Weaning my baby while on Holiday - How do I do it?
Holidaying with Your Baby During Weaning: Top Tips for feeding your baby while travelling.
By Laura Carbery of Hungry Munchkins
4 Min Read
Taking your baby on holiday is an exciting adventure, but when your little one is in the process of weaning onto solid foods, you may be getting anxious about planning their food for while you are away.
I always say to parents to please not worry about weaning on holidays. Your baby might not eat as well while they are on holidays but once they’re breastfeeding on demand or getting the correct amount of formula for their age, you’ve plenty of time to catch up with your weaning schedule when home. Holidays should be fun and as parents you really need this break away. It’s also okay to delay starting weaning onto solids until after your holiday.
Here’s a guide to help make your holiday enjoyable and stress free when travelling with your weaning baby.
1. Plan Ahead with Baby-Friendly Accommodation
When booking your accommodation, it can be beneficial to book somewhere with baby-friendly facilities. A kitchenette or a microwave in your room can be incredibly helpful for preparing and heating baby food. Many family-oriented hotels and resorts provide high chairs, which will make mealtime easier. If they can’t provide a high chair, you could bring a portable travel high chair or booster seat. These are lightweight and easy to pack, making them perfect for holiday travel.
2. Pack Smart
Pack a few of your baby’s favourite weaning foods so you’ve a few bits to keep you going for the time you travel and arriving to your destination. When we travelled many times with the kids as babies, I used to pack a little lunchbox with some vegetable/fruit finger foods, a Weetabix in a bowl with a lid so I could add milk in the airport and plenty of unperishable snacky bits like breadsticks and oatcakes. You don’t need to pack tonnes as once you arrive, you will have hopefully figured out a local supermarket or restaurant where you can get some food.
Don’t forget to pack a spoon, bowl, bib and a sippy cup for your baby to create a comfortable and familiar environment. It may feel like you’re having to pack half the house and the kitchen sink but one of each is perfect for the holiday!
Read more here about my top tips for choosing baby pouches.
3. Research Local Supermarket & Restaurant Options
Look into the local restaurants and availability of baby-friendly foods at your destination. Knowing where you can buy familiar items or baby food can save you a lot of stress. Often it’s much easier to get lovely fresh ripe fruit and fresh produce abroad than at home. Natural yogurts, avocados, melon, cucumber, cheese, tinned beans etc are all perfect for your weaning baby when on holidays.
4. Bring Some Frozen Homemade Meals
If you’re not travelling too far from home, it can be handy to bring a few portions of frozen homemade meals for your baby. Just pop them into a cooler bag with an icepack while you’re travelling and pop straight into the freezer or fridge when you arrive.
5. Avoid Trying New Potentially Allergenic Foods While Away
Holidays, especially if you’re abroad, is not the best time to be introducing new, potentially allergen foods. Stick to foods you know your baby tolerates well as you want to try avoiding any issues while away. If you want to introduce new allergenic foods, make sure you’ve introduced them several times before you head away on holidays.
6. Stay Hydrated
Traveling can be dehydrating for both you and your baby, especially if you’re travelling somewhere warm. If you’re breastfeeding, continue to breastfeed on demand. There is no need for extra water for your baby. Your baby may breastfeed more on holidays due to the heat and change in routine and that is perfectly okay. You will get back to routine again when home.
Carry a reusable water bottle and sippy cup to keep your baby hydrated throughout the trip. If you’re bottle feeding you may need to offer your baby extra sips of water throughout the day.
7. Be Prepared for Some Mess
Weaning can be messy, especially on the go. Pack extra wipes, a change of clothes for both you and your baby, and I’d definitely consider bringing a bib to protect your baby’s clothes during meals to save you having to pack too many clothes for the holiday.
8. Keep Snacks Handy
Having healthy snacks readily available can help keep your baby happy when you’re out and about on holidays. Consider bringing easy-to-carry options like rice cakes, cut-up fruits, or baby-friendly crackers.
9. How to Make Up Formula Bottles When AbroIf then water is safe to use, then make up your formula bottles as normal.
If the tap water isn’t safe to drink, then you must use bottled water to make up your baby’s formula and it must be boiled first. Check the label to make sure the water contains:
• Less than 20mg per 100ml of sodium
• No more than 25mg per 100ml of sulphate
Alternatively, you can pack or purchase locally, bottles of prepared baby formula.
10. Pack Some Antibacterial Wipes
You may not have easy access to somewhere to wash your baby’s food utensils so it can be handy to pack some antibacterial wipes and a travel sterilizer can be useful if you’ve bottles to clean and sterilise. If you’re unsure about the local water quality, use bottled water for washing and preparing food.
11. Be Flexible and Enjoy
Remember that holidays are meant to be enjoyable and relaxed. Be flexible with your baby's feeding schedule and try to go with the flow. It's okay if mealtimes shift slightly or if your baby doesn't eat as much as usual. Trust your baby's appetite and let them guide you.
Embrace the adventure and enjoy this special time with your little one!
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE….
Baby Weaning Class
Option 1: Purchase & Watch the Baby Weaning Class in your own time.
Option 2: Attend a Live Online Baby Weaning Class with Laura.
Are you starting your baby on solid foods and finding it hard to know where to begin? It can be minefield with so much information out there.
My baby weaning class is designed to lay the foundations for healthy and happy eating. I will provide you with the latest evidence based information and lots of cooking tips to help during this important time.
You will leave the class feeling confident and prepared for feeding your baby from first tastes right up to feeding a toddler. This should be a fun time so I hope I can help you relax and enjoy the experience.
What’s included:
2 - 2.5 hour class with Laura
Detailed PDF Notes with advice, tips and recipes
Meal Planner
Cookery demonstration - showing easily family meals, finger foods and how to adapt meals for baby
Email support after the class
