Why Should We Use Suction Bowls and Plates for Children?
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Time to read 5 min
Mealtimes with little ones can feel like an Olympic sport—dodging flying spoons, cleaning up the never ending mess, and rescuing overturned plates. But what if there was a way to make mealtimes smoother while also supporting your child's development?
That’s where the suction plate comes in. Designed to grip securely to high chair trays and tables, the suction plate prevents mess, reduces food waste, and fosters independent eating skills.
Suction plates are a game-changer for mealtimes. The amount of times my floor has been protected from flying plates and scattered food is countless. Strong suction bases keep everything in place. The suction plate also allows your little one to focus on eating instead of throwing. Less mess, less stress, and more fun for everyone at the table.
eco rascals suction plates come in a variety of fun designs which you will see throughout this blog post. From our Roarsome Dinosaur suction plate to the adorable duck suction plate that keeps little ones smiling. Plus we have three-section plates such as the owl, Christmas tree and Santa plate for those kids who prefer to keep their foods separate.
How to use your eco rascals suction plate.
The 5 Benefits of Using a Suction Plate for Your Child
1. Keeps Food on the Plate, Not on the Floor
A major frustration for parents is food ending up everywhere when weaning except in their child's mouth. The suction plate helps eliminate part of this problem by securely attaching to the table of high chair tray, meaning fewer spills and a whole lot less cleaning.
By keeping the plate steady, the suction plate helps reduce spills and food wastage. Parents spend less time scrubbing floors and more time enjoying mealtime with their child.
Image from eco rascals
2. Encourages Independent Eating
A wobbly plate can make it harder for little hands to scoop food successfully. The stability provided by a suction plate allows children to focus on their eating skills, leading to improved hand-eye coordination and fine motor development.
3. Boosts Confidence in Self-Feeding
When a child struggles to get food onto their spoon or fork, it can lead to frustration. A suction plate stays in place, helping little ones feel more in control of their meals, which in turn encourages them to explore new foods and textures with confidence.
4. Ideal for Babies developing Fine Motor Skills
Before babies develop the dexterity to handle utensils properly, they use their hands to explore food. The suction plate provides a steady surface, preventing unnecessary movement and allowing them to practice grasping and feeding themselves with ease.
5. Reduces Food Waste
By keeping the plate steady, the suction plate helps reduce spills and food wastage. Parents spend less time scrubbing floors and more time enjoying dinnertimes with their child.
Must Have Suction Plates
What Makes the Best Suction Plate?
When choosing the perfect suction plate for your child, material matters. At eco rascals, we use two of the safest and most practical materials for little eaters—bamboo and silicone.
Bamboo: The Eco-Friendly, Non-Toxic Choice
Our bamboo suction plates are made from organic, biodegradable bamboo, a renewable resource that is naturally antimicrobial and free from harmful chemicals. Unlike plastic, bamboo won’t leach toxins into your child’s food. Plus, our bamboo suction plates come with a removable suction base, so when your child outgrows the need for suction, you can continue using the plate as a regular dish—making it a long-lasting and sustainable choice.
Silicone: Safe, Durable, and Easy to Clean
Our LFGB silicone suction plates are BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free. Silicone is stain-resistant, odour-free, and highly durable. Plus, it’s dishwasher-safe, making cleanup effortless.
Image from eco rascals
"Really good quality product and strong suction hold. Highly recommends."
How Does a Suction Plate Work?
The suction plate uses a simple airtight mechanism. When pressed onto a smooth, non-porous surface, the air between the plate and the base is removed, creating a vacuum seal that holds the plate in place.
This works best on:
High chair trays
Glass tables
Smooth wooden or plastic surfaces
For best results, always make sure the surface is clean and dry before attaching the plate.
Image from eco rascals
Storage Considerations for Suction Plates
While suction plates make mealtime easier, their unique shapes can sometimes take up more space in kitchen cabinets. Fortunately, our bamboo and silicone suction plates are designed to be stackable or easily stored alongside other dishes.
Who Else Can Benefit from Suction Plates?
While suction plates are a game-changer for toddlers, they are also incredibly useful for older children and adults with unpredictable movements such as tremors, tics, or stimming behaviors. Many caregivers in elderly care homes also use suction plates to assist residents with limited mobility. Additionally, our open plates and silicone plates provide alternative options for those who need extra stability during meals.
Make Mealtime Easier with a Suction Plate
At eco rascals, we believe that mealtimes should be enjoyable, stress-free, and kind to the environment. By choosing a bamboo or silicone suction plate , you’re investing in safe and practical tableware for your child while making a sustainable choice for the planet.
Explore our range of suction plates and bowls today and make mealtimes easier (and cleaner) for the whole family!
"Perfect in every way! Not sure if it was the plate, but all of a sudden my toddler started eating again. We had the bamboo plates from this brand, but I think (the silicone plate) is more practical as it can just be chucked in the dishwasher - happy toddler, happy mummy."
The Downsides to a Suction Plate
Suction plates can be a little too good at their job—once they’re stuck, they’re not budging! This can be frustrating when you’re in a rush to clean up or if little hands get curious and try to pull them off. But that’s exactly why they’re a must-have for mealtimes! Our eco rascals suction plates are designed to stay put, reducing spills and saving you from endless clean-ups. Plus, with our easy-release tab which should always be put on at the back of the plate, grown-ups can remove them effortlessly when needed. Less mess, less stress—so you can focus on enjoying mealtimes with your little one!
The Author: Celeidh Cook
Celeidh Cook, co-founder of eco rascals and a passionate e-commerce and marketing specialist with a love for content creation and brand storytelling. As the driving force behind eco rascals' digital presence, I bring creativity and strategy together to connect with modern families looking for sustainable, practical solutions at mealtiems.
