It would be pertinent to say that while parents are selecting appropriate utensils for feeding a baby, they rely on tradition and materials that are safe for their little ones. Of all these, silver bowls and spoons have remained the most famous course over several years especially with cultures that believed in the healing and hygienic properties of the metal. Most of the utensils recommended for babies are those made out of silver, but why is that so? Let’s check out the interesting aspect of buying in your little one – silver bowls and spoons.
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1. Natural Antibacterial Properties
Indeed, one of the biggest advantages of silver utensils is the fact that the metal has inherent antibacterial, as well as antimicrobial, characteristics. Silver has a unique ability to suppress bacteria, fungi, and viruses. If placed in a silver spoon or bowl, there is a likelihood that some unsafe germs shall not access the food that is meant to feed a baby hence a cleaner way of feeding a child. During the first years of life when the immune systems of children are not yet very developed this added layer of protection can be of great use.
2. Non-Toxic and Hypoallergenic
Silver is entirely safe for the skin as it is non-toxic and hypoallergenic and this makes it perfect for use by babies and people with sensitive skin. Plastic utensils may contain BPA and other chemicals which may affect your health, whereas silver is a pure natural metal that has no qualities of leaching nasty things into food.
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The following are some general features that parents can be assured of when using this material.
1. Improved Digestion
In traditional medicine, it has been known that silver works wonders in the body including helping in digestion. The rationale for this is that when the food is placed in silverware, then some of the silver ions are transferred to the food, and this improves the process of digestion.
2. Durability and Longevity
In contrast to the plastic utensils that get damaged through wear and tear and can even break to pieces, these bowls and spoons are made of silver, and hence are very hardy. These can handle daily use, washing, and other handling requirements without fading, shrinking, or coming out of shape. This makes them durable and can be used for generations which actually makes them a good investment. It is also common to find families considering silver baby utensils as valuable possessions as they are functional and have emotional value as well.
3. Temperature Regulation
Silver has very good heat transfer coefficients that is, it immediately conforms with the nature of the food it is handling. This feature can be useful for parents when feeding babies, in particular, the silver bowls and spoons can maintain the temperature of the food well, so it will remain hot for a longer time, or at least will not cool down very quickly. This aids in decreasing the likelihood of a burn or discomfort whilst feeding.
4. Chemical-free and Environmentally Friendly
Silverware is a better and safer product for feeding utensils such as plastics or silicone which when disposed of, let out toxins into the environment. Silver utensils can last for many years and this means that people can avoid using disposable products for many years to save the environment.
Tradition and Cultural Significance
For many people giving a baby a silver bowl or spoon is considered to be a symbol of happiness, health, and wealth. It is a tradition that silverware is handed down from one generation to another or sometimes is a luxurious gift for a newborn, a first birthday, or newborn rituals. Silver spoons or bowls make simple and routine feeding more traditional and classic as they pass on tradition from one generation to the other. Well, there are some other reasons to connect the silver bowl & spoon to our traditions and they are:
- Silver is a symbol of purity and holiness and as per our cultural beliefs, using these for small babies keeps them free from illness and helps to maintain good health. We can even say that the silverware is considered as protection for the child from recurring health issues.
- Whether you talk about European countries or Asian countries, people gift silver utensils to the newborn because they follow the time-honoured tradition. In most families, you will see these gifts passing down the generation and connecting the roots altogether.
- As silver is connected with the sign of wealth & prosperity, people believe that gifting the silver utensils will bring success and prosperity for the small baby. They actually follow the phrase – Born with a Silver Spoon in the mouth.
- In some cultures, people say that silver protects the baby from negative energies and evil eyes. So, to provide spiritual protection to the baby, they use silver bowls and spoons to feed the baby, especially during his vulnerable early years.
