Let's hear it for the dads! The days of dear old dad staying out of the nursery are a thing of the past — today's pops are redesigning the baby's room, bottle, and more. With more fathers taking on child-rearing responsibilities, they're upgrading lil one's gear with some touches that both moms and dads can appreciate. Just in time for Father's Day, meet the men who are making baby-raising healthier, easier, and more stylish than ever.
As parents we use products that make family life easier, safer, more fun — even more beautiful, but in the rigmarole of daily living, we don't often think about the people who created those items. We looked into a few of our favorite brands. Meet the mothers and fathers behind the bottle, the bedding, the baby food, the game, and the crib.
Did you ever picture a British man making your baby's food? Paul Lindley's pouches of organic purees have become a staple in many families' cupboards. The founder of Ella's Kitchen and father of two recently took the time to answer a few of my questions.
LilSugar: Why did you decide to create Ella’s Kitchen?
Paul Lindley: I created Ella's Kitchen because I thought that my daughter, Ella, and her generation, should have the chance to eat healthy, handy, and fun foods so families could discover that good food can be cool. I thought that if we could create foods that appealed to all babies and young children's senses, we'd be able to help find a way to encourage kids to develop healthier habits, early in life, leading to a happier future.
LS: What about pouch packaging made it appealing?
PL: The pouch itself is tactile and playable, which babies and toddlers love, as they quickly get at ease with the idea of eating from it. The straw or spout is perfect for little ones to squeeze and slurp themselves, giving them a little control in the feeding routine and empowering them, while being really easy for mom to squeeze onto a spoon to feed if that is easier. The resealable lid ensures that moms don't have to worry about finishing a whole pouch every time because the food will save, safely for later. The whole thing is so convenient for when moms are out and about that they find it so convenient to pop into their diaper bag or purse. The way we have branded the pouches also really engages babies and toddlers, the bright colors appeal to the youngest ones, and the simple language and images intrigue older toddlers. All in all, the pouch is a really great modern way to engage young children whilst providing real benefits to moms!
To see when the full line of Ella's Kitchen products will be available in the US and Lindley's take on fatherhood, read more
Where's the eats? Once baby gets the OK to have more than breast milk or formula, fruit and veggie purees quickly become a household staple to satiate wee appetites. Some tots can consume quite a bit, so we've run the numbers on how much it costs.
Caring for baby can cost a bundle! Check out all our It Adds Up! coverage.
My son is six months old and he's already part of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution! I've been through a bunch of different organic baby foods (both homemade and store bought) with my two older kids, but juggling three leaves a limited time for a mom to concoct her own edible creations. While the goal is to make foods from scratch for my lil one, I decided to try Ella's Kitchen's — squeezable fruit and veggie pouches moms laud. Started by a father in the UK who believes his children should eat the very best, the 3 oz. purees ($10.50 for 7 packs) come in fruit and vegetable medleys that are appetizing to adults!
Who is this product designed for? This product is perfect for parents on the go! If you're really in a jam and don't have a bowl and utensil on hand, a mama could probably even just squeeze the nutritious goodness right into her tot's mouth for a quick fix to calm the hunger pangs. (But, you didn't hear that from me!)
Is it practical? I've done baby food in jars, in tubs, and in containers — these squeezable packets with a snap off top are perfect for tossing in a diaper bag and storing in limited pantry space. They do not need to be refrigerated until they've been opened, but once they are the puree needs to be eaten within 48 hours.
To see what could be improved and if I'd buy it.
