Cerebelly Review 2024: Up Your Baby’s Brainpower

Overview

Cerebelly is a baby food brand founded by a neurosurgeon and developmental neurologist, designed to cater to the needs of a baby’s growing brain. The menu features purées and snacks packed with 16 essential nutrients, like vitamin A, zinc, iodine, lutein, and folate.

The scientifically formulated recipes meet the needs of babies between 5 and 24+ months old and are veggie-first, organic, and non-GMO. Parents can choose from a wide range of purée flavors, so even the fussiest babies may find something they like.

After in-depth research on the brand and sifting through Cerebelly reviews from parents from all across the country, I learned most babies love these purées. However,  Serenity Kids may be a better option if you want more recipes that include protein.

What’s on the Cerebelly Menu

Cerebelly was designed by Dr. Teresa Purzner, a mother of 3 and a neurosurgeon and developmental neurologist. She teamed with reliable pediatricians, food scientists, and nutritionists to create delicious baby food recipes packed with 16 essential nutrients, such as vitamin D, zinc, iron, and others.

Meal Options

The menu features 3 types of meals and snacks suited for infants and toddlers. The first and most diverse menu category is Purées. Here, you can choose between 14 different flavors and recipes. The purées have all the necessary nutrients to support the developing brains of children 5 months old and up.

The purée recipes vary from protein-rich pouches, like the Butternut Squash Chicken Broth, to the vitamin-rich Carrot Pumpkin. There are also some sweet options (without any added sugar), like the Sweet Potato Mango recipe, which is rich in vitamin A, Lutein, Iron, and Zinc. 

All the purées are packed with brain-supporting nutrients, but they’re also designed to help babies develop their taste buds with interesting flavors such as thyme or broccoli (among others). Since these special combinations are tasty and easy to feed, your baby may be less fussy with food.

After purées, Cerebelly’s menu offers 2 types of snacks – Smoothie-inspired and Smart Bars. The Smoothie-inspired section features 3 veggie-first smoothie-inspired pouches. These are naturally sweet and can be served as a cool and nutritious treat (Cerebelly recommends chilling the smoothies before serving).

The Smart Bars section features 4 soft bar recipes, safe to eat for toddlers, that contain the same 16 brain-supporting nutrients and pack 3 g of protein per serving. These snacks are nut-free, gluten-free, and vegan.

Cerebelly's purées and snacks are designed to meet children’s developmental needs at various growth stages. The recipes only include organic, non-GMO, and allergen-free ingredients and are all gluten-free. Plus, based on all the Cerebelly reviews I’ve read, babies love them to pieces.

If you worry about allergies, Cerebelly's recipes are free from the 8 most common allergens, such as dairy, eggs, and nuts. The brand has also earned the Clean Label Project Purity Award. All the recipes are shelf-stable, and all the baby food is rigorously tested for over 400 contaminants.

I’m sure you’ll also appreciate the brand’s zero-added sugar policy. This means that all the sweet recipes rely only on the natural sweetness of fruits and vegetables. Since vegetables are the primary ingredient, Cerebelly offers a healthier, balanced option compared to many fruit-first alternatives on the market.

Customization

You can't modify the recipe content and formulation. Each recipe was scientifically formulated to include all the healthy nutrients your baby needs and none of the bad stuff that may cause allergies or health problems.

However, you’re free to mix and match purée pouches and snacks as you see fit when placing the order. You can buy each menu item separately (available in packs of 6 or 5) or choose from the pre-defined variety packs and bundles.

There are 8 predefined bundles designed for various ages. The first bundle is created for babies 5 to 7 months old, and the 8th is for toddlers 25+ months old. Each bundle includes 28 items, and you see a clear list of everything that goes into the box.

If bundles don’t work for you and your baby, Cerebelly also offers 10 Variety Packs. These feature combinations of some of the most popular recipes. For instance, the offer includes a Pumpkin Bundle that features 3 6-packs of pumpkin-flavored purées (Green Bean Pumpkin, White Bean Pumpkin Apple, and Carrot Pumpkin).

You also have the option to build your own bundle, where you can combine individual pouches and snacks. Cerebelly lets you choose between 4 bundle sizes – Small (14 items), Medium (28 items), Large (42 items), and Family (56 items). Once you select the box size, you can add individual pouches, smoothies, and Smart Bars (only available in 5 packs).

If you want a custom bundle but don’t know which products are best for your baby, Cerebelly also has a short survey (2 to 5 minutes) that’ll provide you with recommendations based on your child's age, developmental milestones, and eating habits.

Unboxing

Each box contains the items you ordered, neatly stacked to ensure safe transportation. You don’t have to be present for delivery; the box will be safe outside until you can get it inside and open it.

Cerebelly’s recipes are shelf stable, and unopened pouches are safe to consume until the “Enjoy By” date, which is stamped on each pouch/wrapper. However, once a pouch is opened, you must refrigerate the leftovers and consume the content within 48 hours.

