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The Mini Mat is a one-piece silicone plate and placemat that suctions to the table, so a baby learning to feed themselves cannot fling it on the floor. It is sized for highchairs and smaller portions, which makes it a sensible first plate from around six months when you are starting solids or baby-led weaning.
What to look for
- A genuine seal. The whole base should grip a clean, flat surface, not just a small ring, so it stays put when little hands tug at it.
- Food-grade silicone. Look for one piece with no glued parts, free from BPA and PVC, and safe for the dishwasher and microwave.
- Sensible compartments. Shallow, divided sections suit tiny portions and stop everything sliding into one soggy pile.
Our pick
This is a flat silicone mat with a small divided plate moulded into it, all in a single piece. The base sticks firmly to a highchair tray or table, which means far less food on the floor and far less wiping up afterwards. The portion sizes suit a baby or younger toddler, roughly six to eighteen months, and it rolls up small enough for the nappy bag. It wipes clean easily and goes in the dishwasher, so it earns its keep at most meals.
Worth saying you do not need the priciest plate going. A reliable suction base and easy cleaning matter far more than the colour or any clever extras, and a well-made silicone mat like this should last well past the weaning stage.