Weaning net or nibbler: choose the best!

Nibbler, nubler, fruittaker - these are modern names for a net for feeding children. This device simplifies child care, but so far few parents know what can be put there and how to use it correctly. Let's look at the need for the device and its advantages. We will also consider the option of making a nibbler at home.

• What is a nibbler and what are its advantages when feeding? Child safety and nibbler
• How our ancestors managed without nibbler

What is a nibbler and what are its feeding benefits?

The Nibbler is a design for children that allows you to speed up and simplify the teething process. Today there are different variations of nibblers: with mesh, with a silicone base for food. It is precisely because of the large number of variations that each type of nibbler has its own advantages and disadvantages.

The main task and main advantage of any nibbler is to help parents with feeding. After all, it allows the child to safely eat fruits, vegetables and other foods without biting off large pieces.

Child safety and nibbler

“Fruit nipple” is another variation of the name nibbler. Thanks to the lightweight design, the child can easily hold the feeder in his hands. The different sizes of the feeder are also an advantage. The smallest ones can be the size of a pacifier. And the mesh, which is the main part of the nibbler, will not allow large pieces of food to get into the child’s mouth, and he will not choke.

With the development of the children's clothing industry, the number of interesting and useful items is increasing. Find out how to choose the right bathing circle, diaper, mobile and bumper for a crib, changing table, slips, aspirator, jumpers, walkers, humidifier, orthopedic pillow.

The nibbler is also made from materials that will not harm the child’s health.

Did you know? In the old days, peasant women believed that colostrum was extremely harmful for the child, and in the first days they did not put it to the breast. Colostrum expressed on the ground, for example. When the newborn cried, he was given a pacifier - a soft cloth in which a chewed pretzel with sugar (in rich houses) or simply sweet porridge or rye bread (in poor houses) was wrapped.

How our ancestors managed without nibbler

Previously, there was no such developed clothing industry for children, as well as a special name for nets for feeding babies with fruit. That's why the parents used gauze. A piece of fruit was placed in it and tied. This old-fashioned method was no different in effectiveness from the nibblers that exist today. However, modern designs are more attractive to children due to their bright colors and interesting designs.

What can you put in a nibbler?

At a time when our grandmothers were still young mothers, children would put some bread in a piece of gauze, wrap it and let it chew. This was the first kind of chewing mesh. With the help of a modern nibbler, your baby can enjoy many foods:

• Fruits: apple, banana, pear, avocado
• Berries
• Fresh or boiled vegetables: carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, etc.
• A piece of boiled meat
• Dry or bread

Attention: you should put in the nibbler products that are suitable for the baby’s age.

How to choose the optimal feeder

There are a large number of nibblers on the children's goods market, so you can choose the one that suits you personally. Before purchasing, determine the purpose of its use. If you want to protect your child from large pieces of food in this way, the best option for this would be a feeder with a mesh. The design will be different if you want to speed up or simplify the process of teething for your baby.

also worth paying attention to the ease of cleaning the nibbler from food debris. At the same time, many manufacturers offer additional mesh or removable attachments. Don't forget to pay attention to the handle of the structure. It should be comfortable for the child to hold the feeder in his hand.

Types of feeding nets

The main part of the feeder is the place where fruits or other goodies are placed for the baby. The mesh must be made of safe materials. These can be fabric meshes, as well as silicone ones. At the same time, silicone is easier to wash, but fabric may be more pleasant for the child.

Important! If you choose a fruit taker with a fabric mesh, you can avoid buying additional bags. When the mesh begins to darken, simply dip it in a weak solution of citric acid and water, then rinse. The mesh will return to its normal color.

There is no clear opinion about which nibbler is better - silicone or with a fabric mesh. Therefore, buy the one that inspires you the most confidence.

What can you put in a nibbler?

Those who use a silicone or fabric nibbler for the first time often do not know what can be put there. Let's clarify this issue. Foods are placed in the nibbler to begin feeding the baby. Usually these are fruits (apples, banana). If the child is 9-10 months old, you can add berries or various vegetables. An option in the form of berries is possible. If you are not sure what you can give your baby at the beginning of complementary feeding, as well as put it in the feeder, then consult your doctor.

Silicone nibbler, or mesh is better

Sometimes the disadvantage of a nibbler is the difficulty in washing the mesh. Because of this, many parents prefer fabric nets, which can be disposed of at any time and purchased a new one. But do not forget that silicone meshes are also easy to clean. In many cases, silicone fruit takers turn out to be more durable than fabric ones.

Important! If the silicone mesh changes color over time, this only means that it is time to change it. Only an unpleasant smell after the first opening of the box with the feeder can indicate low-quality material.

