hi megsmum - the net thingy is this thing like a dummy, but instead of the teat, it has a small net, you open to the top of it and put food in it, then the baby can suck on the food but not get any large chunks that could choke them. I put pieces of cold apple, nectarine and banana in it and let him suck away on it. He usually sucks the banana and nectarine through it (they kind of mush it as they suck) and the cold apple is great for teeting. You can put meat in it also, so they the nutrients without actually eating it. Also, frozen water melon, rock melon etc is great, cold on their gums, but yummy to suck on the juice. I got mine from target. But im pretty sure they are eveywhere.