How do you feed a one year old+ when you're out and about?

Amber - posted on 03/18/2010

Like everyone said, I pack some finger foods and a container of baby food (I make my own) along with a sippy cup and order some milk or juice from where every I am. We also feed off of our plate when appropriate too. Restaurants with salad bars off lots of goodies that are the perfect size for baby.

Andrea - posted on 03/18/2010

Many restaurants sell milk and you can just bring your own cup for him. Also milk can sit out and still be safe for up to 2 hours and you can buy those cups that freeze to keep the milk cold, or pack it in a small cooler with an ice pack.
Try carrying Fruit cups (they don't have to be cold to eat).
Then like a lot of people said carry your own whole grains and baby foods if he will still eat them.
Many fast food restaurants are now trying to appear healthy and are offering some fruits, veggies and yogurts on their menus. Try looking at online menus and frequenting those places that have choices for him if you have to get fast food. Just watch out many of those "healthy" choices are loaded with sugar and the nuggets or fries may actually be a better choice).
Sit down restaurants almost always have side dishes of applesauce, cottage cheese, veggies, and fruit. If they make their salads I have found they are willing to give you a bowl of a specific thing (we ask for cucumbers and some will even dice a hard boiled egg for you)

Sharon - posted on 03/17/2010

If we're out we usually just find somewhere that I think will sell decent food i.e. not take away/fast food and either C will eat some of mine or I'll get her something from the children's menu. Milk isn't a problem cos she's breastfed but could you just take a bottle of cooled, boiled water and have the powder separately to make up when you need it. I'm sure that's recommended these days anyway on the milk tins for any feed not just when you're out.

Nadine - posted on 03/17/2010

i might have a jar of food in my bag that i have brought from the shop or if i have made it then i carry it round in a pot with a lid maybe in a little cool bag as this keeps it nice and fresh, or i try and make sure that i go to a restuarant that does food designed for a child

Rachel - posted on 03/17/2010

I take a jar of baby food, or a plastic container or home made food, a bowl and a rubber spoon. My baby will eat it at room temperature. I used to always warm it for my older son, and he got used to it, so best to start by giving it at room temperature! I take a bottle with only water in it, and then put the milk powder in at the time. If you ask in cafe's, they will let you put the bottle in a jug of hot water on the counter to warm (it takes just a few seconds in a metal jug).

What are Gerber snacks? Is that a baby food in America? I tend to take rice cakes, bread sticks, a banana and cut up grapes everywhere with me, too.

I have never given my near 11 months old fast food. I didn't give my eldest chicken nuggets until he was 2 1/2, and then rarely.

It seems like hard work with your first child, but by the time you get to the second, you just do it by force of habit! I keep a plastic container of bread sticks, baby biscuits and rice cakes in the changing bag, and change and wash it every couple of days.

Tracy - posted on 03/16/2010

I make a meal or two on sunday like beef and vege stew or mac and cheese then blend it slightly, and freeze it into a muffin tray. I then have lunch ready for him everyday and by the time we get to where we are going it has defrosted. Sometimes I'll have to warm it up and other times he'll just eat it. I also use the long life poppers once he's on cow's milk but he is still breastfed so not an issue yet.

Summer - posted on 03/16/2010

It depends on where I'm going. If I'm going to be stopping for lunch then I get something baby friendly from the menu, if I'm going to a friend/relative's house I'll just bring whatever I would have fed them at home. The biggest challenge I come across is when I'm running the type of errands that will keep me confined to the car. At which point I pack a picnic blanket and (I make my own baby food) throw some left overs in the food processor transfer to a tuperware and stuff it in an insulated lunch box along with my lunch and we picnic. Until we get to the park or wherever we're going to picnic at I'll hand out some snacks (veggie puffs or heck my daughter will eat a banana if I peel it and hand it to her) to tide her over. But it makes the day so much better if I make a point to stop the running around and let her eat and play even if it is only for 15-20 mins.

Kerry - posted on 03/16/2010

i always go out with a sandwich packed, a few dried biscuits and cheese pieces. in the supermarket you can by longlife milk in a tetra pack with a straw so you don't have the issue of keeping it cold and it will travel anywhere :)

Diane - posted on 03/16/2010

My son loves freeze dried fruits & veggies (I buy the "just tomatoes, etc" brand with no other ingredient beside the fruit or veggie, very healthy), those are easy to carry in the diaper bag in case he gets hungry.



If I know I'm going to be out during a meal time I will make him something ahead of time, like a quesadilla or pancake or whatever it is & chop it up & put it in a food storage container & put it in the diaper bag--those things can go for a few hours without refrigeration & be fine.



I've been putting half whole milk & half formula in his bottles now, so I carry whole milk in a little freezer bag made for carrying bottles (I got it at my baby shower, it's from Babies R Us, made by playtex I think). But now I'm switching my son to goat milk, so while I give him fresh (from the carton) goat milk at home, I just use the powder goat milk on the go (just like I did with formula). I only give my son organic milk, so it's important to me to have it with me & not try to find it while I'm out, which isn't always easy to find.



That's what works for me. My hubby has 2 kids (22 yrs & 16 yrs) from a previous marriage & he says once they get even a little older he always carried a ice chest in his car when he was out with them & had drinks & cut up fruits & other healthy snacks in there for them. He never ate out, fast food is very unhealthy & a bad habit to start them on so young.

Jennifer - posted on 03/16/2010

I also say get a soft sided cooler/lunch bag with ice packs. I have a nice bag from a Dr. Brown's gift set that I use regular ice packs with. Table food - I carry Cheerios, crackers and order something he can eat with me.

Helen - posted on 03/16/2010

I pack 3rd phase gerber food, cheerios, I'll feed her that or maybe something off the kid menu she loves mac n cheese she's still nursing so I usually nurse her when we get home or when we're out and about I usually do errands right after she eats so I have a couple of hours before she has to eat again...hope that helps!

Tina - posted on 03/16/2010

You can get milk anywhere you go so I just get it wherever we are. I usually bring a jar of baby food or Gerber finger foods like yogurt puffs or fruit puffs, I also always have animal crackers and cheerios in a container.

Shawna - posted on 03/15/2010

Hi! I bring goldfish, graham crackers, cheerios, a banana, or any type of fruit cut up and anything else. Get a lunch bag with those ice packs. I wouldn't recommend stopping somewhere everytime you want to feed your baby. Just go with your gut and be organized. :)

Orissa - posted on 03/15/2010

if I'm out and about I'll stop by a mcdonalds just to pick up some apple slices and some milk when I'm out, I dilute it still but that doesn't seem to be an issue. If I go to resaurant for luch or something I ask them if they have any baby friendly foods and surprisingly more often then not a kind waitress will bring us something small for her at no charge