The best pacifier manufacturers - which company to choose

Manufacturers from different countries are engaged in the manufacture and sale of children's products, including pacifiers. On the domestic market you can find a huge number of pacifiers, different from each other in type, shape, material of manufacture, design and purpose.

When choosing, we advise you to prefer little-known companies to those that have already proven themselves positively. You should not save much on purchasing products of this kind, since the baby’s comfort, as well as his health, often depends on the pacifier.

For those who do not have the opportunity to read the entire article, we offer a list of the most famous brands:

• Avent;
• Nuc;
• Chicco;
• Nuby;
• Pigeon.

These brands are probably familiar to many, especially those who already have children in the family. They are famous for their excellent product quality and complete safety. All nipples undergo strict control and have certificates of compliance with international standards and requirements.

By purchasing pacifiers from such manufacturers, you do not have to worry about the well-being of your baby. For those wishing to get acquainted with specific models, we advise you to go to our rating of the best pacifiers for babies.

Recommendations: 10 Best Children's Tableware Sets

12 best pacifiers for babies

14 Best Baby Bottles

Review of popular children's "chews" or "fruit takers"

A net for feeding babies fruits, vegetables, and berries is a very popular product, which is why there are a large number of “chews” for children. They can have shaped or solid handles, lids of different designs, as well as different mesh materials and their volume.

"Nuby"

Nuby is the most versatile nibbler on the market. After all, it has two options: with a silicone mesh and with a fabric one. The only difference is the price and preferences of the parents. Each of the company's fruit takers is equipped with a rubberized handle that will not allow the child to drop the feeder. There is also a cap, thanks to which you can confidently take the nibbler outside or on a visit. "Nuby" is available in different colors. Fruit taker handles can also be modified, depending on the release model.

"The world of childhood"

Budget option for fruit taker. It is available with handles in different colors. Please note that the mesh is replaceable. The disadvantage is that components (mesh) need to be purchased. At the same time, the handle will be comfortable for the baby, because it is light in weight. The mesh in the World of Childhood feeder is fabric. The kit also includes a lid. This allows you to use the “chew” on the street.

"MamaSense"

This type of fruit taker is distinguished by its silicone mesh. At first glance it is too thin, but in use its strength is confirmed. "MamaSense" is well suited for children due to its comfortable handle. Despite the small amount of space for food, the nibbler helps to occupy the child for a while and gives parents the opportunity to do the necessary things. In addition, this fruit taker has bright colors that will attract the attention of the child. The silicone mesh is also changeable and can be purchased additionally.

"Happy Baby"

One of the most popular nibblers. The main part of "Happy Baby" consists of silicone. Thanks to this, your baby will be comfortable chewing and will not damage his gums. The big advantage of the feeder is the mechanism that allows you to move food debris closer to the mesh. In addition, the nibbler is equipped with a reliable fastening, so the child will not be able to open the net with food on his own.

Did you know? Today, baby strollers are equipped with many additional accessories and functions. We couldn’t even dream about this before, but we couldn’t even think about it. And the stroller was invented by landscape architect William Kent.
In the 18th century, you could even harness a pony or a dog to a carriage.

Nibbler for complementary feeding

There is also a nipple nipple for complementary feeding. It is smaller in volume than the above fruit takers. However, it does not differ in functionality. You can also put berries, fruits, and vegetables in it. It is interesting because the child will suck it like a regular pacifier, but there will be pleasant goodies inside.

DIY nibbler

If you are not ready to spend money on a nibbler, you can make it yourself. To do this you will need:

• jar (usually a jar of vitamins is used because of the convenient lid of the right size);
• tape measure;
• awl;
• paper on which to draw a pattern;
• ribbon or braid, at least 15-20 cm long;
• threads;
• sewing machine;
• mesh (often used is a mesh for washing clothes, which can be purchased at any hardware store);
• sandpaper;
• stationery knife;
• scissors.

So, initially you need to trim the jar. To do this, measure 7-10 mm from the thread on the jar and cut it with a stationery knife. Then sand all the edges on the cut piece with sandpaper.

After that, start cutting. Measure the circumference of the resulting part with a centimeter tape and divide the resulting number by 2. Add another 1 cm to the final number. For example, if your circumference was 16 cm, then dividing by two and adding another unit, you get 9 cm. This will be the width of the mesh.

Next step: fold the paper in half and measure half of the resulting mesh width to the side from the fold line. For example, if we get 9 cm, then set aside 4.5 cm on paper. Then measure 8-10 cm down from the bend line. This will be the length of the future bag. Connect the two points that you have obtained with an arc. Cut out the pattern. All is ready.

