As a new mom, you want to give your baby the best possible start in life. And one of the most important decisions you‘ll make is what to feed your little one as they transition to solid foods.
With so many options out there, from store-bought jars to homemade purees, it can be overwhelming to figure out the best approach. That‘s where baby food subscriptions come in – they take the guesswork and prep work out of the equation by delivering fresh, healthy meals right to your door.
Two of the most popular services on the market are Yumi and Little Spoon. Both offer organic, nutrient-dense baby food, but they differ in their approach, variety, and overall value. In this post, I‘ll give you my honest review of Yumi vs Little Spoon, drawing on my own experience using both services, as well as insights from other parents and experts.
By the end, you‘ll have all the information you need to decide which subscription is the best fit for your baby‘s needs and your family‘s lifestyle. Let‘s dive in!
Yumi Overview
Yumi is a baby food subscription service that focuses on delivering the most nutrient-dense, developmentally appropriate meals for babies aged 6-24 months. The company was founded in 2017 by Angela Sutherland and Evelyn Rusli, two moms who were frustrated with the lack of truly healthy, high-quality baby food options on the market.
What sets Yumi apart is its science-backed "Milestone Plan" that introduces new flavors, textures, and nutrients at strategic times to support your baby‘s growth and development. Each week, you‘ll receive a carefully curated selection of single-ingredient purees, multi-ingredient blends, and/or finger foods that align with your baby‘s age and stage.
Some key features of Yumi:
- 80+ flavors of organic, non-GMO purees and finger foods
- Formulated with input from pediatricians, nutritionists, and food scientists
- Made with whole, nutrient-dense ingredients like chia seeds, quinoa, and spirulina
- Milestone-based meal plans for 6-8 months, 9-11 months, and 12-24 months
- Flexible subscription with free shipping and ability to skip, pause, or cancel anytime
Little Spoon Overview
Little Spoon is an organic baby food and kid‘s meal delivery service that offers a wide range of options for babies, toddlers, and big kids up to age 10+. Founded in 2017 by Lisa Barnett, Ben Lewis, Michelle Muller, and Angela Vranich, Little Spoon aims to provide a healthier, more convenient alternative to store-bought baby food and kids‘ meals.
What I love about Little Spoon is the flexibility to mix and match purees, finger foods, toddler/kid plates, and even vitamins to create a customized meal plan for your child. You can tailor your subscription based on your baby‘s age, developmental stage, dietary needs, and preferences.
Some key features of Little Spoon:
- 30+ flavors of organic, non-GMO baby blends and finger foods
- 20+ toddler and kid‘s meal options ready in less than 1 minute
- Option to add on natural remedies, vitamins, and nutritious smoothies
- Customize your subscription based on age, dietary needs, and frequency
- Free delivery every two weeks and ability to skip or cancel anytime
Tale of the Tape: Yumi vs Little Spoon
Now that you have a general overview of each service, let‘s take a closer look at how Yumi and Little Spoon stack up in terms of variety, nutrition, quality, price, and more.
Yumi | Little Spoon | |
---|---|---|
Age Range | 6-24 months | 4 months-10 years |
Meal Variety | 80+ baby blends | 30+ baby blends, 20+ toddler/kid meals |
Subscription Options | 6, 8 or 12 jars/week | Customizable every 2 weeks |
Prep Time | No prep | 1 min for Plates |
Price | $35-$75/week ($2.50-$5 per meal) | $60-$130/2 weeks ($3-$4 per blend) |
Shipping | FREE | FREE over $99 |
As you can see, both services offer a good variety of organic meal options, but they differ in the age range they cater to and the flexibility of the subscription. Yumi is more affordable for baby food and follows a structured Milestone Plan, while Little Spoon allows for more customization and carries options for older kids.
Nutrition and Ingredients
Of course, the most important factor in choosing a baby food subscription is the quality and nutrition of the food itself. Both Yumi and Little Spoon use organic, non-GMO ingredients that are carefully sourced from trusted farmers and suppliers.
The meals are developed with input from pediatricians, nutritionists, and food scientists to ensure they meet the unique nutritional needs of growing babies and toddlers. Yumi and Little Spoon also use innovative cooking methods like cold-pressure processing to lock in nutrients and flavors while eliminating the need for preservatives.
Here‘s a closer look at some of the key nutrients you‘ll find in Yumi and Little Spoon blends:
Yumi Nutrition Highlights
- Chia seeds and quinoa for plant-based protein, fiber, and omega-3s
- Spirulina and chlorella for iron, calcium, and B vitamins
- Turmeric and ginger for anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties
- Coconut milk and avocado oil for healthy fats to support brain development
- Lentils and beans for vegetarian protein and complex carbs
Little Spoon Nutrition Highlights
- Hemp seeds and nut butters for plant-based protein and healthy fats
- Matcha and acai for antioxidants and fiber
- Flax and chia seeds for omega-3s and lignans
- Spinach and kale for vitamin K, vitamin A, and iron
- Beets and sweet potatoes for fiber, folate, and beta-carotene
Ultimately, both Yumi and Little Spoon offer nutrient-packed meals that exposeparents of the latest nutrition science and trends.
