The 3 Spoons Technique: A Simple Hack for Happier Mealtimes (+ Why We Love NumNum GOOtensils)
Unavoidable Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links as part of an Amazon Associates campaign for NumNum Spoons, and as an Amazon Associate I may earn a commission if you purchase through my links.Thank you for your support! All opinions are my own.
Feeding a baby with just one spoon? It can feel like a tug-of-war.
Your baby wants control. You need to reload. But when there’s only one spoon in the mix, it quickly turns into a battle. Maybe you’ve even tried using two spoons so baby can have one while you reload the second spoon, but then what happens? Baby wants to hold both spoons and won’t let go! You try to get the second spoon back, but this frustrates baby and completely derails the flow of the meal and creates a power struggle (the more frustrated baby gets, the less likely they are to continue eating). You’re trying to allow your baby independence with self-feeding, but instead you’re stuck negotiating for a slippery spoon every few seconds. That’s where the 3 Spoons Technique comes in. This simple strategy takes the struggle out of self-feeding by keeping the flow going—no more waiting, no more tugging, and a lot more success at the table.
What Is the 3 Spoons Technique?
This clever feeding method is a game-changer for babies learning to self-feed with a spoon. Here’s how it works:
You offer your baby a pre-loaded spoon.
After they’ve eaten what’s on that spoon (or attempted to!), you hand them a second pre-loaded spoon.
If baby is now holding onto both spoons with no signs of letting go, Enter: The 3rd spoon — hold out a third pre-loaded spoon in front of your baby
Watch as your baby drops one spoon and grabs the newly loaded 3rd spoon!
Re-load the now free spoon, and keep the rotation going!
It’s a beautifully simple solution that:
Reduces frustration — no more trying to pry a spoon out of your baby’s determined grip
Encourages independence and autonomy with feeding
Allows for shared control and responsive feeding
The best part? Your baby gets to practice feeding themselves without the usual spoon tug-of-war that can derail a meal.
Check out the 3 Spoons Technique in action here!
Why We Recommend NumNum GOOtensils
Not all spoons are created equal when it comes to starting solids and self-feeding. Many spoons have too long of a handle that make it too hard for baby’s to self-feed with, and most spoons have spoon bowls that the food falls right off of, making it frustrating for you and baby.
That’s why we love NumNum GOOtensils for this technique. These innovative pre-spoons are designed especially for beginners, with features that make them perfect for little hands and learning mouths:
Easy to hold: Ergonomic and baby-sized for successful grasps, and easy placement in their mouth.
Textured/hold surface design: Great for gripping purees, mashed foods, and smashed soft solids
Silicone coating: Soft silicone on the spoon end which feels nice on baby’s gums
Thin spoon design: The thin spoon allows for lateral placement, or placement into the back gums, which helps trigger feeding reflexes including munching and tongue lateralization, which helps advance feeding skills
Flat, dip-friendly design: No scooping required. Once your baby has the ability, they can start to dip the spoon into the puree/mashed food all on their own!
Using three GOOtensils in rotation makes this technique even easier—and more fun—for both of you.
Bonus: NumNum GOOtensils are dishwasher-safe and come in adorable colors your baby will love. They even come in packs of 3 (click here) and 6 (click here), perfect for the 3 Spoons Technique!
Perfect for the three spoons circus! Click the photo above for the Amazon link!
What age is best for using NumNum GOOtensils?
I actually recommend introducing these pre-spoons as early as 3 months as a teether to start preparing for introducing solids! Not only does this get your baby used to the idea of putting a spoon into their mouth, making it an easier transition when you add food into the mix, but the thin shape of these spoons helps encourage reflexes needed for feeding, including the bite reflex (munching) and tongue lateralization. So try introducing these spoons (without food) between 3-6 months of age, and then when you start solids around 6 months of age! These spoons can by used up until around 18 months of age as baby is starting to gain more independence with feeding utensils.
Pro Tip
If your baby starts playing “drop the spoon” (a classic game), just keep the flow going and don’t make a big deal out of it. Have little to no action and simple continue with the rotation. You can add in language, “Spoons stay in our hands or on the tray.” If they continue to throw you can tell them, “It looks like you are telling me all done.”
Mealtime Magic in a Few Simple Swaps
The 3 Spoons Technique turns mealtime from a tug-of-war struggle into a smooth rhythm of feeding, reloading, and exploring. Combined with thoughtfully designed tools like NumNum GOOtensils, you're not just feeding your baby—you’re helping them build confidence, coordination, and joy at the table.
Disclosure reminder: This content is part of an Amazon Associates campaign for NumNum Spoons. We only share products we truly love and trust.