Do You Know the Benefits of Using Silver Utensils for Kids?

Silver utensils for kids are among the most common and cherished gifts given when a newborn arrives. From pure silver bowls and spoons to silver plated sets, many parents receive beautifully crafted pieces in different shapes and sizes. However, with the rising price of silver in India, most gifts today tend to be silver plated, which may not offer the same health benefits as pure silver utensils.

Not everyone is born with a silver spoon, but in Indian households, gifting silverware to a newborn is a long standing tradition. One of the first and most auspicious gifts a baby receives is often a silver bowl, spoon, or glass. This tradition is not merely symbolic of status. It is rooted in the belief that silver has medicinal properties and is easier to maintain compared to metals like copper.

Silver spoons, bowls, and glasses are commonly gifted by relatives during their first visit to meet the baby. You may have also noticed silver plates being used in temples and babies being fed from silver utensils during special rituals.

This naturally leads to an important question for modern parents. Are silver utensils good for babies, and do they truly offer health benefits?

Are Silver Utensils Good for Babies?

This is one question many moms ask. If you would ask people from your older generation, the answer will be a yes. Our grandparents were healthier than us, and there are some very solid reasons for the same. Traditionally, in India, people ate in silver, until steel and other materials came in.

For some modern people, the question will have no answer. You will commonly read on the internet, that as there is no harm, kids can be fed in silver. But if the question is, are silver utensils good for babies; the answer will be there is no proof.

When I introduced solids to Little Miss A, I made it a point in feeding the baby in a silver bowl. I would say again, scientifically there might be no proof of the benefits of using silver utensils for kids, but silverware is known to be good and has many advantages. 

The post, A Comprehensive Guide on Introducing Solid Food to Your Baby will help all mothers who are starting to introduce solids.

Can I Use a Silver Spoon to Feed my Baby?

I remember seeing a new mother ask on social media, “Can I use a silver spoon to feed my baby?” It is a common concern when babies begin their solid food journey.

When a baby starts eating solids, a spoon becomes one of the most frequently used feeding tools. At this stage, babies are not just eating, they are exploring textures, practicing hand coordination, and learning self feeding skills. The focus is not only on feeding them but also on allowing them to discover food independently.

As mothers, we encourage spoon use during this phase. I clearly remember keeping two spoons and sometimes two bowls during mealtimes. One was for Miss A to hold, explore, and attempt self feeding, and the other was for me to feed her properly. I mostly preferred using silver utensils for her once she started solids.

Plastic for the kids is convenient, but safety is an issue. With issues of BPA, many parents like me avoid plastics for the baby. It is here, that silver spoons and utensils are considered as an option for the baby. Let us read on if it is good to use silverware for babies and if has benefits.

Silver has benefits but the question is what is the right time to introduce silverware to kids. When the kids are starting solids, a rubber or silicone spoon is good to be given to them. Parents can start using silver, but they need to be careful as they don’t try to bite hard and hurt their gums.

I will add here, while the plate, bowls, and glass used by Miss A has always been silver, the spoons and cutlery have changed as per the phase she is in. The time when she was teething, she would try and hold the spoon, and thus, we shifted to silicone ones to avoid any injury.

Benefits of Using Silver Utensils for Kids

The use of silver utensils for kids varies from family to family. However, there are certain traditionally believed and scientifically discussed benefits associated with feeding babies in silverware.

Bacteria Free

Silver bowls and cutlery are bacteria-free and this is one of the main benefits of using silver utensils for kids. And since silver is 100% bacteria-free, there is no need to sterilize the utensils after each meal and a simple wash with baby-friendly cleaning agents and water is enough to make it healthy for use again.

Immunity Booster

Silver has long been associated with antibacterial properties. Many parents believe that feeding warm food in silver utensils may help reduce exposure to harmful microbes. While silver itself does not directly boost immunity, maintaining hygienic feeding practices can contribute to overall health.

Non-toxic

Properly crafted silver utensils are considered safe for use. Unlike certain plastics, silver does not contain harmful chemicals such as BPA. It does not easily leach into food and is generally regarded as a safer long term option when compared to low quality plastic alternatives.

Retains Freshness

Traditionally, silver has been used to store and serve food because of its perceived ability to maintain freshness. Babies often take longer to finish meals, and silver bowls are believed to help preserve food quality for a longer duration compared to some other materials.

Keeps Baby’s Body Temperature Controlled

Newborn babies are often made to wear silver anklets and rings because of silver’s properties to keep the body cool. Feeding a newborn in silverware maintains the body temperate and prevents excessive heating up.

In fact, I remember when Miss A was a year and a half old, she had a very high fever due to dengue. My grandmother told me to rub a silver spoon on her feet in an upward motion and that will bring down the temperature. And it did! Sometimes, these things sound nonsensical but if they have a scientific reason, they are not always illogical.

Easy Maintenance and Lasts Long

Silver is easy to maintain and can be used for generations together without any issue. Utensils made of other materials cannot be passed from child to other, whereas silver is known to be passed from one generation to the other.

Silver is easy to wash and sterilize and it can only get a few scratches and dents but does not break and pose a risk of injuring the baby.  If you want help cleaning silver, the video will help

How to use silverware for your baby?

Once your baby transitions from exclusive breastfeeding to solid foods, you can begin using the silverware gifted to you. Juices and liquids can be served in small silver glasses, while purees, mashed foods, and other solids can be offered in silver bowls or plates using a silver spoon. Introducing silver utensils during the weaning stage allows you to combine tradition with safe feeding practices.

Tips to Buy Silver Utensils for Your Baby

Silver is valuable and durable, but there are important factors to consider before purchasing silver utensils for kids. While there are several benefits of using silver utensils for babies, choosing the right design and quality is essential.

Buy from a reputed and trusted store to ensure the silver is pure and minimally adulterated. Authentic silver ensures better durability and safety.

Choose spoons with smooth, rounded edges to prevent injury while feeding. The spoon should also be lightweight enough for your baby to hold comfortably during self feeding.

Opt for simple and minimal designs rather than heavily carved or intricate patterns. Detailed engravings can trap food particles and make cleaning difficult. Simple designs are easier to maintain and more hygienic.

Select utensils that are appropriately sized for children. Baby sized bowls, spoons, and glasses are easier to grip and handle compared to adult sized silverware.

When feeding your baby in a silver bowl or plate, choose slightly heavier options to reduce the risk of tipping over. Stability helps prevent spills and mess during mealtime.

Avoid serving foods high in sulphur, such as eggs, directly in silver utensils, as sulphur can react with silver and affect its appearance and taste.

You can also read our post on must have baby feeding essentials when you start weaning for more guidance on safe and practical feeding choices.

Read the post, 10 Must Have Baby Feeding Essentials When You Start Weaning

Silver Utensils for Kids

Silver has a lot of good qualities which are good for the baby. Since my daughter was six months old and we started feeding her solids, she has used silverware. Besides the medicinal benefits, it ensures she is not eating in plastic plates and spoons and also is not breaking the glass ones and hurting herself.

Though times have changed and mothers of our generation do things differently, but, there are some things which our grandmothers did and which were good for the baby; silver utensils being one of them.