I buy Apple/Carrot Crushers from Trader Joe’s on a regular basis. The format is like the other products you see above, and my kids love it.
When I went to the Fancy Food Show in San Francisco with my mom last month, I saw a bunch more squeezable items and thought the new baby food packaging was pretty cool. I never felt great about throwing a glass jar of baby food into my diaper bag — a pouch seems safer for transport.
Note that a couple of the items above have really big caps. That’s because the manufacturers are meeting the guidelines for safety re: choking.
(I love this packaging from Revolution Food.)
So what do you think? Weird? Yum?
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I have been trying the “if my grandma wouldn’t recognize it as food then is it food…” way of thinking…but we still walked out of Target last week with a pack of go gurt type treats. I need to get myself to a Trader Joes – Everyone is talking about it!
We love them! The Trader Joe’s ones are smaller which is the only downfall. We have the go go squeeze brand at our local Harris Teeter and I just take the cap and dispose of it before handing it to my son. He eats it all in one sitting so no need to save it! And no mess! Did I mention we LOVE these???
My son will not eat commercial baby food. I have been making everything from fresh and/or frozen from the start, including porridge. He will eat a small amount of commercial cereal if he figures out there isn’t another option, but we almost never use it anyway. I’ve tried a dozen or so jars when we have gone out and about and he refuses to eat them. He just cries.
Turns out that my frugal nature has made him rather picky – but I tasted the string beans we were trying to get him to eat and I don’t blame him for turning up his nose.
At any rate, I grabbed a Plum Baby pouch on a whim – I believe it was pears and mango? HE LOVED IT! I think the pouches are fresher or something? I tasted it, too and I would eat that stuff by the bowlful. Can’t say the same about the other stuff we tried. And we are about 95% organic, so I love that most of the pouches are organic.
How chunky are the Trader Joe’s kind? I have seen them but they are not labelled for babies.
My 17 month old daughter LOVES the squishems and they are great to throw in the diaper bag for after swim class.
Would love to find more varieties but the dole ones were the first I’ve ever seen
Calgary, AB
I have mixed feelings about the pouches. My kids *love* them and would eat a whole box at a time if I let them, and they are really convenient to take along for snacks. I wish they made veggie versions (the only ones I’ve seen are the apple-carrot ones at TJ’s). I don’t like the wasteful packaging, though. I doubt the pouches are worse than the fruit cups, but it’s still one more thing that needs to be recycled. Buying a big jar of applesauce is cheaper and uses less packaging. You can’t really take that along in your purse though.
I gotta say that I love/hate these things. I *might* buy them for an airplane flight or to have on hand *just in case* but, for every day use, I loathe the extra packaging.
Call me old-fashioned and cheap — it’s true, I know it — but I know I will save money by buying the large container of applesauce and rationing it into little take-and-toss containers (which I never toss). The same is true of my own purees.
Then again, they look hecka fun.
World of no. For so many reasons. I want my kids to have real food, to be accustomed to eating whole unprocessed foods. I don’t want to be consuming and disposing all that unnecessary packaging. And every time my toddler lays hold of a juice pouch she turns it into a weapon to spray her sister. Who wants to be cleaning that up all the time?
Yeah, I get the packaging issues and the extra cost is significant. I’m fairly conscientious about waste, but also believe that we are all a happier family if I make some choices that make my life easier. (Baby carrots over old fashioned carrots for example.) Yes, packaged snacks and premade baby food cost more, but being able to pack a bag in seconds means less hassle to get out the door. Plus the kids LOVE it and it’s healthy (apple/carrot puree for example), so my final conclusion is that it’s a win. (At least the organic brands. Not so sure about Dole.)
@Wendy, Happy Baby pouches include some veggie blends, but I don’t know if babes as old as yours would dig it. Check it here: http://www.happybabyfood.com/our-products/happybabypouches/stage2
@Jennifer, one of my kids didn’t like store-bought food and the other ONLY liked store-bought baby food! I felt such rejection when she turned up her nose at my food. Odd that she was the one who jumped right to table food and has the more adventurous pallet.
