction of solid food to young children is one of its benefits. Parents can feel secure knowing that their infant won’t bite off an excessively large piece of fruit if they give the product in a net. Using a feeder also removes the chance of seeds and pits ending up in the baby’s mouth. It’s vital to remember that the device’s plastic components are impact-resistant and its net is extremely strong. Therefore, you don’t have to be concerned that your baby may rip the net with his teeth or that a nibbler that falls to the ground will break.

Types of nets for feeding

• They quickly lose their appearance.
• They can irritate the baby"s oral mucosa.

• Not very durable (children chew them over time).
• There are no spare nets, so if they need to be replaced, you have to buy a new nibbler.

Why is the silicone nibbler so popular?

The numerous benefits that silicone nibblers have over mesh ones account for the high demand for them among young mothers:

• They hold their shape better.
• They do not change color under the influence of fruit juices.
• Their holes do not get clogged with food particles.
• Children like to suck them.
• Silicone can be treated with boiling water.

Manufacturers and review of models

Given that every manufacturer produces a different version of the feeder, there are currently a variety of nibblers available for purchase.

Nuby

This well-known American manufacturer is selling a rattle-shaped nibbler. A child can easily hold such a feeder in their hand thanks to its rubberized bright plastic handle. Items with varying capacities are arranged within a nylon bag.

The first nibblers to hit the Russian market were from Nuby, and you can find them widely in pharmacies and retail establishments. One of these feeders’ benefits is that it has a cute design. You can choose a nibbler that matches the baby’s gender because models in pink and blue are available.

Notwithstanding the fact that these nibblers require frequent replacement, one drawback of this particular brand is that both the nibbler and its replaceable attachments are rather expensive. Furthermore, a lot of kids might be drawn to the product in the mesh rather than the handy and bright handle of such a thing.

MamaSense

Fruittakers are the name of the devices made by this English manufacturer. Since the container is made of silicone, its primary feature is the manufacturing material. It maintains its shape well, and a child can easily access the complementary food item through the numerous tiny holes in this type of feeder.

The handle is practical for attaching to a high chair and for a child to grasp with their hand. Such a silicone item is very easy to clean, and the gadget dries pretty quickly. Because of the mesh’s tiny volume, the contents do not splash while the baby is gnawing and almost all of it fits inside their mouth.

These feeders do, however, have some disadvantages, including a relatively high price, a small capacity (complementary food must be given in small portions), and a lack of replaceable attachments (you will have to buy a new one if the container wears out).

"World of Childhood"

This domestic manufacturer’s nibblers are similar to Nuby products, but they have a few different design elements. These feeders have a round handle with a hole in it so the baby can tie it to the chair or take it in their hands. These feeding nets are reasonably priced, and the child will find the design convenient as it draws his attention to the food container.

It is more challenging to buy such a small item, though, because nibblers from this manufacturer are less common than those made in America. Furthermore, as the product inside the bag is chewed, the contents spray to the sides of the baby’s mouth in addition to falling into it.

Additionally, "The World of Childhood" is produced by more conveniently operated silicone nibblers.

From what age to give?

When fruit feeding is first introduced, they most frequently turn to using a feeder. It is very risky to give a large piece of apple or other product to a baby who has just gotten his first teeth. A large piece of food that has been bitten off can cause a baby to choke, even though babies older than six months old can already swallow whole meals.

Since even a one-year-old baby may find it difficult to chew a large piece of food, 6 to 18 months is the typical age range for using a nibbler.

Instructions for use

It’s very easy to use a nibbler: take off the fastening ring, place a piece of food inside the mesh, snap it shut, and give the baby the gadget. Keep in mind that you need to give the new mesh a thorough wash with a product meant for cleaning baby dishes. It is not acceptable to use other detergents. After washing, give the nibbler a good rinse in boiling water.

To ensure that there are no food particles trapped in the mesh, the feeder needs to be completely cleaned after every use. This is often done with a toothbrush. The disassembled device is rinsed, allowed to air dry, and then reassembled if the mesh gets too dark over time.

What foods to put in the feeder?

Typically, bits of apple, pear, or banana are placed in the feeder along with other fruits and berries. Furthermore, the infant is frequently given both boiled and raw veggies with the aid of such a device. You can also place crackers, cookies, and bread in the nibbler to reduce the chance of small parts and crumbs choking.

Tips for choosing

• Carefully inspect the device from all sides. Pay attention to whether the clasp of the nibbler you are buying is reliable, so that the baby cannot open the device on his own. Make sure that there are no defects in the mesh.
• Select a mesh in accordance with the age of the baby, and also check whether it is possible to replace the attachments by installing an attachment of a different size on the nibbler. For a silicone nibbler, the attachments may differ in width and length.
• If the nibbler has a cap, it will provide additional convenience of use (you can take the thing with you on a walk or on the road).
• Pay attention to nibblers from a well-known manufacturer and ask the seller to show a quality certificate for the selected nibbler when buying. Cheaper analogs from unknown companies can break faster or be made of low-quality materials, so you should not risk the health of the baby.

Silicone nibbler or mesh is better?

You must take into account the following details when making a decision:

• A nibbler with a mesh holds its shape worse than a silicone one.
• Pieces of the product that is given to the child remain in the holes of the mesh nibbler.
• If you give your baby fruits from a mesh nibbler, their juice will darken the mesh (it will turn gray-brown).
• The mesh is less hygienic, since it is made of nylon, which cannot be boiled.
• It is much easier to wash the silicone nozzle, and if necessary, it can be boiled.
• Many babies prefer the silicone tip of the nibbler, as it is more similar to a pacifier, and sucking on it is more pleasant than sucking on the mesh.

Reviews

You can hear women with quite different perspectives regarding feeders. Some people are certain that this is a pointless gadget, while others are not even aware that it exists. Many people believe that the feeding net is beneficial, but they do not believe that it is absolutely necessary when introducing solid food to a child’s diet. Simultaneously, moms who purchased a nibbler for their infants are typically happy with this assistance.

Depending on your baby’s age, needs, and preferences, you can choose the best nibbler for them. When babies begin solid foods at 6 months old, most nibblers are appropriate, but you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Seek for a nibbler made of a safe, pliable material, like silicone, and make sure it’s cleanable. It will be simpler for your baby to use if the handle is cozy and fits their hands.

A quality nibbler can help safely introduce new flavors and textures, lowering the chance of choking and encouraging eating independence. To guarantee secure and enjoyable mealtimes, keep a watch on your infant while they use it.

Video on the topic

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