How to actually get suction plates to suction!
A suction plate that actually stays put changes mealtimes (just read the reviews on our Suckie Scoop Plate). No flipped bowls, no spaghetti on the floor (well, less of it), and bub gets to practise self-feeding without the whole meal ending up on the dog. If your suction plate or bowl (from us) isn't gripping the way it should, it's almost always one of the things below — and they're all quick fixes. If it's a different brand and you're having these issues you can still try our tricks but we can't promise you will get the results of ours.
1. Start with the right surface
Suction needs a smooth, flat, clean and dry surface to seal against and work the best. Our plates still suction on some textured surfaces but they won't give the best results. That means:
- Smooth: high chair trays, laminate, glass and smooth timber work well. Heavily textured or grooved surfaces (rustic timber, woven placemats, tablecloths) break the seal.
- Clean: even a few crumbs under the base will let air in. Give the tray a wipe first.
- Dry: wipe away any water or milk before you press the plate down.
2. Check for oily residue — on the table AND the base
This one gets missed constantly. If last night's dinner left a film of oil on the high chair tray, or the suction base itself feels slightly slick after washing, the seal won't hold as well.
Wash the suction base in hot water with scent free detergent and rub it with your fingers until it feels squeaky, not slippery. Do the same wipe-down on the table or tray. An oil-free surface makes an enormous difference. (More on keeping silicone residue-free in our silicone care guide.)
3. The big one: press down in the MIDDLE, not the edges
Here's the step that fixes most suction problems. It's the firs thing we ask our customers when we're helping trouble shoot and it solves 99% of problems.
To activate the suction, you need to push down firmly in the centre of the plate or bowl — right in the middle of the base — not around the outside rim. Pressing the edges doesn't force the air out from under the suction base, so you never get a proper vacuum. Pressing the centre does.
Already dished up the food? No problem. Grab a grown-up spoon and use the back of it to press down firmly in the middle of the bowl or plate, in between the food. You'll feel it seal.
Give the plate a gentle sideways wiggle to test — if it's sealed properly, it shouldn't slide.
4. Removing it (without launching dinner)
Don't pull straight up from the middle — that's fighting the vacuum you just made. Lift from the edge or use the release tab, letting air break the seal first. Easy for you, near-impossible for little hands, which is exactly the point.
Quick troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Won't stick at all | Textured or dirty surface | Move to a smooth surface, wipe it down |
| Sticks then pops off | Oily residue | Hot soapy wash of base + surface |
| Weak seal | Pressed on the edges | Press firmly in the centre (use a grown-up spoon) |
| Slides around | Wet surface | Dry the tray before sealing |
Quick answers
Why won't my baby's suction plate stick?
Usually one of four things: a textured or dirty surface, oily residue on the base or table, a wet surface, or pressing around the edges instead of firmly in the centre of the base.
How do I make a suction plate stick with food already on it?
Use the back of a grown-up spoon to press down firmly in the middle of the plate or bowl, between the food. You'll feel the base seal to the surface.
Do suction plates work on wooden tables?
On smooth, sealed timber, yes. Rustic or grooved timber lets air under the base, so the seal won't hold — use a high chair tray or a smooth placemat instead.
Ready for mess-with-limits mealtimes? Shop our suction plates and bowls, and grab meal ideas from the recipe library.
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