Taste and Variety
Let‘s be real – even the healthiest baby food won‘t do any good if your little one won‘t eat it! Fortunately, both Yumi and Little Spoon get high marks from parents and babies alike when it comes to taste and variety.
Some of Yumi‘s most popular blends include:
- Dragonfruit chia seed pudding
- Spinach pear Chia mochi
- Kabocha squash
- Minestrone soup
- Japanese sweet potato
And some top picks from Little Spoon:
- Broccoli pineapple banana hemp
- Carrot apple ginger turmeric
- Cauliflower butternut squash tahini
- Beet banana mango
- Spinach mango banana
I personally love that Yumi offers so many unique and adventurous flavor combinations, while Little Spoon has mastered the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Both services do a great job of introducing babies to a wide range of flavors and textures to expand their palate and prevent picky eating down the road.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
As an eco-conscious consumer, I think it‘s important to consider the environmental impact of our purchases, including baby food subscriptions.
The good news is that both Yumi and Little Spoon are committed to sustainability and reducing waste:
- They source organic, sustainably farmed ingredients
- They use recyclable packaging and offer recycling programs for used jars/containers
- They partner with organizations like Baby2Baby who helped more than 137,000 infants with supplies during the pandemic
- Their food helps reduce waste associated with traditional store-bought baby food and homemade purees
Ready to Subscribe? Here‘s How to Get Started
If you‘re ready to jump on the baby food subscription bandwagon, signing up for Yumi or Little Spoon is quick and easy:
- Visit the Yumi or Little Spoon website and click "Get Started" or "Build Your Plan" to create an account
- Enter your baby‘s name and birth date (or due date if you‘re pregnant)
- Take a short quiz about your baby‘s developmental stage, feeding habits, and dietary needs
- Choose your plan size, meal preferences, and delivery frequency
- Input your delivery and payment info, then sit back and wait for your first box to arrive!
With both services, you can easily manage your subscription online by skipping or cancelling deliveries, changing your meal selections, updating your address, etc. And if you ever have questions or issues, both Yumi and Little Spoon have responsive customer service available via phone, email, or live chat.
Real Moms, Real Reviews
But don‘t just take my word for it – here‘s what other moms are saying about their experience with Yumi vs Little Spoon:
"I recently became a new mom and a lot of friends recommended Little Spoon to me. The ordering process was super simple and I really appreciate the flexibility in my weekly orders. The blends are well thought out, nutritious and perfect for the little ones. I‘m so glad we went with them!" – Jessica L. on Sitejabber
"I am simply blown away by how much my 8 month old daughter loves Yumi. The weekly variety makes the meals fun and the different spices and colors seem to be expanding her palate and keeping things fun." – Erica P on Influenster
"I am really happy with the quality of Little Spoon and most importantly the variety it offers. My twins are usually very picky eaters, but they will eat almost all of the Little Spoon blends they get to try (which is not the case with store brands). Even if Little Spoon is a little pricey, it is worth every penny if I can get some healthy food into the kids without the added stress!" – Supermom on Trustpilot
"Yumi has been an absolute game changer for us. I love the variety of ingredients, flavors and textures in each meal. I also appreciate that I don‘t have to spend all my time prepping food for my son. He loves the food and I can trust that he is getting all the best nutrients with Yumi." – Cindy C. on Facebook
My Verdict
After trying out both Yumi and Little Spoon for several months with my now 14-month-old, I can confidently say that both services deliver on their promise of providing healthy, high-quality, delicious baby food.
Personally, I found myself gravitating more towards Yumi for the unique flavor combinations and Milestone Meal plan. I loved knowing that each week‘s menu was specifically designed to support my baby‘s developmental stage. Plus, those adventurous blends really helped prevent any picky eating habits from forming.
That said, I know moms who absolutely swear by Little Spoon for the ability to completely customize their subscription. And once my little guy was old enough for the Plates, it was so convenient to have healthy toddler meals on hand for those extra busy days.
At the end of the day, you really can‘t go wrong with either service. It all comes down to your baby‘s individual needs and preferences, your family‘s lifestyle and budget, and your own parenting philosophy around food.
My advice? Take advantage of the discounts and promotions for new customers and give both a try for a few weeks. See which one your baby likes best and which one makes your life a little easier. And don‘t overthink it – fed is best, and you‘re already doing a great job by prioritizing your little one‘s nutrition.
To get 50% OFF your first order of Yumi, use my code "MOMMYAPPROVED" at checkout!
To get $30 OFF your first Little Spoon box, use my code "MOMMYSREVIEW30" at checkout!
If you found this comparison helpful, be sure to share it with other moms in your life who may be considering a baby food subscription. And I‘d love to hear about your own experience with Yumi, Little Spoon, or other services in the comments below. Happy feeding!