Best Silicone Baby Plates UK: What to Look For When Weaning

So you've decided to go with silicone. Smart move. Now comes the slightly overwhelming part — working out which silicone baby plate is actually worth buying, and which ones are going to end up at the back of the cupboard by week two.

We sell silicone baby plates at For the Baby, so we're not going to pretend to be completely neutral here. But we do know these products inside out, and this guide covers everything a UK parent needs to know before buying — including what most product listings conveniently leave out.

If you'd rather go straight to the plates, our full range of silicone baby plates is side by side in one place. This guide is for working out which one suits your little one.

Why Silicone is Such a Popular Choice for Weaning Plates

Before getting into what to look for, it's worth quickly covering why food-grade silicone has become the go-to material for weaning plates in the first place.

It's not plastic. That's the starting point for a lot of parents who are increasingly uncomfortable with plastic around their baby's food — and understandably so. Food-grade silicone contains no BPA, no phthalates, no PVC, and no plasticisers of any kind. It's chemically stable, meaning it doesn't react with food or leach anything into what your baby is eating, even when heated.

It also happens to be practically indestructible. Drop a silicone plate from a high chair and it bounces. Throw it across the kitchen (and they will) — it's fine. That kind of durability matters enormously during the weaning months.

What to Look For in a Silicone Baby Plate

1. Food-grade platinum silicone — not just "silicone"

Not all silicone is the same. The material you want is food-grade platinum silicone — a higher-purity form specifically manufactured for safe contact with food and babies' mouths. Budget plates from unknown sources often just say "silicone" without specifying grade or purity. Always look for "food-grade" or "platinum silicone" in the product description.

2. Independent safety certification

This is the one most parents don't think to check. A product can claim to be BPA-free all it likes — what actually matters is whether an independent testing laboratory has verified it. In the UK and Europe, look for products tested against EN 14372:2004, which is the European standard specifically for child feeding utensils. LFGB certification — Germany's food contact safety standard — is one of the strictest in the world and worth looking for too.

At For the Baby, our silicone plates are independently tested to EN 14372 and LFGB by accredited laboratories, and every colour is BPA-free and phthalate-free.

3. Suction base strength

This is the feature parents talk about most — and also the one that varies most between plates. The suction base on a good silicone weaning plate should create a genuinely firm grip on smooth high chair trays and tables. The flexibility of the silicone itself actually helps here — a more flexible material creates a better seal against the surface.

Things that reduce suction effectiveness: textured high chair trays (suction bases need a smooth surface), food or liquid getting under the rim, and cheap suction bases that simply don't have enough surface area. If you're struggling with a plate lifting off, try the smooth underside of a silicone placemat first — it makes a noticeable difference.

4. Divided sections — and how deep they are

Divided plates are particularly useful during baby-led weaning because they keep foods separate, which matters when you're introducing new textures and flavours and want to avoid everything mingling into one unidentifiable mush. Look at how deep the dividers actually are though — a shallow ridge won't stop a determined toddler pushing food over it.

5. Dishwasher safe — but check the small print

Most silicone baby plates are dishwasher safe, which is one of the main reasons parents choose them. But some plates have fabric inserts, painted decorations, or non-silicone components that can't go in the dishwasher. If dishwasher compatibility matters to you — and it almost certainly does at three mealtimes a day — check that the entire plate, not just "most of it," can go in.

6. Shape and engagement

This one matters more than it might sound. A baby who is interested in their plate is a baby who stays at the table longer, focuses on their food, and has a more positive association with mealtimes — all of which makes the weaning journey significantly easier. Fun shapes genuinely work. There's a reason our dinosaur plate outsells our plain round plate by a considerable margin.

Our Silicone Baby Plates — What's Available

Here's a quick guide to the silicone plates in our range and which type of family each one suits best.

Dinosaur Baby Plate
Our most popular silicone weaning plate, and it's easy to see why. The dinosaur shape is immediately engaging for babies and toddlers, available in dusty pink, dusty blue, and pale grey. Two proper sides rather than one side and a taster: three sections at 250, 200 and 200ml, on a 23.5 x 18cm plate that still fits a standard high chair tray. View the Dinosaur Baby Plate →

Silicone Hamburger Suction Plate
Three compartments built into the hamburger shape — one large section and two smaller ones — making it ideal for babies who are starting to explore a wider variety of foods at once. Available in dusty blue, dark blue, and dusty pink. Sections hold 250ml, 200ml and 200ml. It's our heaviest plate, at 286g, so it holds its ground. View the Hamburger Plate →

Silicone Suction Plate with 3 Compartments
The practical choice. No novelty shape, just a solid, well-made three-compartment suction plate that does exactly what you need it to. It's our lightest, at 153g and around 490ml in total, so it's the one for the changing bag. Dishwasher safe throughout, and a handy backup plate for nursery. View the 3-Compartment Plate →

Elephant Baby Plate
A beautifully designed elephant-shaped plate that works brilliantly as a gift. It holds 650ml in a 19cm square, at 228g, and the neutral tones work across any weaning setup. View the Elephant Baby Plate →

Squirrel Baby Plate
One of our most distinctive designs, and 25cm across — our widest, for laying finger foods out in a single layer. It makes a lovely baby shower or new parent gift. View the Squirrel Baby Plate →

Browse all our silicone baby plates in one place: Silicone Baby Plates →

Frequently Asked Questions

What age are silicone baby plates suitable from?
Silicone weaning plates are suitable from 6 months — the standard recommended age to begin introducing solid foods. Always supervise your baby during mealtimes.

Are silicone baby plates dishwasher safe?
Yes — all our silicone plates are fully dishwasher safe. Top rack is recommended for shaped plates to maintain their form over time.

Can silicone plates go in the microwave?
Yes. Food-grade silicone is microwave safe. You can warm food directly in the plate, which is handy for quick mealtimes.

How do I get the suction to stick properly?
Make sure the surface is smooth, dry, and clean before pressing the plate down. Press firmly from the centre outward. Avoid textured surfaces — silicone suction bases need a smooth, flat surface to grip effectively.

Are silicone plates better than bamboo for weaning?
It depends on your priorities. Silicone is more durable, dishwasher safe, and lower maintenance. Bamboo is natural, eco-friendly, and feels more like traditional crockery. Read our full bamboo vs silicone comparison guide to decide which suits your family best.

For the wider picture on suction plates and bowls in both bamboo and silicone, see our complete guide to baby suction plates and bowls.