I use a bento style lunch box for my kids (age 7 and 11) so I can fill the containers and save on packaging. However, they LOVE all the squeezable things–apple sauce, yoghurt, etc–so I find myself buying them because it means they’ll eat the healthy stuff. It’s a compromise I make and hope to make up for the packaging waste in other areas of our lives. When they were babies all the squeezable stuff made such a big mess since they had to do everything themselves (and rightfully so!) and the coordination of squeezing-mouth-t-shirt was always a challenge. A little extra laundry was never that big of deal.
I have mixed feelings about them, too. I try to make fresh food for my 14-month old son as much as possible, and also hate extra packaging, but tend to keep some baby food jars on hand for those inevitable times where I haven’t been to the grocery store and don’t have anything ready to quick-thaw from the freezer. My little guy is now going through a phase — I *hope* it’s only a phase! — where he only wants to eat finger foods, turns away from anything spoon-fed, and spits out any veggie he accidentally puts in his mouth. Given this convergence of trends, in the last week or so I’ve been grateful that he’s wolfed down the Plum Baby purees, which I originally bought for outings but have resorted to at regular mealtimes lately as well. He’s tried apple/carrot and spinach/pear/pea, and he practically pants for more. I think it’s part taste (sweeter than steamed carrots or peas alone) and certainly requires less chewing effort, but there’s surely an element of fun-of-squirting-things-in-mouth, too. I will keep offering him the real fresh veggies along with fresh fruit (which he’s fine with), but in the meantime I’m glad these pouches exist.
For some reason, my son always seems to make more of a mess with the squeezable snacks than he does with a spoon. Regardless, though, I think they’re great for road trips or on the go snacks. When we’re at home, and I have my “good mommy hat” on, I prefer for him to practice his spoon-handling skills.
Seems like I’m on board with everyone else. Packaging issues, sure, but good for “on the go” or a flight or something. And what would we do without Trader Joes?
I generally don’t want to feed my 8 month old son anything that I wouldn’t want to eat so I prefer to make all of his food. That being said, I saw the plum organic pouches at Babies R Us and had to try the Peach and Mango flavors. They are so yummy and easy that we are hooked. I stocked up on lots of flavors for our umcoming trip to the Bay Area to visit family. I don’t want to spend my vacation steaming and pureeing!
My homemade-fed (picky) baby loves the go-go squeeze – as do I, it’s real applesauce, and yummy, so it fulfills both the “real food” and “food I would eat” categories. Yeah, it’s a convenience item that I leave in the diaper bag and pull out once every couple of months in a desperate moment. But I don’t feel bad about those moments- I have a happy, fed baby who ate real food on the go.
I want to love them for convenience issues. I tried to keep them for emergency car snacks for my then 16 months old. Practically though, they are a nightmare. My son takes great delight in squishing all of the product out just to see it ooze. They are a messy disaster. Since I need to supervise him eating it, it takes away the convenience factor.
My nine month old LOVES them! They even sell them in Starbucks now (Peter Rabbit Organics brand) and I couldn’t help buying him one yesterday when I bought myself coffee. They are great to just throw in a diaper bag for an emergency stash, but since they are pricey, I don’t use them everyday. It seems like he liked it more now that he’s a little older too, we tried one a few months ago and he didn’t like the idea at all.
The do not work for us and I am shocked that they are so popular. When I try to get him to eat this, my 21-month old takes a few sucks, then just squeezes the packet and makes an aggravating MESS. I suspect this is because he is just not that fond of the contents. He never took to purees and went straight to finger food. Though I would not use these regularly, I hoped that it would be a good traveling resource. Instead, just a mess!!!
@Wendy – Plum organics also makes some veggie and fruit blends. I’m with you, I wish they would make MORE veggie ones! I love the packaging because it’s easier to transport than a glass jar, no lids to pop off like a plastic tub, and best of all, my 18 month old can just feed himself one with NO MESS. He thinks they are so fun, which is why I wish there were more veggie ones!