Each item is clearly labeled and contains the necessary information (ingredients, nutrients, how-to-serve directions, and more) so you know how much and how to feed your baby. Also, all pouches have a clear bottom, so you can see the color and overall texture of the content.

The pouches aren’t microwave-safe (the food is) and are BPA-, BPS-, phthalate-, and melamine-free. Also, you can’t recycle the caps and pouches with your regular plastics. This is why Cerebelly partnered with TerraCycle, a specialized company that’ll recycle your pouches for free. To recycle, you have to collect and clean used pouches and ship them to TerraCycle.

Cooking with Cerebelly

Cerebelly recipes are designed to be enjoyed directly from the pouch or wrapper (for Smart Bars). If you think it’s necessary, you can microwave the purées only after getting the content out of the pouch (the pouches aren’t microwave-safe!)

You can also combine the purées (once out of the pouch) with other ingredients as a way to introduce your bundle of joy to new flavors and textures. Otherwise, there’s no cooking involved – these are easy-to-prepare meals that your baby can enjoy at their own pace.

Shortlist of My Favorite Meals

Sweet Potato Chicken Broth Puree

Formulated for babies aged 5 to 7 months, Cerebelly's Sweet Potato Chicken Broth Purée is a nutritional powerhouse designed to kickstart your little one's taste adventures. This carefully crafted recipe combines sweet potato's rich, earthy flavors with the wholesome goodness of pinto beans, subtly spiced with cumin, to delight and train young palates.

Packed with essential nutrients like lutein, protein, niacin, vitamin A, and folic acid, this purée is a delicious brain booster. Its ingredients were specifically chosen for their proven benefits in supporting the early stages of brain development.

While specially designed for infants, this purée's rich nutrient profile and delicious taste make it suitable for any age. This means that older children can enjoy it, and mommy and daddy can join the tasting party.

Purple Carrot Blueberry with Banana Smoothie

This vibrant smoothie, designed for the growing needs of slightly older children, combines the nutritional prowess of purple carrots with the sweetness of blueberries and the creamy texture of bananas. 

Like all Cerebelly recipes, this smoothie is equipped with 16 essential nutrients specifically chosen for their brain-supporting capabilities, including choline, selenium, DHA, protein, fiber, and healthy fats, which the brains of older children need to start creating connections.

This special combination of ingredients is known to nurture the development of crucial cognitive skills, such as executive functioning and emotional regulation. Cereblly recommends serving smoothies chilled for maximum deliciousness.

Apple Kale Smart Bars

Kids aren’t really fond of kale, which is why I think this snack is ingenious. It blends the taste of kale with the appealing sweetness of apples. This is the perfect solution if you’re looking to incorporate more greens into your toddler's diet without the fuss and never-ending negotiations. 

These Smart Bars are nut-free, utilize gluten-free ingredients, and are completely vegan. Plus, they’re sweet but contain no added sugar – only the sugar that’s naturally present in fruits and veggies.

Besides being delicious, these snacks also pack 3 g of fiber, 3 g of protein, healthy fats, and an array of vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, choline, vitamin E, iodine, and selenium. Overall, these bars are a practical and enjoyable way to ensure your toddler gets a balanced mix of essential nutrients daily.

Prices

Considering the quality of ingredients and scientific research that went into creating these recipes, Cerebelly is reasonably priced. As expected, Purees are the most expensive items on the menu, starting at $2.97 per pouch and $17.82 per 6-pack if you opt for a subscription.

The Bone Broth Purees (3 options at the time of my review) are a bit more expensive, at $3.22 per pouch and $19.32 per 6-pack with a subscription. If you choose to forgo the subscription, all prices are up to 15% higher.

Smoothies are $18.30 per 6-pack, and Smart Bars are $5.09 per 5-pack (for subscribers). If you opt for pre-defined bundles, you’ll pay between $84.66 and $90.40 per 28-item box. The same box can be between $99.52 and $106.32 if you choose a one-time purchase.

Variety packs vary in size from 6 to 30 items per box, and prices range between $17.82 for 6 items and $89.10 for 30 items (for subscribers). The price of a custom bundle is calculated based on the items you add (each item is individually priced) and whether you’re a Cerebelly member.

Shipping is free for orders of $45 and up and $5.99 per order otherwise. The minimum order differs on what you intend to buy. If you’re interested in a specific recipe, you can order 1 6-pack of pouches or 1 5-pack of Smart Bars. You can also order just 1 pre-defined bundle or 1 Variety Pack. If you choose a custom bundle, the minimum order is a Small Box (14 items).

As a Cerebelly subscriber, you earn points with every order through the Smart Rewards program. Through this program, you earn points every time you buy something. Once you have enough points (check your online account to keep track of them), you can get exclusive discounts whenever you want.

I’m not exactly thrilled that Cerebelly doesn’t have a return policy, but there’s a Flavor Guarantee policy. This means that if your little one doesn’t like 1 of the recipes, you can contact the customer support team, and they’ll send you 3 other blends for free.

Cerebelly doesn’t accept food item returns. Instead, it encourages you to donate unopened purees and snacks to local food banks or to family and friends with young children. The only situation in which the company may issue a refund is if you received a damaged product or the wrong item(s).

