I'm pleased to share my recent interview with Charley Brinton, founder of Baby Meals.
Babymeals.net provides all the information you need in one place for feeding your children from introducing solids (also known as weaning in the UK) through to toddler-hood. You’ll also find advice and inspiration from parents, government and health sources to help you get your baby off to the healthiest start in life.
Q) Where did the idea for Baby Meals originate? What/Who inspired it?
A) I have been working on it for about a year and half between working and having another baby etc. Had the idea after weaning my daughter, and as a first time mum getting really confused about how to wean and what to feed etc, and really determined to feed good, healthy food. Found that the useful information was dotted all over the place so just thought a website dedicated to weaning and feeding might be quite useful. And even now with 2 toddlers I struggle for inspiration and trying to keep their diets a bit varied. And then there's the huge issue of childhood obesity, so would like to do something in that direction too. I'm hoping to have a nutritionist involved by the end of the month as well, just to certify the information and help people feel more confident about it.
I come from a really foodie family, but my mum has always been really strict about what we ate (not sweets or chocolates or fizzy drinks when we were young for example) so I guess that's been passed on (although I'm not as strict perhaps). Also my babies are both quite big with huge appetites, which is great in some ways, but really hard in others because they want to eat all the time, which means giving them the right food is so much more important. And between my mum, the health visitors, other parents and all the information on the web, I got quite confused when it came to weaning. Just thought bringing it all into one place, as concisely as possible, would help other parents. And also tying in the recipe exchange part because I really struggle for inspiration for some meal times! And I know a lot of parents, particularly working ones, reach for the jars much more than they used to, for precisely this reason. And yet making your own is better for your kids, more economical, and better for the environment.
Q) What has been the response?
A) Everyone who's fed back thinks the sites great, although the only people who've added on recipes are mums already online. I'm trying to work out how to make it easier to add to and use the recipe part. Also I think second time mums kind of feel they don't need that kind of resource, but I think for inspiration and information like allergies which may not have been needed with the first baby, could be quite useful.
Q) What are the next steps for Baby Meals? How can we help?
A) Well I'm going to add a review and recommendations section for equipment and ready made baby/childrens food (because let's face it, we don't all have time to cook all the time!) And also want to add an eco section about growing food, eating in season, teaching kids about where the food comes from etc.
Q) How do people get involved/get in touch with you?
A) Getting involved is all through the website - if people want to use the forums or leave comments and recipes they need to register but I think the registering process is so easy I'm hoping it doesn't put people off. And people can email me through the site, or follow on Twitter etc.
Q) What are your top 3 tips for family meals?
A) Hmmm, top three tips... No telly on so you can chat about things (and can then use it as a bribe to get the kids to eat their veg - is that bad?). Try and sit down as a family at least all meals at the weekend if it isn't possible in the week. And get your baby eating what you're all eating as quickly as possible (minus the salt obviously), evening sharing off your plate can help develop their taste buds.
Babymeals.net provides all the information you need in one place for feeding your children from introducing solids (also known as weaning in the UK) through to toddler-hood. You’ll also find advice and inspiration from parents, government and health sources to help you get your baby off to the healthiest start in life.
Q) Where did the idea for Baby Meals originate? What/Who inspired it?
A) I have been working on it for about a year and half between working and having another baby etc. Had the idea after weaning my daughter, and as a first time mum getting really confused about how to wean and what to feed etc, and really determined to feed good, healthy food. Found that the useful information was dotted all over the place so just thought a website dedicated to weaning and feeding might be quite useful. And even now with 2 toddlers I struggle for inspiration and trying to keep their diets a bit varied. And then there's the huge issue of childhood obesity, so would like to do something in that direction too. I'm hoping to have a nutritionist involved by the end of the month as well, just to certify the information and help people feel more confident about it.
I come from a really foodie family, but my mum has always been really strict about what we ate (not sweets or chocolates or fizzy drinks when we were young for example) so I guess that's been passed on (although I'm not as strict perhaps). Also my babies are both quite big with huge appetites, which is great in some ways, but really hard in others because they want to eat all the time, which means giving them the right food is so much more important. And between my mum, the health visitors, other parents and all the information on the web, I got quite confused when it came to weaning. Just thought bringing it all into one place, as concisely as possible, would help other parents. And also tying in the recipe exchange part because I really struggle for inspiration for some meal times! And I know a lot of parents, particularly working ones, reach for the jars much more than they used to, for precisely this reason. And yet making your own is better for your kids, more economical, and better for the environment.
Q) What has been the response?
A) Everyone who's fed back thinks the sites great, although the only people who've added on recipes are mums already online. I'm trying to work out how to make it easier to add to and use the recipe part. Also I think second time mums kind of feel they don't need that kind of resource, but I think for inspiration and information like allergies which may not have been needed with the first baby, could be quite useful.
Q) What are the next steps for Baby Meals? How can we help?
A) Well I'm going to add a review and recommendations section for equipment and ready made baby/childrens food (because let's face it, we don't all have time to cook all the time!) And also want to add an eco section about growing food, eating in season, teaching kids about where the food comes from etc.
Q) How do people get involved/get in touch with you?
A) Getting involved is all through the website - if people want to use the forums or leave comments and recipes they need to register but I think the registering process is so easy I'm hoping it doesn't put people off. And people can email me through the site, or follow on Twitter etc.
Q) What are your top 3 tips for family meals?
A) Hmmm, top three tips... No telly on so you can chat about things (and can then use it as a bribe to get the kids to eat their veg - is that bad?). Try and sit down as a family at least all meals at the weekend if it isn't possible in the week. And get your baby eating what you're all eating as quickly as possible (minus the salt obviously), evening sharing off your plate can help develop their taste buds.
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