Yum! We’ve used them as a quick, healthy snack for *us* when out and about. (3.5 year old and mommy)
My daughter LOVES these but they ONLY place we can find them is Babies R Us. Ella’s Kitchen makes some great ones too!
I am a first time mom of a very busy 9 month old boy. Who not only is way too busy to be bothered by this whole sit and eat thing, but is also a very picky eater. I also believe in feeding him things that I would eat and make almost everything he eats (hiding veggies as much as possible.) But I have found the best pouch food for when we are out and about, it’s Sprouts Organics. I love them because they come in fruit & veggie, easy to transport, and the ingredient list is short. A pouch and a spoon is all I need! I sometimes take squash or peas pouch and mix in a trader joes apple sauce crusher. Both don’t take up much room in a diaper bag and by mixing it in the pouch I avoid some of the mess caused by a need to just see the contents of a squeezable sauce packet ooze between fingers! Gotta love boys! I also find a fist full of cheerios helps distract a lip clamper just long enough for him to taste that what your offering may just be worth eating!
A Trader Joes employee told me the pouches can be rinsed out and refilled using a flavor injector or turkey baster. Has anyone tried this. It seems very cost effective plus you have total control over what’s in the pouch. I would love to go back to making organic purées for my son.
Refilling them works! Also . . . I’ve discovered that lots of foods that are snubbed in a bowl are happily slurped up when presented in this same squeeze/ suck scenario. Straws jabbed into carrot puree sometimes work wonders. Carrot puree alone, however, is never consumed.
never tried refilling… but i might. seems like a good idea. my toddler loves them, we call them all applesauce regardless of the contents, and add a color descriptor to help me know what packaging he’s wanting. purple applesauce? right oh (plum baby flavors all get to be purple because of the cap color). it’s an easy way to get the veggies (otherwise it’s not worth the money) into him if it’s one-of-those-days…and on THOSE days, i’m all for a 75cent snack instead of a 20cent one. totally worth it. we found them first at trader joe’s, but after hunting for more veggie options, i ended up in the babyfood isle at whole foods—on sale only.
I buy them all the time for my son. We take them on outside play dates at the park, pool, etc. He is super happy — even when the kid next to him is munching on a cookie.
I love them… I am going to try to refill them. I’ve been looking for a reusable squeeze pouch that you can buy so I can make my own. Has anyone found anything like that?
All baby foods work with the Help Yourself Feeding Solution. Insert baby food containers, homemade or commercial, feed the baby toss the container. Mark Industries LLC has a great NEW product that works with baby food pouches. It is by far the coolest thing, it’s three things in one and works with EVERY baby food pouch on the market. Moms are always looking for items that multitask – the designer at Mark Industries is a mother of twins!
Here are some squeeze tubes I found. They look like they are quite a bit larger than the ones you buy in the store, but you could put as much applesauce, etc. in as you want. Worth a try for 3.50.
http://www.opentip.com/Home-Garden/Replace-Clipssqueeztube-Squeeze-Tubes-Food-Cookware-By-Liberty-Mountain-p-1710785.html
I use a $1 condiment bottle from walmart to refill the go go squeeze pouches. Just squeeze the pouch flat, stick the bottle nozzle in, and squeeze the bottle until the pouch is almost full. Keep it refrigerated though of your not using them immediately. I’m a dad. I hope it is ok to post on a mom’s board!
i love the “pouch” food i don’t use it every day its way cheaper to buy the glass jars of baby food (i also try to avoid buying apple or banana baby food i would rather buy a large jar of apple sauce or fresh bananas that are easy to mush) for the people asking about if theses are ok for babies because they arnt marketed as baby food, its fruit puree as long as your using 2nd foods as is it doesn’t matter. also BOON brand has a screw on spoon that is marketed for the plum baby food pouches but it works on all of the brands mentioned in this article including trader joes (i just bought a pack of the crushers yesterday and tried it out) its defiantly more convention in the diaper bag (you dont need ot pack a bowl or anything)but has way to much waist and mark up for daily use
Great Idea Matt. Dad’s have good ideas too :O
Does the nozzle you are using pass the plastic tip on top of the pouch? How do you clean out the old pouch for reusing?
