To mark the launch of our brand new Eno Bouncer and Highchair seating system, we spoke to the lead designer behind the innovation, Nick Goodwill.
Here he shares how the Mamas & Papas in-house design team made Eno a game-changing product for modern families with its unique ability to grow with little ones' needs and better connect family life.
Can you tell us a little about the design process - what was your starting point for Eno?
Like every new product, it started with talking to users, exploring the pain points and frustrations around some of the existing products, and exploring ways that people want to use products differently. We looked at things they were saying online, we talked to them in real life through interviews and surveys, and we also talked to our store colleagues to explore what themes were emerging in conversations in the stores. Some of the key topics - such as comfort, convenience and connectivity - really shone through in those conversations, and those are the themes that we have tried to reflect within the design of both products.
How long has it taken to develop such a clever and thoughtfully designed product for young families?
Both products have taken around three years to design and develop. But that's not just going from sketches, that's back to those early conversations with users which are really worth taking that extra time for. The fact that the products combine raises some unique challenges that add time to the design process, but it's certainly been an enjoyable experience, and one that we're really excited to see launch and parents engage with.
Why was connecting the bouncer to the highchair important
We believe the connectivity of both products is a great feature, bringing the family together and expanding the bouncer's use. It's no longer just a floor-based product. Whether you want your baby at the dining table in an elevated position, need them raised while recovering from a caesarean, or want to keep them clear of curious or boisterous pets, the connected design offers that flexibility. From the start, it’s been clear that this connection not only provides more benefits for families but also greater value for money given the product’s expanded capabilities.
What are your favourite bouncer features?
Our signature Mamas & Papas comfort. This is an element that we weave into all our products. On the bouncer, we've used soft, plush fabrics and created lots of adjustable fit elements, so we're really confident it creates a comfortable, sound and ergonomic place to seat baby to relax or be entertained.
Convenience is also a key element. We wanted to create a highchair where everything you need is on the product ready for when you want to use it. If we look across the marketplace at some of the more premium offerings, we can see that they rely very much on modularity, but they're also quite feature-poor, with many key features like meal trays sold as accessories.
What makes the highchair great for weaning?
The easy-to-clean nature of Eno. This was a top-ranking requirement from those early conversations with users. Parents shared struggles like using cocktail sticks to clean food from cracks and soaking harness straps overnight. We responded by designing a product that’s quick and simple to clean. The seat shell is unpunctured with no holes or cracks, allowing for a quick wipe down, and the meal tray is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning between feeds.
We’ve used soft, recycled fabrics across the bouncer and highchair that are machine-washable and have wipeable coatings. Something that we're really proud of, and a real innovation in a highchair product, is the silicone harness straps, which are easy to clean when the inevitable spills happen, or baby puts bean juice on it!
If you could pick one thing that makes Eno special, what would it be?
It’s tough to pick just one thing, but we’re really proud of how the products connect and combine. Connecting family life is so important, especially when it offers versatility for families with different needs.
At the same time, we’re really proud that both products are strong, uncompromised offerings in their own right. The Eno bouncer offers a safe, super comfortable space for baby to rest or play, plus it’s one-hand fold is both innovative and incredibly handy! Meanwhile, the Eno highchair delivers a thoughtfully adjustable, feature-rich solution for parents seeking a premium-quality product that prioritises both functionality and design.
What inspired Eno’s design and style?
Our products face a unique challenge with two primary users—baby and adult—each with their own needs. Through conversations with customers, it’s clear that people want nursery items that complement their carefully curated interiors. Just because a product is for a baby doesn’t mean it should look juvenile, especially since it will be in an adult space. This ties into a broader trend of blending products into home decor with softer, more refined designs—think smart home devices evolving from stark plastic to stylish, textile-clad accents.
For the Eno products, we drew inspiration from classic furniture silhouettes and contemporary design trends to create a visual language that’s both modern and timeless. Soft shapes, rounded edges, and a neutral palette of beiges, warm whites, and wood tones help the products blend seamlessly into modern homes, while conveying comfort.
What sets Eno apart from the rest?
The Eno family offers exceptional convenience, value, and visual appeal compared to comparable products. Most other systems are broken up into modular components, which are sold separately, even though customers will need all of them at some point. This can become expensive to purchase and inconvenient to store. In contrast, the Eno bundle comes complete with everything you need, and components like the meal tray can all live on the product even when the bouncer is attached. Furthermore, we've included handy yet discreet QR codes on the products, allowing parents to quickly scan and access instruction manuals and demo videos in an instant.
The Eno highchair also offers unmatched adjustability—customising its height for different environments, such as dining table, breakfast bar or sofa, while ensuring consistent comfort for a growing child, which is rare in this category. Plus, the ability to fold the highchair, something not available in other systems, is a feature many parents consider essential.
What small design details stand out to you?
Being able to adjust the height of the highchair so that the meal tray can sit above the dining table is a really important feature for me. From my experience of using a product that couldn’t do this, I know how inconvenient it is to have baby sitting over an arm’s length away from the dining table at mealtimes. My son didn’t feel like part of the family unit, and we couldn’t enjoy meals together properly as we had to stretch over to him.
Additionally, the highchair’s removable belly bar is a really handy feature. We know that sometimes mealtimes can be a bit fraught, so being able to open up the front of the seat space and improve access felt like a great opportunity to make life a little easier for families.
On the bouncer, I love the versatility of the toy bar. The fact that it can pivot out of the way—either upwards, or outwards—means that it’s so much easier to get baby in and out. And of course, the simple one-handed interactions for key functions like adjusting the backrest angle or folding the product are real stand-out achievements.
