Oxo Tot...Perfect for Snacking

I recently reviewed an Oxo Tot Training Plate and Cutlery Set.  I was very impressed with the thoughtful designs and the way in which the products really helped Freddy eat independently.  So when Oxo Tot kindly sent me some other items in their feeding range, I was only too happy to try them out with Freddy.

We were sent the Tall Sippy Cup, Snack Disc and the Flip Top Snack Cup in Aqua. Again, I was impressed with the lovely simple designs and the thoughtful features of the products.

Freddy took to them straight away.  The Sippy Cup is a good size for a toddler, holding 11 oz of liquid.  The transparent walls lets you see exactly how much your baby is drinking, and the non-slip grips makes it perfect for little hands to hold.  The spill proof beaker has a leak proof valve and is easy to sip.  A dimple in the lid makes room for little noses when the beaker is tipped up.  Graduated markings on the side of the cup let you measure how much drink you are making your tot.  Useful when using concentrates.

The Flip Top Snack Cup is the perfect size for Freddy to hold. The attached lid flips up allowing baby to reach in to get to the snacks inside.  Freddy found it easy to open and close. It would be perfect for car journeys or can be easily popped into your handbag or pocket to take out and about.  Think of the money you could save by taking out a little pot of dried fruit, cereals or grapes, instead of having to buy toddler snacks from the shops!

The Snack Disk is a lidded dish.  The non slip base and wide bottom minimizes spills.  The opening in the top of the bowl is plenty big enough for easy access, and the snap on lid keeps snacks fresh inside and allows you to transport a pot of goodies when out and about.  It was a good size and I made Freddy a fruit salad which he thoroughly enjoyed scoffing on.  The Snack Disk was easy for him to hold and the curved shape was fun and unique.

We were hoping for the return of the sun to test the snack pots on a picnic...but as ever, the English weather has been unpredictable so we had an indoor picnic instead!

Freddy has enjoyed using the Oxo Tot Feeding range.  The products are lovely and do exactly what they they say on the packet!  They really have been made to make life easier for parents and babies.  I love the contemporary designs and the simplicity.  I think it is great that these items can save you money in the long run and let you pack healthy, home-made snacks for your toddler for taking out and about.

Oxo Tot products are available from Amazon and Kiddicare.  

Benjoy Munchcups...Mess Free Healthy Snacks

If like me you have a hungry little toddler constantly looking to snack and generally making a mess in the process, then Benjoy has the solution for you!

Benjoy offer a range of healthier snacks for toddlers and young children packaged in the unique Munchcup, the first anti-spill, less mess packaging of its kind.  The foods are age appropriate and nutritionally optimized using 100% natural ingredients and essential nutrients!  The ingredients, portion sizes and recipes have been developed using textures, flavours, sizes and shapes that young children can enjoy.

Benjoy kindly sent me some Benjoy snacks for Freddy to try.  We received all five varieties:

• Multigrain Bites which are a blend of rice, quinoa, oats and wheat combined with tomato and carrot juice.  They make crunchy, melt in the mouth crispies.
• Crunchy Grape Slices are freeze dried, crunchy pieces of nourishing grape, a great alternative to raisins.
• Crunchy Strawberry Slices are delicious freeze dried strawberries packed with vitamin C.
• Root Vegetable Mini Chips are yummy pieces of crispy parsnip, sweet potato, carrot  and beetroot.  They are unsalted and really delicious (yes, mummy pinched a few!!)
•  Multi-Grain Munchers are tomato and toasted red pepper sticks full of goodness from grains and seeds.  Perfect for dipping into cheese spread or hummus for a healthy lunch time treat!

Each pack consists of four individual pots of nutritious, natural nibbles.  They are served in the Munchcup which means less mess and less waste as the toddler can independently feed himself through the cleverly designed lid.  The plastic film is cut with a cross that allows little fingers to tuck in but prevents the food spilling out.  This makes Benjoy Munchcups perfect for days out, for lunchboxes, in the car and away from home.  One pot can easily be popped in your handbag or baby bag for an instant, mess free, healthy snack.  This makes them very convenient.

