The Family Vacation – Travelling With Wee Ones

The Family Vacation – Travelling With Wee Ones

Traveling somewhere warmer than what the American’s often call the ‘Great North’ this winter? Excited? Or maybe the thought of navigating the gear, flight and food for your baby or toddler has you completely overwhelmed.

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked about what to do about taking food on a trip, I’d be in Hawaii by now!

You may have just started your baby on solids, or are just venturing into new territories with finger foods and chunky meals or your toddler has certain likes and dislikes. Basically, you’re in a food groove and your getaway is about to rock the boat.

Whether you’re heading off on an all-inclusive holiday, a road trip, a Disney cruise, long plane ride to Australia or just somewhere other than home, fret no more, here’s what you can do.

Make and Take

Firstly, take what your baby or toddler is used to. I’m not suggesting that the kitchen comes with you, but if there are favourites or staples, make and take it with you.

I’ve had many clients suggest that they fill their suitcase with jars, but that can be risky. If your baby doesn’t eat jarred food (and ‘Sprout Right’ or Mommy Chef followers know where I’m coming from) and is partial to your homemade cuisine, what makes you think that they will be happy with the change to the taste of a jar? I’ve heard more struggles of getting babies to eat jars while on holiday than I have single socks (damn washing machine!).

Make your batches of food, freeze as usual in cubes or containers, and take favourites with you, frozen, in a cooler bag and packed in your luggage—not carry on baggage though. In the hold (the belly of the plane), it’s cold, so that will help your efforts. Take enough for at least three days. That’ll give you enough time to figure out the lay of the land once you get to your destination. What’s the buffet got to offer, or do you need to scope out the local fare? For those first three days, you’ll be able to feed your baby or toddler, without the stress.

Feeding Local Food

From the all inclusive buffets of Cuba or Dominican Republic, to the supermarkets of the Sunshine State, aboard a cruise ship (if you are as lucky as some of my friends, the new beyond outstanding (Disney Dream), or self catering in a house you’ve rented, your kiddie still needs to eat.

No real panic, you have enough food for a few days, so check out what’s fresh in stores, maybe there are some foods that you can’t get back home that look healthy. Or where and when you can lay your hands on food in the places you are going, even if it’s to the pool!

Make Feeding Easier

Any soft food that you’d like to offer your baby or tot, can be mashed or pureed with a fab new gadget called “The Wean Machine”. I came across this product about a month ago and thought it was the perfect product for moms on the go, traveling or those wanting to feed their babies or toddlers off their plate. It’s simple to use, clean and throw back into your bag for later. It’ll puree anything steamed like soft noodles, cooked sweet potato, ripe banana, pear, avocado or blueberry (or why not mix those fruits all together and see what happens!). If you are on a Disney Cruise, the chef will be happy to give you steamed veggies or food suitable for mashing for your baby. Most restaurants oblige parents when asked for some steamed, unseasoned food to mash—then presto, dinner is made without you entering a kitchen. That’s what I call a holiday!

While out and about on your trip, take food with you, enough for most of the day knowing that at least one destination will involve sitting down for a meal. Use cooler bags with a cold pack in it, or if trying to keep food warm a hot pack and still put it in your cooler bag (sounds backwards right?) as it should retain the heat.

I came across a new bento system for snacks and lunches that I loved and then found that Skip Hop makes a diaper bag with a cooler section in the bottom that is called The Bento Bag! That just made your life easier once again. See, this traveling with baby and tot isn’t so worrisome with the right gear. Fill up the sections with snacks, dips and a meal, and your away to the races!

A lot of my clients have heard me recommend some of the Boon feeding products over the years, and the Squirt and Snack Ball are a must for your travels. The Squirt not only holds your baby’s puree, but is also a spoon with a cover to keep it clean. It also has the alter ego of a great chew toy too as the silicone half keeps babies and toddlers busy for a while. Lids were always a favourite of my daughters to play with at a restaurant, or out and about, and the Snack Ball kept them busy for ages; rolling it, opening the lid – what’s inside? Then swing the lid back around. It almost gave my husband and I enough time to finish a short conversation!

Avoiding the Upset Tummy

No matter where you are traveling, you and your child are going to come across a host of new bacteria that’s new and maybe not-so-groovy. Food poisoning bacteria of E. coli, campylobacter, salmonella, and Clostridium are more than likely what you might encounter. Avoiding uncooked meat, eggs and unpasteurized dairy should for the most part keep you safe. Avoid drinking water unless treated or from a known clean source should also reduce the risk of common food poisoning symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps therefore dehydration. If your child has such symptoms, find a medical doctor for help and guidance.

No matter where you are traveling, I always recommend taking probiotics before you go. Well, you’ve heard me recommend it when you stay at home, yes, but perhaps insist taking it when on a trip.

Colonizing the intestines with friendly bacteria (where the bad guys above attack), may lessen the duration and severity of your symptoms. There are products for baby (Genestra’s HMF Natogen for 0 – age 1), toddlers and kids (Genestra’s HMF Powder) and adults (Genestra’s HMF Intenstive) perfect for crowding out any bad guys, keeping the immune system strong (ever get sick when you go on holiday after being stressed and super busy before you go?), which we all need from time to time.

Now that you’ve got a plan of action in the food department, time to pack up the suitcase with all those ‘just-in-case’ items, swim suit, sun screen (our fave is Badger by the way), and off you go on your adventure.

If you’re still worried though, let’s hear what’s on your mind below.

Bon Voyage, safe travels and don’t forget to send me a postcard!