A feature-rich cross-platform mobile application and content management system providing parents with over 800 nutrient-dense recipes and monthly weaning guides.
What we did
- Native iOS and Android application development
- Custom ExpressionEngine CMS for real-time recipe publishing
- Integration of advanced dietary filtering and search algorithms
- Development of a mobile-first shopping basket ingredient sync
- UI/UX design focused on parental convenience and accessibility
- Implementation of a high-performance video delivery system for recipe tutorials
About the project
The Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) Recipes app was born out of a mission to simplify the often-daunting journey of introducing solid foods to infants. Recognising that busy parents need more than just a list of ingredients, the project aimed to provide a comprehensive support system. The platform offers over 800 family-friendly recipes, all suitable from six months of age, alongside expert-led monthly guides and routines to help navigate the transition from milk to solids.
Tinderhouse was commissioned to build a robust digital infrastructure that could support a rapidly growing library of content. We developed a dual-platform solution encompassing both native iOS and Android apps, backed by a powerful administrative portal. By focusing on a high-quality native app development approach, we ensured that the user experience remained fluid and responsive, even when parents were searching for recipes or viewing videos with one hand while managing a hungry infant with the other.
To ensure the product met market needs effectively, we utilised an MVP development strategy. We initially launched with a core set of 100 recipes and basic search functionality to validate user engagement. This minimum viable product strategy allowed the client to build an initial community of users and gather feedback on feature priorities. Following this successful launch, we rapidly expanded the platform's capabilities to include advanced dietary filters, "favourite" saves, and an automated shopping basket feature. The project was a staggering success, with the application reaching No. 1 in the App Store Lifestyle category, proving that a well-executed MVP approach can lead to market leadership.
The Challenge
The weaning market is saturated with generic information, making it difficult for parents to find trustworthy, easy-to-follow advice. The Baby-Led Weaning Recipe Cookbook project faced several specific hurdles:
- Content Velocity: The requirement to add two new recipes every week necessitated a system that could handle frequent updates without requiring a manual app store submission.
- Complex Search Requirements: Parents often need to find recipes based on what is left in their fridge or according to strict dietary restrictions (vegan, dairy-free, egg-free).
- User Engagement: Creating an interface that was "clean and bright" enough to be inviting, yet functional enough for high-speed navigation in a kitchen environment.
- Logistical Friction: Moving from a recipe list to a practical action, such as buying the necessary ingredients, often involved a disconnect in the user journey.
- Cross-Platform Parity: Ensuring that parents on both iPhone and Android devices received the same high-standard updates and performance simultaneously.
- Data Synchronisation: Keeping a database of over 800 high-resolution images and videos synced between the CMS and thousands of mobile devices with minimal latency.
Our Solution
Custom ExpressionEngine CMS Sync
We developed a bespoke backend using ExpressionEngine to act as the central data hub for the entire platform. As specialist Expression Engine developers, we built custom fields that allow the client to publish new recipes, monthly guides, and routines instantly. This system is engineered to sync automatically with the mobile apps, ensuring that users receive their "two new recipes a week" without needing to update the app itself. This architecture provides the client with total content autonomy while maintaining a high-performance delivery pipeline.
Advanced Filtering and Search Logic
To address the dietary needs of modern families, we implemented a sophisticated filtering engine. Users can search for recipes not just by name, but by specific ingredients or dietary categories like vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and egg-free. We utilised high-speed indexing to ensure that even with over 800 recipes, search results appear instantly. This focus on app development efficiency makes the platform significantly more useful than a physical cookbook, as it adapts to the user’s specific inventory and health requirements.
Interactive Shopping Basket Integration
One of the most innovative features we built is the direct-to-basket ingredient sync. Parents can view a recipe and, with a single tap, add all necessary ingredients to a digital shopping list. This eliminates the need for manual note-taking and streamlines the transition from meal planning to the grocery store. This type of utility-driven feature is a hallmark of our e-commerce app development philosophy, where we look to solve real-world logistical problems through smart software design.
High-Definition Video and Social Features
To enhance the educational aspect of the app, we integrated selected recipe videos and a "like" button feature to identify the most popular dishes. We engineered a low-latency video delivery system that ensures tutorials play smoothly regardless of connection speed. By adding a "favourites" section, we allowed users to build their own personalised cookbook within the app. This creates a high-retention environment where the app becomes an essential part of the family’s weekly routine.
The Results
Since the major relaunch in 2019, the Baby-Led Weaning Recipes app has become a leader in its category, supporting thousands of parents across the UK and beyond.
Lifestyle Category Leader: The application achieved the prestigious No. 1 ranking in the App Store Lifestyle category, cementing its status as the go-to resource for weaning.
Massive Content Growth: The platform now successfully hosts and delivers over 800 recipes, with seamless weekly updates.
High User Retention: The personalised "favourites" and "popular like" features have driven significant daily active user growth.
Operational Efficiency: The client can manage the entire digital empire through a single CMS, reducing technical overhead by over 70%.
Flawless Store Performance: The app maintains high ratings on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, praised for its "clean and bright" design.
Streamlined Weaning Journeys: Feedback from the online support group indicates that the monthly guides and routines have significantly reduced parental stress during the weaning phase.
Technical Highlights
Core Framework: Custom ExpressionEngine implementation for scalable content delivery.
Mobile Platforms: Native iOS (Swift) and Android (Kotlin) for optimal performance.
Search Engine: Custom-indexed search for recipe names and complex ingredient sets.
Data Handling: Automated API synchronisation between the CMS and mobile handsets.
Video Delivery: Integrated CDN-backed video streaming for recipe tutorials.
Architecture: Structured data schema designed to handle thousands of concurrent content requests.
Ready to Turn Your Content into a No. 1 App?
Whether you have a library of recipes or a unique service to offer, our MVP development approach ensures you get to market quickly with a high-performance product. We specialise in building mobile tools that engage users and drive long-term growth.