Pouches, Ella’s kitchen etc.

There was an interesting panorama documentary about the pouches I watched on bbc the other day - I think the main issue was when they are being used daily as main meals because they found that the labelling and nutritional content was off and not as good for you as the packaging leads you to believe. I’d never judge anyone for using them but it it was an interesting watch and has put me off xx

I would 100% watch the BBC documentary just for awareness. I watched it this morning and it's put me off pouches - I can't believe some companies are just outright lying about the contents and then saying they know the labels are outdated but it's being sorted.... the other issues are that the government hasn't updated the baby food guidelines in I think 20 years??? I might be wrong but I thought it was early 2000s so these baby food companies can put out there what they want essentially. They have also come out since and said that they shouldn't make anything for a baby younger than 6 months even though they've put from 4 months on the package. Its entirely up to you what you do and I completely understand the time aspect - it's so hard to manage everything and pouches are convenient! I would NEVER judge anyone for feeding their baby pouches! People need to stop judging - mums have a hard enough time as it is! I think they're great to introduce first tastes so I'll still buy the odd pouch xxx

From what I gather, the pouches aren't bad for babies per se, the ingredients are fine. But the process they use to preserve them by heating the pouches means a lot of the nutrients are lost, vs preparing the same food at home. When I use pouches I tend to either mix in some home made veg puree or serve with some fresh steamed veggies to make sure my LO is getting what she needs. No one should feel ashamed about using them as it's hard enough raising our little ones without all the shaming xx

The way it look at it and thos may be right or wrong but if your child is over 1 year old and is no longer getting the nutrients they need from their milk then ypu shouldn't use the pouches as they don't have the right nutrients that growing toddler needs but as the nutrients babies need they get mainly from their milk it's should be OK as its all about getting the tastes and texture but keep it varied and do some homecooked meals as well

I think they're getting a worse rep now because of the panorama documentary that found that they have like 0 nutrients that babies need. In particular iron in the savory ones which is one of the most important ones because when they reach weaning age their iron stores start dropping. The fruit ones then have free sugars and up to like 17g in a pouch when the daily allowance for a 1 year old is 10g, never mind a 6m old. The companies have come under massive fire because They've intentionally misled parents into thinking they were ok and good stuff. I am weaning and was planning on picking some up because I also have a 4 year old step son at home and some days it would be easier. Then I've watched that and was just really disappointed in Ella's kitchen the most tbh. I've bought my own reusable pouches now to make my own.

They are FULL of sugar. If you read how many pieces of fruit goes into each pouch, you wouldn’t feed that amount to your baby in one go.

My son doesn’t really like pouches but out of curiosity, I’ve scanned them on the Yuka app and they tell you how good or bad they are. Some people use them for convenience and that’s fine. You have to do what’s best for you and your family. Every person is different.

I just can’t understand how a pouch of fruit is more convenient than just smooshing fresh fruit with a fork??? I really don’t understand how and why some people gravitate towards them so heavily

@Chloe I agree and waaaaaay more tastier!

A pouch advertised for a 4 month old baby contained MORE sugar in it than a 1 year old child should have in an entire day. Enough said!

@Sera Kay ✨ Not to mention the fact that they're not supposed to be advertised for 4 month olds in the first place!

I don't like the fact that pointing out the truth is seen as "mum shaming " just because you don't want to be confronted by your decisions.

@Sandrine love it girl

I think picking the savoury versions and checking the ingredients is the best way to find the healthiest ones.

@Rosie sadly the ingredients aren’t the issue it’s the packaging procedure they use that kills all the nutrients, protein and releases all the free sugars 👎🏽

@Rosie yeah unfortunately they found the savoury ones were completely lacking in iron which is the most important nutrient they need at that age because their stores drop. Savoury are better than the fruit sugar content wise you're right but it was the fact that all of them are completely lacking in the nutrients that babies need but are packaged and labelled as though they provide these nutrients and are "everyday faves" misleading parents into believing they can be fed daily. Which was the point from nutritionists.

@Bethan ah yes this makes sense. I think as an option though for one meal every now and then is fine... especially if its also exposing baby to new flavours?