Shipping & Delivery

Cerebelly delivers in the United States and its territories. You can also find the purees and snacks in a bunch of physical stores, such as Whole Foods, Kroger, Target, Walmart, and more. Canadians can also enjoy Cerebelly in physical stores like Sobeys, Farm Boy, Safeway, and others and on Amazon.ca.

If you opt for a subscription, you’ll receive a new Cerebelly box every 2 or 4 weeks (depending on your preferences). The subscription is flexible, and you can cancel, reschedule, or delay at any time. The cutoff date is 11:59 pm EST, the night before your next order is set to be processed.

I like that Cerebelly sends an order confirmation email 24 to 48 hours before your next order is set for shipping. It’s a great way to remind you about any changes you want to make. To track the order and check the estimated delivery date, check your Cerebelly online account.

How Cerebelly Works

Signing up with Cereblly is easy – you create your account while placing your first order.

How to Sign Up

1. Click Shop Now or go to the shop using the menu in the upper-left corner of the home page.

2. Choose your products. You can go with a bundle, a variety pack, or shopping a la carte). Also, choose if you want a subscription for the products you selected (the same order can contain subscription and non-subscription items). 

3. Go to Checkout and add the information for creating an account, shipping and billing address, and payment details.

4. Choose between Standard and Expedited shipping, and click on Place Order.

5. Wait for the confirmation email, which also includes the login details for your account.

Managing Your Subscription

Cerebelly’s subscription is flexible and easy to manage. At any time, you can reschedule and order, press pause, or cancel altogether. You also have full access to your order history and the current order’s status, and you can change the content of your box whenever you need to.

The only trick is that you have to respect the cutoff date, which is 11:59 pm EST the night before your next order is set to be processed. If you miss it, changes will apply, starting with the order following the current one.

Customer Service

If you want to get in touch with a human representative, Cerebelly offers an email address and a contact form. The team is available Monday to Friday, from 9 AM to 5 PM EST, and will reply as soon as possible, usually within the same day.

Before reaching out to the support team, make sure to check the Help Center or FAQ section on the website. The answers here are detailed and provide lots of useful information regarding a wide range of topics.

How Cerebelly Compares to Other Meal Delivery Service

• Cerebelly vs. Serenity Kids: Both brands are committed to offering healthy, nutritious options for babies and toddlers, but Serenity Kids has a more varied menu. Additionally, some of the recipes include meat, and the snacks offered are a bit more interesting. There’s also a difference in pricing, with Serenity Kids being a bit more expensive (mainly due to the addition of ethically sourced meat). Prices start at Price: Missing Product serenity-kids-md per meal, and you’re free to build your own bundle.
• Cerebelly vs. Little Spoon: Little Spoon’s offer covers a wide range of customers, from babies as young as 6 months old to children 7 years and up. This range makes it easier for parents who have children of different ages or who just like to remain consistent as their bundle of joy grows and develops. The baby blends help parents introduce new ingredients as the baby grows. The focus is on organic and non-GMO ingredients that help babies develop their palates. Plus, the brand is also a partner of the Clean Label Project, just like Cerebelly.
• Cerebelly vs. Once Upon a Farm: Once Upon a Farm features organic snacks and meals for babies, toddlers, and big kids. The menu offers a variety of healthy options for busy parents who may have kids of different ages. Compared to Cerebelly, which only focuses on babies’ first stages of life, Once Upon a Farm’s variety is more appealing. Prices start at Price: Missing Product once-upon-a-farm per meal, but ordering isn’t as flexible as with Cerebelly. Additionally, many Once Upon a Farm meals must be refrigerated, while Cerebelly’s recipes are shelf-stable.

The Bottom Line: Is Cerebelly Worth It?

I think Cerebelly is a great option for a baby’s first life stages. I like that its recipes are based on actual science that supports brain development using natural organic ingredients. This focus on brain-supporting nutrients is essential, as early nutrition can have a long-lasting impact on a child's health and cognitive abilities.

While the menu isn’t as diverse as with other baby food brands, it’s enough for babies between 5 months and 25+ months old. Also, the recipes are well-designed, so even fussy babies can find a taste they like.

FAQ

Are there heavy metals in Cerebelly?

Cerebelly actively tests its products for heavy metals and is the first shelf-stable baby food brand to receive the Clean Label Project Purity Award. This award recognizes Cerebelly's commitment to safety and quality and shows that its recipes are a safe and healthy option for infant nutrition.

Is Cerebelly safe for babies?

Cerebelly uses high-quality, organic, non-GMO ingredients and packaging materials that ensure product safety and nutritional integrity. All of its recipes are free from added sugars (relying solely on natural sugars from fruits and vegetables) and 8 of the most common allergens.  

Are Cerebelly bars healthy?

Cereblly’s Smart Bars are safe for toddlers and incorporate 16 key brain-supporting nutrients without added sugars. They’re also delicious, with recipes that include blueberries, bananas, apples, and strawberries in combination with highly nutritious veggies.