Food Issues While Traveling

Updated on May 04, 2011
X.M. asks from Chesterfield, MO
10 answers

I always make my 9 month old son's food, but in a couple of weeks we will be going to another state and staying at a hotel. So there is no way I will be able to make his food while we are there. What should I do in that case? Give him pre made Gerber food? Will it affect his stomach since he has never had it. We don't need stomach problems aways from home. :)

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N.W.

answers from Eugene on

I have food allergies and take food with me when I travel. I prepare meals and pack them in plastic containers. If I'll be gone for more than a couple of days, I freeze some of the food for later in the week. If I'm driving, I throw all the food in an ice chest and transfer it to the mini-fridge in the hotel room, or keep the ice chest in my room and add fresh ice as necessary. Flying is harder but I still bring cold food (no liquids) in a small soft-sided cooler as one of my carry-ons.

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K.B.

answers from Milwaukee on

As other moms mentioned, try the pre made gerber food or other brands at home first to see how he handles it.

You could also premake food put it in a cooler for the trip, restocking with ice throughout the trip. If there's a fridge in your room you can store it in there instead of restocking the cooler with ice.

Do you have a small hand food mill so you can carry it in the diaper bag or a large purse to make the food on the go.

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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

That's what we always did. We traveled a fair amount when both my kids were still eating baby food and I always just bought Gerber. There is another organic brand that comes in these fancy pouches that some friends of mine use that looks really nice too and very easy for travel but I think any kind you get will be fine. As long as you stick to the same foods that he's used to eating there shouldn't be stomach problems. There really aren't additional ingredients so it will be fine! Also, I know most hotels let you rent little fridges to keep in your room and if you're staying for a while it might be a good idea. I know we'd always have half full containers and I hated throwing them out! Have fun!

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C.J.

answers from Dallas on

It shouldn't bother his tummy, but since you are traveling you may want to consider the squeeze packets. Many are organic and may be closer to what you would feed him naturally. They are simpler to store and create less waste and there are even little spoons that attach to the end of the bag so you don't have to dirty a bowl to keep from contaminating the jar:)
I had a friend over last weekend who used these and was completely jealous they didn't have them when I had my kids (fyi - they even make refillable ones for your own food for when you get home!!)
I just googled "squeeze baby food" but babies'r'us and Target sell them:)

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S.C.

answers from Fort Wayne on

Stop giving him baby food. He's old enough to be on table food. Start him now so that he's used to it. At 9 months, his nutrition is coming from formula or breast milk, not food.

He can eat almost anything you can eat. Just make sure to cut the pieces small enough so he doesn't choke.

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S.C.

answers from Fort Wayne on

Stop giving him baby food. He's old enough to be on table food. Start him now so that he's used to it. At 9 months, his nutrition is coming from formula or breast milk, not food.

He can eat almost anything you can eat. Just make sure to cut the pieces small enough so he doesn't choke.

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B.F.

answers from Chicago on

My boys hated the Gerber jars and wouldn't eat them. I would test them first to see if he likes them before you buy many of them for the trip. I usually gave my boys squished banana, baby cereal or table food.

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J.B.

answers from St. Louis on

I'd try to take some of your food in a cooler or ice-chest, but the store baby food shouldn't be a problem. I have mixed homemade and store bought often, especially when we'll be out somewhere. Earth's Best is a little more expensive, but it's all organic. That might be an extra step you could take to ease the transition. For 9 months, he might be able to handle some small chopped fruits, which you can take with you as fresh fruit and then chop when it's time to eat (bananas, apples, etc.)

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D.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

We still made DS's food while we were travelling (which was fairly frequent). Hotels always have lots of fruit, yogurt and cereal for breakfast and ours have always been very amenable about giving us fruit and yogurt to go for later lunches. If you ask nicely most restaurants will puree a portion of what you have ordered for yourself for your child. Or you can bring a small hand operated food mill. They are also almost always happy to simply steam veggies if that is what you want.

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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

The only thing I would mention is if he's formula fed, buy purified water to mix your formula. I only did that once, but it was when we went out-of-town to finalize our adoption, and I wanted to make sure she wasn't sick for our Court date.

As others have said, if you're traveling by car, freeze food packets, or just buy locally at an organic foods store.

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