I would love to add Greek yogurt and applesauce together for a more proteinishous snack, oh and of course cinnamon and honey. YUMMO
We love these as a treat or to trick her into eating more fruits and veggies. I agree with other moms that something about the squeeze/suck variety convinces her to eat something she wouldn’t on a spoon. Right now my 14month old hates purees, but doesn’t eat too many fruits or veggies and she loves all the Plum brands pouches especially the blueberry-pear-carrot one. I only buy them on sale and use them to add more variety to meals when she’s being picky or even better throw them in my purse for a easy snack while we’re out and about.
I love the idea of refilling them and may try that too!
Check out the the Beaba Babypote! They look awesome. I just ordered one.
Have a Babypote and my grandson loves his mash potatoes and gravy in them.
I have come to the conclusion that our parental selfishness in the name of ‘convenience’ will be the downfall of America. Did you know you can delay an infants physical, emotional and cognitive development by NOT holding them or interacting with them during meals? Sheesh people, they’re little humans, not chia pets! I bout died when I saw this the other day. Get off your arse and parent! This single mom doesn’t wanna hear “it’s hard!”
I have been looking for solutions for my little one who only wants finger foods or to suck and not eat from a spoon, thanks everyone for the great tips! Note to Jill, just because a baby is eating from a pouch instead of a bowl does not mean a parent is not holding or interacting with them at mealtime. Some babies eat finger foods only, some eat from pouches, some eat out of bowls, whatever. Perhaps you misunderstood these posts. Great for you if your child is able to get the food into his or her mouth in a way you approve of. Please let the rest of us find methods that work for our children so that they can enjoy nutritious food. This is a forum about eating, not about judging people you don’t know.
Your original question was where to find reusable squeeze pouches for your baby. Here is a link to some reusable squeeze items used for backpacking that may just work for you…good luck. http://www.rei.com/product/696007/coghlans-squeeze-tubes-package-of-2
And by the way….to everyone else who failed to provide a feasible solution and just used this woman’s question as an opportunity to go on about your opinions and pat yourselves on the back for your amazing parenting, zip it. She asked a simple question. Don’t be ridiculous and judgemental, everyone parents differently and just because you give your child babyfood in a pouch doesn’t mean you are neglecting your baby or that you love them any less. Enough already! Let’s all support one another instead of this constant judgement, it’s just sad. Love the turkey baster idea…going to try it. Thanks to those who use these forums to be supportive and helpful.
Good for you, Matt! Thanks for the suggestion. And AMEN to Christine Cherry! You took the words right outta my mouth! Thanks to all who actually made helpful suggestions.
Have any of you seen this new product that is out there called “The Sili Squeeze”? It is amazing! My son loved eating out the disposable pouches also and I hated paying the big bucks for it. I felt that it was such a waste when I knew I could make my very own food but nothing out there was as mess free as the Sili Squeeze.
The SQUEEZE is perfect for pureed foods such as applesauce, blended berries and veggie blends. They even have recipes on their website. The best thing is I am a Mom of 2! (I have a 3 year old and a 4 month old) and I am always on the GO! I own and operate a Stroller Strides Franchise so this is the perfect snack – Healthy and Easy to use – while in the Stroller or the Car Seat!
Their website is http://www.thesilico.com
I just wanted to throw my two cents in as to the refillable pouch alternatives. First off I would be really careful if you are going to refill the pouches. I was doing that but I realized they looked kinda puffed up. I thought I had cleaned them really well but I think it is next to impossible with all the nooks and cranies and the size of the spouts! So I bought both the Beaba Babypote and the Sili Squeeze. Mind you both are expensive $13-$15 but I was excited to have a eco friendly option that by son could eat from without me.
