Stephanie Burnette, Contributor 12:26 p.m. EDT May 7, 2014 The baby food market expanded 28 percent during the last five years. A good bit of the increase can be attributed to disposable food pouches. This month’s Take 5 looks at the ups, downs and in-betweens of this booming trend. •  The average baby food pouch holds about 100 calories of pureed food (typically a mixture of fruits, vegetables and grains). As of this month, they still cost 30 – 60 percent more than a jarred equivalent. The inner layer of the pouch is made of BPA-free polypropylene, the outer layer is printed foil and they are 10 times lighter than a classic glass jar. •  Pouches are amazing for on-the-go moments. In an airport? Baby gets fed in a sterile, efficient way. Need a snack? Toddlers can squeeze to self-feed. •  Spoon-feeding helps develop oral motor skills and a proper swallowing mechanism. Eating baby food from a pouch is more akin to drinking from a straw. •  TerraCycle and Ella’s Kitchen created the Baby Food Pouch Brigade, which recycles any brand of pouch or cap. Download a prepaid shipping label and mail them in for a reward-based program. Learn more at www.terracycle.com/en-US/brigades/ellaskitchen.html. •  Reusable options are flooding the market, such as Little Green Pouch and Squeeze’Ems. Prices range from $4 – 6 per pouch, but can be used indefinitely. You fill them and you clean them.