Our story
The story behind doddl
doddl was founded by Cat — a parent of three children under two (including twins), who discovered the mess and stress of mealtimes wasn't caused by her children. It was the cutlery.
Three children under two
Mealtimes in Cat's house were loud, messy and relentless. Three small children, multiple attempts a day, food going everywhere except mouths. The kind of daily experience that starts to feel like a judgement on your parenting.
The broken fork
During a family holiday, her daughter's plastic fork snapped. She picked up the short broken end — and immediately started eating more successfully than she ever had. The difference wasn't the child. It was the handle length.
The decision to do it properly
Cat could have made something quickly. She didn't. What followed was a rigorous research programme: Innovate UK funding, partnerships with Norland College, Exeter University, ergonomics specialists and materials scientists. Controlled testing with 300 children. Independent safety validation at Intertek.
Why it still matters
doddl now helps over a million children worldwide. But the reason it exists hasn't changed. Mealtimes are the single greatest developmental opportunity of early childhood — three times a day, every day, from first bite to first day at school. That's why mealtimes matter.