China plates may look lovely but they won’t withstand this stage of feeding, so you'll have to buy new ones – look for plastic, bamboo, silicone or melamine. Some plates and bowls have useful features like a non-slip base or suction cup, so they’re harder to knock over, or a handle to make them easy for you to hold, plus sections to keep different foods separate.Microwaveable and dishwasher-safe plates and bowls are easy to use and clean and those that have lids are good for keeping food in the fridge and reheating food without splatters.Cutlery should be plastic, bamboo or silicone to avoid damaging your baby's delicate gums. If you’re going to be spoon-feeding your baby, long-handled spoons are good for getting to the bottom of jars. If they're at the self-feeding stage, short and chunky handles are easier for them to hold. Some spoons even have a colour-change feature, with tips that indicates if food is too hot. You will be able to buy weaning sets consisting of a bowl, plate, spoon and sometimes a cup too from nursery retailers such as Amazon or John Lewis. This can often work out cheaper than buying the items individually.A highchair is a must-buy for baby mealtimes. Choose one without a tray so they can eat at the table with the rest of the family and you might want to look for one that grows with your child.