STOP wasting money on pouches!
If you’ve got pouch-aged kids don’t scroll past this!
Pouches are *expensive* and so much plastic to throw away after a single use. My son LOVES those pouches but I was tired of throwing away so much money on them. Enter this little gadget I found that changed everything.
This is the Infantimo Squeeze Station, and it’s one of the few products I’ll be recommending to every parent I know from now on. It comes with a stand, five reusable pouches, three filling cylinders, and a filling plunger. You just place the pouches in the stand, screw the cylinders onto the tops, fill them with your applesauce, and push the plunger down to push it into the pouches. It takes me under a minute to fill three pouches from start to finish, probably well under once I’ve got a rhythm going. The pouches also have a seal at the bottom so you can open them for easy cleaning. Is it slightly more work than just buying a box of pouches that you can throw away? Sure. But I think it’s well, well worth it.
You can choose exactly what goes into the pouches and I really like knowing what I’m feeding my baby. Store bought applesauce is way cheaper than the pouches, and you can save even more if you make your own. Another benefit of homemade is that you can add in other fruits and even veggies! I always add a veggie that goes well with the fruits I’m using - sweet potato, carrot, and butternut squash all make great applesauce additions!
I bought an extra pack of 25 reusable pouches so I could make the applesauce in a larger batch and have it on hand. The pouches freeze wonderfully so you can make a bunch in one go!
Cost breakdown:
The cheapest store-brand pouches I could find were still nearly $7 for a box of a dozen pouches - coming out to 58¢ per pouch or 17.7¢ per ounce.
A 46oz jar of unsweetened applesauce (again, store brand) is $3.12 at my store - this would give you about 13 pouches at 24¢ each, or 6.8¢ per ounce.
Homemade varies a bit more in both cost and volume based on the size of your fruits/veggies and what all you want to add, but I’ll use my most recent recipe as an example. I used six gala apples, one sweet potato, and one can of pumpkin purée for a total of $4.19 in ingredients. I also added in cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg but didn’t factor those into the cost because I always have them on hand. This recipe gave me 20 full pouches, bringing the cost to 21¢ each, or 5.9¢ per ounce.
#toddlermom #parentsoflemom8 #lemon8parents #momlife #frugalmom @Lemon8Parenting
Since I started using my Infantino Squeeze Station, it's not just about saving money anymore – though that's a huge bonus! I've discovered a whole new world of possibilities for feeding my little one truly nutritious and varied meals. This gadget has truly made homemade toddler pouches a must-have in our household. Beyond the classic apple and sweet potato mix, which is a fantastic starting point (I still love my apple, pumpkin, and sweet potato pouches, especially knowing they cost just pennies!), I’ve been experimenting with so many other combinations. For fruits, think pears and blueberries for a vibrant antioxidant boost, or even a simple banana and avocado blend for healthy fats. For veggies, steamed carrots and peas make a surprisingly sweet and smooth puree. Zucchini and green beans are also easy to blend into mild, healthy options. I often combine a fruit with a less popular vegetable to make it more appealing – like pear and spinach, or mango and butternut squash. The key is to steam everything until very soft, then blend with a little water, breastmilk, or formula until you reach your desired consistency. For younger babies, super smooth is best, but as they get older, I leave it slightly chunkier to encourage texture exploration. What I love most is the complete control over ingredients. No hidden sugars, no weird preservatives, just pure, wholesome food. This means I can cater exactly to my baby’s needs and preferences, introducing new flavors gradually and knowing precisely what’s going into their tiny tummies. It’s a game-changer for avoiding allergens or simply ensuring they get a wide variety of better ingredients. Cleaning the Infantino Squeeze Station and the reusable pouches is surprisingly simple, which was a big concern for me initially. I rinse everything immediately after use, then give the pouches a good scrub with a small bottle brush, especially around the zipper seal at the bottom. For the Squeeze Station parts, a quick wash with dish soap and warm water is usually enough. They're also top-rack dishwasher safe, which is a huge time-saver on busy days. Making sure the pouches are thoroughly dry before storing prevents any mold or mildew. For storage, I usually make a big batch, like my 20 apple, pumpkin, and sweet potato pouches, and freeze most of them. They thaw beautifully in the fridge overnight or quickly in a bowl of warm water. Always remember to label your pouches with the date and contents – trust me, you'll forget otherwise! A big batch lasts us for weeks, making healthy snacks and meals so convenient. This system isn't just for babies either. As my child gets older, these reusable pouches are fantastic for smoothies, yogurt, or even applesauce for school lunches. It truly helps in reducing waste and continues to be a smart way of saving money long-term. It’s one of those investments that keeps giving back, both in terms of health and your wallet.
I definitely need to do this! My little one has just decided that he doesn't like baby food anymore but I think it's because it lacks the flavor. If I make my own, I can add what ever I want. Such a good idea!