9.4 C
Manchester
Saturday, April 26, 2025
AwardsFormer Military Mumpreneur Awarded Royal Accolade For Creating a Bib Fit for...

Former Military Mumpreneur Awarded Royal Accolade For Creating a Bib Fit for a King

The Bibado Coverall Weaning Bib, designed and developed by former British Army Dentist and mum of twins, Rachel Wood, has been awarded the inaugural King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation, in recognition of the groundbreaking product.

Bibado Ltd is one of only 148 organisations nationally to be recognised with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise. Announced today (Friday 21 April), Bibado has been recognised for its excellence in innovation.

The Bibado Coverall was initially conceived to solve a problem that all parents face when they embark on their weaning journey; how to give growing mealtime adventurers the freedom to enjoy their food exploration without limits, while containing the mess.

The light bulb moment for the concept came to Wood while enjoying a messy meal of spaghetti bolognese with her 6-month-old twin daughters. She noticed that existing bibs on the market were uncomfortable to wear for the child and were not fit for purpose. They offered inadequate coverage and kept neither her daughters nor the highchair clean, and failed to prevent food from falling onto the floor.

Wood was exasperated with the post-meal clean-up process, which would routinely involve a complete outfit change and an ever-growing washing pile, not to mention wasted food and ruined clothes! With three meal times a day, she estimated that she was spending at least one hour per day on the clean-up alone. This was not only time-consuming and stressful, but fuelled the parental guilt of dreading mealtimes because of the mammoth size of the task.

STRICT EMBARGO 1am FRIDAY 21 APRIL 23 1

Rachel scoured the market looking for an alternative, but it didn’t exist. She knew that she couldn’t be the only parent feeling this way, so she got to work with an old umbrella, a pair of scissors, a sewing machine and lots of optimism. She also turned to her personal sporting pursuits for inspiration, incorporating ideas from a kayak’s spray deck. The patented strap was inspired by the elasticated cuff on ski salopettes. The first Bibado Coverall Weaning Bib prototype was born. Two years of rigorous market research and safety testing ensued and the Coverall Weaning Bib was launched to the market in 2017.

Commenting on the receipt of the King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation, Wood says,

“Mealtime mess is one of the biggest barriers to successful weaning. Children learn from the behaviour parents model at the dinner table and highchair, so if parents are anxious and nervous about the mess, babies and toddlers will pick up on this”.

4

She continues, “We’ve worked closely with Paediatric Occupational Therapists and Nutritionists in our product development and we know that it’s really important for babies to explore as many different food types and textures by the time they’re around 10-12 months old.  Our products genuinely support babies and parents in their taste adventures, preventing picky eating and helping to nurture safe and independent little eaters.

I am beyond thrilled for Bibado and my invention to be awarded this accolade. It’s particularly special to receive the award in the year of the King’s Coronation”.

Wood will attend a winner’s reception at Buckingham Palace in June 2023.

News Desk
News Deskhttps://www.businessmanchester.co.uk/
The Business Manchester News Desk team is a collective of experienced journalists and editors dedicated to delivering comprehensive business news and insights from the Manchester area and beyond. With a strong background in finance, technology, property, and innovation, our team ensures that our readers stay well-informed about the latest trends and developments in the business world. Through in-depth reports and insightful analysis, the Business Manchester News Desk team is committed to providing high-quality journalism to its audience.
Latest

Vehicle crime in Greater Manchester down 27 per cent, reports show

Vehicle-related crime across Greater Manchester has seen a reduction of 27 per cent, according to new figures. During September 2023 and March 2024, Greater Manchester...

Advance train tickets now available on TransPennine Express machines

Advance train tickets are now available for customers to buy using TransPennine Express (TPE) ticket machines. Advance train tickets are single, one-way tickets purchased in advance...

Planning pressures pushing firms to the brink, property expert warns

Planning pressures set UK developers up for failure, pushing more firms to the brink, Landwood warns. UK developers are abandoning unfinished projects as cashflow pressures...

DVLA bans more than 500 new number plates

A Freedom of Information request made by private plate supplier Regtransfers reveals the banned number plates from the forthcoming  ‘75’ release. These latest plates will...
Subscribe to our newsletter
Business Manchester will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.
Don't miss

Advance train tickets now available on TransPennine Express machines

Advance train tickets are now available for customers to buy using TransPennine Express (TPE) ticket machines. Advance train tickets are single, one-way tickets purchased in advance...

FREESMO Rallies to Support Ex-Smokers Ahead of the Disposable Vape Ban with Golden Ticket Campaign

As the UK prepares for the nationwide ban on disposable vapes coming into force on 1st June 2025, FREESMO is stepping up to support...

Cellcycle and Kerry Logistics Partner to Strengthen Sustainable Battery Supply Chain in the UK

UK-based battery recycling expert Cellcycle, part of the SER Group, has signed a Mutual Cooperation Agreement with Kerry Logistics (UK), a member of the...

St George’s Day parade returns to Manchester

The St George's Day Parade, a beloved fixture in Manchester's event calendar for nearly two decades, returns on April 27 with its vibrant celebration...

More News

Double award win for Sodexo team at Wythenshawe Hospital

A project devised by Sodexo Health & Care at Wythenshawe Hospital has scooped two awards at the prestigious 2025 Safety & Health Excellence (SHE) Awards. Sodexo’s...

Switch Roles Unveiled: The Job Board Changing How Retail Recruits

Retail and hospitality recruitment is being reimagined with the arrival of Switch Roles, a next-generation platform built by those who know the industry inside...

Cellcycle and Kerry Logistics Partner to Strengthen Sustainable Battery Supply Chain in the UK

UK-based battery recycling expert Cellcycle, part of the SER Group, has signed a Mutual Cooperation Agreement with Kerry Logistics (UK), a member of the...