Holidays, family weekends, or trips to the grandparents'... travelling with a baby inevitably requires a bit more planning. And when they start weaning, a new question is added to the list: what do we plan for their meals during the journey?
Between the meal that falls right in the middle of the motorway, the traffic jams that lengthen the journey, the heat and the famous bag in which you can never find what you need at the right time 😅, it's better to anticipate a little.
But there's no need to transport your entire kitchen! With a few essentials and carefully chosen foods, long journeys with baby can be perfectly integrated into the BLW .
Plan your meals in advance of departure
Before preparing a multitude of boxes, start by looking at what time you are leaving and what meals will be eaten during the journey.
For a three-hour journey after lunch, for example, a snack and some water will be more than enough. For a full day on the road, you'll obviously need to pack more.
Also, remember to allow a little extra time. A journey planned for four hours can easily last five or six with breaks and unforeseen events.
The goal is therefore not to plan ten meals “just in case”, but to have a small additional solution if the journey is prolonged.
What should I bring to eat during a long journey?
Choose foods that baby already knows and that are easy to transport.
Finger foods are particularly convenient:
- pancakes;
- vegetable patties;
- savory or sweet muffins;
- small cakes;
- wraps;
- fruits suitable for the baby's age;
- cooked and tender vegetables.
You can also provide applesauce or yogurt if you have the necessary conditions to store them properly.
To get plenty of ideas before you leave, check out our article 15 easy recipes to take everywhere with baby.
Warning: Baby should not eat pieces of food while the car is moving
This is probably the most important point of this article.
Although it may seem convenient to give a piece of fruit, a biscuit or a wafer to a baby to keep them occupied, avoid offering them solid food when the car is moving.
In case of a problem, you would not be able to intervene immediately and the baby is installed in his car seat, in a position that is not the one recommended for eating.
👉 For meals and solid snacks, we take a break, take the baby out of their seat and position them properly to eat under adult supervision.
It's also an opportunity for the whole family to stretch their legs before hitting the road again.
Find all the essential recommendations in our article Safety rules in BLW.
Plan for breaks rather than trying to stick to the exact time
You had planned to have lunch at noon, but the baby is fast asleep?
There's no need to wake up the whole car just because the clock says 12:01. 😅
Conversely, if he clearly shows signs of hunger before the scheduled time, take advantage of a rest area to take a break.
Holidays require a little flexibility. Schedules can change without disrupting the baby's weaning process.
We discuss this very topic in our article "Should we keep the same meal times during the holidays?".
Hydration during long journeys
In summer, this is a point to pay particular attention to.
An air-conditioned car may give the impression that it is not hot, but the baby must continue to be hydrated regularly.
Before the age of one, breast milk or formula remains the baby's primary source of nutrition and contributes significantly to their hydration. With the introduction of solid foods, water can also be offered regularly.
During breaks, remember to offer your baby something to drink, especially on hot days.
You can also find all our tips in How to properly hydrate baby during the summer?
How to store meals during travel
In the middle of summer, a meal left in a car for several hours can quickly become a problem.
For foods that need to stay cool, use an insulated bag or cooler with ice packs and limit as much time as possible spent at room temperature.
Once you arrive at your destination, quickly place any food that needs to be kept cold in the refrigerator.
For long journeys, also opt for preparations that travel easily rather than particularly fragile foods.
Find our complete advice in How to properly store baby food?
And what about a train journey?
Traveling by train generally allows for more freedom.
The baby can be taken out of their seat and properly positioned to eat. You can therefore prepare a proper meal, provided you have a stable and safe place to set them up.
The insulated bag remains your best ally for transporting fresh food.
Also, pack a relatively simple and mess-free meal. A blueberry muffin exploding between two little hands in the middle of a crowded train carriage might leave a lasting impression, but not necessarily the one you had in mind. 😅
And by plane?
When traveling by plane, the arrangements depend a lot on the duration of the flight and the age of the baby.
Prepare some familiar and easy-to-carry foods, taking into account the baggage and liquid rules of your airline and the airport.
For a long flight, always allow a little more than necessary in case of delays.
And as with all travel, there's no need to use the trip as an opportunity to introduce a new food or allergen. Stick to foods that are already familiar and well-tolerated by your baby.
✨ Practical tip: the baby lunch bag
To make sure you don't forget anything before you leave, remember to pack the following in your bag:
✔️ Water and formula as needed for baby's milk
✔️ A familiar meal or snack
✔️ A small extra portion in case of delays
✔️ An airtight container
✔️ An insulated bag and ice packs if needed
✔️ Baby's usual cup
✔️ A bib
✔️ A spoon if needed
✔️ Wipes or a cloth diaper
✔️ A bag for waste and soiled items
You don't need much more. The goal is precisely to travel light while having the essentials within easy reach.
What if the baby eats almost nothing during the journey?
A trip represents a great deal of stimulation.
The new environment, fatigue, heat or simply excitement can temporarily alter its appetite.
So don't focus on the quantity consumed in a single day.
Continue offering food without forcing it, ensure it stays hydrated, and observe its general condition. It will usually return to its usual rhythm once you arrive at your destination.
If this situation worries you, see our article Baby refuses to eat: normal or worrying?
In summary
A long journey with a baby requires some planning, but it is not necessary to pack an entire suitcase just for their meals.
Choose a few familiar and easy-to-carry foods, plan an extra solution in case of delays, store fresh food properly and take advantage of breaks to feed baby in good conditions.
And most importantly, in the car, the music is waiting for the next break.
The holiday starts with the journey, so it's best to avoid turning the back seat into a mobile restaurant. 🚗☀️
