# Economical Infancy Looking to offer nutrients on a budget, parents turn to homemade meals. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Apr 21, 2014 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/economical-infancy ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.7/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Economical Infancy trend? **Economical Infancy:** With the cost of maintaining a comfortable upbringing for children often reaching staggering amounts, opting for organic, and often pricier health food items can be challenging for families who are tight on a budget. Seeking to offer nutritional goods in a more cost-effective manner, parents are turning to homemade infant meals to combine the need for nourishment with more accessible, economic means. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Jan 14, 2014 to Mar 13, 2015 - Published: Apr 21, 2014 - Patterns: [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization), [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Youthfulness](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/youthfulness) ## Audience - Gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Economical Infancy trend ### Homemade Baby Food Parents are looking to make their own, fresh and nutrition-packed baby food, rather than relying on processed jars of baby food. ### Sneaking Healthy Foods into Snacks Parents are finding ingenious ways to sneak healthy ingredients into their kids' favorite snacks, with the hope of getting them to eat more healthily. ### Inexpensive Nutritious Meals Families on tight budgets are opting for homemade meals that are nutritious and cost-effective. ## What the Economical Infancy trend means for industry ### For Food The food industry has an opportunity to create more affordable and nutritious options for parents of infants and young children. ### For Kitchen Appliances The kitchen appliance industry can innovate and create appliances that make it easier for parents to prepare homemade baby food. ### For E-commerce The e-commerce industry can offer platforms that streamline the ordering and delivery of affordable, healthy, homemade infant meals. ## Trend signals for Economical Infancy Trend score 3.7 out of 10, from popularity 55%, activity 48%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 55% - Activity: 48% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Economical Infancy trend 4 featured examples from Jan 14, 2014 to Mar 13, 2015. - [Cookie Dough Molds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cookie-tray): The Smart Cookie Tray is a Silicone Mold That Shapes and Stores Homemade Dough (Category: Art & Design) Implication: The Smart Cookie Tray's silicone mold concept presents opportunities for kitchen utensil manufacturers to disrupt the market with innovative and versatile products that enhance th… - [Home-Prepared Infant Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/organic-baby-cuisine): This Homemade Organic Baby Cuisine is Prepared Naturally (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity in the baby food manufacturing industry by introducing organic and homemade options. - [Secretly Healthy Kid's Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fruit-leather): Oh My Veggies Helps Make a Fruit Leather with a Healthy Surprise (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food and beverage industry can explore the development and marketing of secretly healthy snacks to cater to health-conscious parents seeking nutritious options for their child… - [Baby Food Processors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/baby-brezza-one-step): The Baby Brezza One Step Baby Food Maker is a Game Changer (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the baby food industry with the development of advanced baby food processors that cater to the growing demand for homemade baby food. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Multi-Benefit Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comes-in-three-flavors) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)