I was especially excited about the Sili Squeeze because this product is clearly a Mom invented product. (by the way the review above is by the inventor’s friend)
I was really disappointed with both of the silicone squeeze containers, they are both hard to fill and clean. I like to freeze the big batches and I couldn’t possibly buy enough of these to freeze in the container and reheat. Until there is a better alternative I am resigned to using the pouches and paying the premium for the convenience.
sounds like the disposable pouch companies are paying their pr team a hefty price to tackle these blogs lol both the babypote and sili squeeze can be freezed and cleaned with baby bottle brushes, I have both. we only buy disposable ones for plane trips. this is a new day and age of be eco minded, saving money and being aware of the foods we put in our baby’s bellies.
I love the Babypote I have 3. I use one for yogurt for me on the go when I need a snack in the car. I just ordered the the Sili Squeeze.
I’m hardly a paid PR person, just a Mom with a picky eater who will eat nearly anything I out his way as long as its in a pouch. I have run the gamut to find a cheaper alternative and first thought of reusing the ones i get from trader joe’s. But I’m afraid of the bacterial contamination and other Mom’s should be too! I am okay with it if I refill right away- but that isn’t practical for large batches. Enter the silicone reusables – silisquezze and babypote. I still was having the problem with filling them without stuff going everywhere, even with a funnel, and then I still am not able to make my large batches and freeze ahead. Well I would if I were willing to couch up $200 to get 15 of the pouches. Sure you Can use the reusable silicone pouches and I’m sure many do but I am simply unwilling to pay the cost to make it convient! And I’m too busy to make a small batch and fill one or two pouches.
I really bought the Sili Squeeze cuz I read website and think it is cool that it is Mom invented. It is annoying to me when companies promote their products on Blogs. Anne definitely has a Sili Squeeze connection- I remember the inventors article had a stroller strides reference.
Anyway- Pouches are great- and if the reusable ones were cheaper I’d probably like those too.
I found this discussion as I was looking for DIY squeezable pouches. My daughter is boycotting veggies but LOVES these pouches. I wanted to be able to make my own but didn’t know how to package it, then I found Sili Squeeze. It’s a reusable pouch so you can make your own (for those packaging conscience mamas). I just ordered mine so can’t speak to how good they are yet but did find a coupon code for 10% off (SILITINYORANGES). Just thought I’d share as I see most people are against the pouches due to excessive packaging.
Andrea you will love them I have ordered 6 so far for my grand babies. My 16 month old grandson loves mashed potatoes and gravy in them. I will be ordering more they are a great baby shower gift
@Cathy, you mentioned previously you had 3 of the babypote ones and also that you ordered the sili squeeze? Which do you prefer?
My LO just turned a year and won’t eat purees from a spoon, but loves them from the pouches. I have a huge stock of purees still and want to use them up. She also isn’t a big fan of veggies when she sees them in their natural form on her plate. She is very independent and wants to feed herself everything but won’t feed herself veggies unless they are in disposable pouches. I am also concerned about the bacteria that could build up in the disposable ones if I try to reuse them, so I have not tried it. I found this blog searching for a way to make my own pouches, and came across the sili squeeze and babypote as well…I’ve read mixed reviews on both. I also have to wash all by hand since I don’t have a dishwasher and am curious on how well they both wash by hand. The sili squeeze looks like it would be easier to wash by hand than that babypote, but that’s just from me looking at pictures. So lost on which one to try!
I have both and they both are easy to wash. The Sili is the one I prefer hands down. We have 6 and will order more in the future. The biggest PRO is they DO NOT LEAK even when stepped on the Pote it is all over the floor. (Cathy replied)
I wish yogourt and pudding came in these. Best things to pack along for my 2 year old. Plus no spoons or mess. I can’t wait until there is more that fruit and vegetable purees in this packaging
Tiffany I prefer the Sili Squeeze for the little ones I use the Potes for me with yogurt on the run. The Silis do not leak.