Now you will need the mesh itself, folded in half.
Place the pattern on it and cut it out. Two parts of the bag are ready. You can start stitching the parts together. Important! It is recommended to make several replacement bags at once.

After you have made the mesh for the feeder, proceed to making the base. To do this, take the prepared part of the jar and an awl. Make two holes and insert ribbon or braid there. Secure it. We put the mesh on a threaded ring and close it with a lid. Nibbler is ready.

At what age and how many months should Nibbler be used?

Having figured out what a feeding nibbler is, let's find out from what time it can be used and how to use it correctly. So, the nibbler can be used from 4-6 months. It all depends on the baby’s start of complementary feeding. If this is breastfeeding, then start at 6 months, if formula - at 4-5 months. Your pediatrician can also help you with this issue. After all, complementary feeding is not always introduced at the 6th month of a baby’s life. Despite the fact that Nibbler is safe for children, there may be individual contraindications.

Find out how a child should develop at , , 9 months, 1 year.

Safety rules when using a nibbler

The Nibbler is a safe device, but when using it, you must keep an eye on your baby and follow some safety precautions:

1. Don't leave your baby alone when he chews a nibbler.
2. The chew mesh should not be used as a pacifier or toy.
3. Each time before use, it is necessary to check the parts of the nibbler for signs of wear and damage. It is worth paying attention to the integrity of the mesh itself
4. If breaks, loose threads or similar problems are detected, the mesh must be replaced. You should not give your baby a nibbler with a damaged mesh.

Pros of using a nibbler

Every baby will sooner or later learn to chew food on his own, but a nibbler will speed up this process. Here are the absolute advantages of using it:

• By chewing the nibbler mesh, the baby is safe and the parents are calm. He won't choke on a large particle. The baby gnaws the mesh, turning its contents into pulp and sucking out the juice
• During the difficult time of teething, the feeder will be an excellent helper. The woven mesh massages your baby's itchy and swollen gums, facilitating the appearance of baby teeth. Place chilled fruit slices in the mesh to relieve pain in your child's sore gums
• It is convenient to use the nibbler while walking. Sitting in the stroller, the baby enjoys his favorite fruit, and the mother does not worry that he will choke
• The bright colors and details of the nibbler are pleasing to the eye and attract the child’s attention, bringing joy
• The nibbler is very convenient to use. All parts are easy to clean

How to use a baby nibbler

To use a nibbler, it is not enough to know what is put in it and at what age it can be used. It is worth mentioning some subtleties.

So, the place where the baby treats are placed can be easily removed. But remember that all products must be soft and juicy so that the child can easily chew them and get juice. After each use, it is recommended to wash it with plain water. Do not use detergents under any circumstances. Do not cap after washing. Let the feeder dry. This way it won’t acquire an unpleasant odor and will last you longer. Thus, we figured out what the weaning net is called and how to choose this device correctly. It can become a reliable assistant for you in caring for your baby. If you decide to purchase one, the best option before purchasing is to consult a pediatrician who will give individual recommendations.

Children Children's accessories

Nibbler nipple for complementary feeding

All complementary feeding devices are made of nylon or silicone; both materials do not cause allergies and do not distort the smell and taste of food. You can determine which is better based on the child’s age and aesthetic considerations.

1. The silicone version is durable, easy to wash and dry, and does not darken or wear out very quickly. The elastic texture makes teething easier for the baby. True, a child can chew through the silicone, but spare parts are sold separately or included in the kit.
2. Nylon is stronger and softer than silicone, the holes in it are larger and fibers pass through them more easily. The main disadvantage is rapid wear. The material darkens and it is impossible to wash it; after about three months, the mesh should be thrown away and a new one should be bought so that the baby does not damage the oral mucosa.

We have already talked about analogues of the nibbler in the times of our grandmothers.

The essence of introducing solid complementary foods in the modern world has remained the same, but the means for this have been improved and acquired many modifications.

They differ not only in the shape of the holder, but also in the materials from which they are made; the product inserts can be varied. Most often, the choice is the classic one in the form of a ring. It is comfortable for the baby to hold and has a rubberized part or surface. Also thanks to the ring, it is convenient to attach it to the crib or baby. The straight handle of the device contributes to a stronger development of the reflex in the child.

The material from which the nibbler mesh container is made is high-quality nylon. However, you can also find silicone nibblers on sale.

The same cannot be said about silicone parts; they are quite difficult to find on sale, so a complete replacement of the device will be required. Let’s make an easy comparison.

But let’s not forget that despite the wishes and preferences of the parents, the baby should like the nibbler. Otherwise, purchasing it will not be worthwhile and the child will simply not pick it up.