In my opinion these snackpots are great.  You don't have to compromise on the nutritional value of snacks.  Crisps and biscuits are high sugar/salt, high fat, empty calorie snacks whereas  Benjoy's range are delicious, fun but also nutritionally good for your toddler.  The pots are really handy and Freddy found them really easy to use and didn't make a mess spilling his snack.

He really enjoyed the three savoury flavours.  However, he wasn't as keen on the fruity ones, which surprised me as he loves fruit.  Big sister Kizzy stepped in as chief taster and loved the Grapes and Strawberries.  She said "they are as tasty as sweets, but I know they are healthier because they are made of fruit.  That makes them better.  I want them in my lunchbox for school and the pots are really handy!"  They also count towards their 5 a day.

The pots are recyclable once the plastic film is removed and the cardboard multi-pack sleeve can be composted or recycled.  Benjoy suggest that you can re-use the pots for making mini-sandcastles in your sand pit or for propogating seedlings.  Other ideas for re-using them are for playing with water or using as paint pots.

Benjoy is available in the baby aisle of selected Morissons and Waitrose stores and from online stockists.  They are a great, convenient, nutritious, mess-free snack for toddlers on the go!

Oxo Tot Feeding Range

 Oxo is an American brand that has been producing innovative household tools and gadgets for the home for over 20 years!  They design products as solutions to help ease everyday tasks. Well now Oxo have applied this principle to develop a fantastic range of bright and functional Baby and Toddler products.  Their Mealtime Feeding Range provides products designed with the future diners' needs in mind. From their practical Sprout Highchair to a range of spill-proof cups to weaning and self feeding their modern and unique take on feeding essentials is both aesthetically pleasing and perfectly practical.  Available in Aqua, Orange and Green, these original products have won numerous design awards.

I was delighted to be offered the opportunity to try out the Oxo Tot Training Plate and Cutlery with Freddy.  When it arrived I was instantly impressed by the really original look and feel of the products.  The minimalist packaging wasn't wasteful or excessive.  I liked the simplicity of the logo and pack design.

The Training Plate is a good size for a toddler and has an ingenious removable ring that gives the plate a lip to help your little one chase food around the plate...perfect for peas and other tricky food!! It minimizes mess at meal times.  It can be removed when the toddler gets more efficient, so it will grow with your child.  The plate is weighted for extra stability and features a non-slip base.  This versatile plate helps your tot become an independent feeder.

The Fork and Spoon Set is ideal for little hands with its chunky, easy grip handles and slightly angled heads.  They have no sharp edges and the prongs on the fork are rounded.  The deep spoon helps an easy scooping technique and the fork safely pierces food to maximize the transition to grown-up cutlery.  A flat spot on the back of the handles stop the cutlery from rolling away...simple but really clever and thoughtful.

The products are BPA, phthalate and PVC free which is something I strongly support.  They are also dishwasher safe.

So, how did Freddy get on??  I think the following video can demonstrate just how great this range is!  He was able to use the raised edge to help get the food on his fork.  It showed that Oxo had really thought about what a toddler needs to gain independence and the action of chasing food against the edge of the plate was very instinctive to Freddy.  The cutlery was really easy for him to hold and manipulate.  I was really impressed!  

                                                             

Oxo Tot Feeding Range is available to purchase from Amazon and Kiddicare.  The Training Plate is £6.00 and the Fork and Spoon Set is £6.00.  A Feeding Set is also available which includes both items plus a lidded bowl for £15 from Kiddicare.  I love this range and would recommend them to any mum with a toddler who is learning to eat independently.  Freddy is doing really well with it.  The design features really have made a difference to how well he can feed himself.  Thank you Oxo Tot!!