BLW On The Go: Tips and Easy Recipes For Feeding Baby While Traveling

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Traveling with your baby doesn’t mean you have to abandon baby-led weaning.

I’ve done baby-led weaning while camping, sleeping in an Airbnb, and in hotel rooms since my kids were 6 months old.

So I know a little about how to do baby-led weaning while traveling on the go.

With a little careful planning, you can ensure that your child is fed, happy, and safe while exploring new places.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to do baby-led weaning while traveling and feeding solid foods on the go.

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Tips for Packing the Best Travel Food for Babies

When choosing food for travel, keep these things in mind:

Choose Less Messy Foods

When doing baby-led weaning on the go, it’s a good idea to pack foods that don’t create a lot of mess.

You don’t want to clean up pasta sauce and messy purees before getting on a flight or while driving on a road trip.

So, it’s best to pick finger foods that require little cleanup. Some good options are chicken nuggets, French fries, and steamed veggies.

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Pack Temperature Neutral Foods

Foods that can be eaten either hot or cold are great options to pack for traveling with a baby.

This way, you won’t have to worry about keeping anything warm in a thermos or cold in a freezer bag.

Some options include baked sweet potatoes and hard-boiled eggs. These are great for travel.

Note that some foods need to be kept cold or warm depending on their storage instructions. This is to prevent the rapid growth of bacteria.

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Pre-cut Foods before you go

If you need to cut fruits or vegetables in a certain way because of your baby’s age, then cut them before you leave the house.

This way, you can feed your baby right away. Remember not to pack anything that could be a potential choking hazard to your baby.

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Pack whole foods rather than purees

Parents are often tempted to use jarred purees for baby-led weaning while traveling. This may be convenient, but your baby won’t be getting any of the benefits of baby-led weaning which include practicing hand-eye coordination, strengthening their fine motor skills, and more!

Pack a variety of foods

Don’t be afraid to include different types of food in the diaper bag.

Feeding your baby different varieties of textures and colors is a great way to keep them interested in eating during baby-led weaning.

One way to do this is to feed them whatever the family is eating.

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Safety Tips for Feeding Solid Foods on the Go

Feeding your baby outside the comfort of home requires some extra care. Here are a few safety tips:

Always watch for signs of readiness when introducing new foods.
Make sure the pieces of food are the right size for your baby to grasp and chew safely.
Avoid foods that are potential choking hazards, like whole grapes, whole apples, or large chunks of food.
Stay prepared with a cooler bag to keep perishables like homemade baby food fresh.
If you’re unsure about any food, check with your child’s healthcare provider for advice, especially if your baby has food allergies.

Essential Feeding Gear to Bring Along When Traveling

Bringing the right tools can make baby-led weaning on the go much easier. Here are the most important items:

Pack a travel high chair

A portable high chair helps your baby eat safely and feel like a part of family mealtime.

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Pack a bib for protection

A waterproof bib makes cleaning up quick and easy. Go for the long-sleeve version with full coverage for better protection.

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Pack spill-proof straw cups

Spill-proof straw cups are a good choice for keeping your baby hydrated without spills. You can also choose to use open cups but keep in mind that this may cause some spills.

Feeding therapists and the AAP do not recommend using sippy cups because they interfere with a baby’s oral development.

Bring along some utensils

Even though a baby self-feeds during baby-led weaning, having spoons or forks handy can help with new foods and help them practice their hand-eye coordination

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Use suction silicone plates for travel

Suction silicone or bamboo plates are what I recommend using when traveling. They’re easy to clean and can adhere to any travel high chair or table.

Some come with lids to help pack some snacks on the go.

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Easy Travel Food For Babies On the Go

Fresh fruits

Pick fruits that are soft and easy to chew. Think of things like ripped bananas, oranges, and soft pears. You can pre-cook hard fruits like apples to make them soft before packing them on the go.

Cooked pasta

Pasta is a great dish for baby-led weaning while traveling. It can be eaten both hot or cold. It also makes a great finger food for babies to practice their pincer grasp.

Easy Pasta Recipes for Baby-led Weaning on the Go

Roasted, Steamed or Stir Fried Veggies

These are easy for babies to eat without needing to reheat them.

Simple Take-Along Veggie Recipes for Short Trips

Muffins

Muffins are great travel foods for baby-led weaning. They can be eaten at room temperature so you won’t need to reheat them.

Easy Muffin Recipes for Traveling With Babies

Waffles

Waffles can be eaten as breakfast or lunch depending on what you serve on the side. Chicken, waffles, and vegetables are some of my kid’s favorite lunches.

Waffle Recipes for Baby-led Weaning Travel

Sweet Potatoes

Baked or steamed sweet potatoes are perfect for young children just starting their weaning journey.

Easy Sweet Potato Recipes For BLW On The Go

Pancakes

Great for breakfast. Can be pre-cut and served on the go either warm or cold.

Favorite Pancake Recipes for Travel

Best On-the-Go BLW Protein Foods

Best Travel Sandwiches & Toasts For Babies

Quesadilla
Avocado Tuna Sandwich For Babies (Ready In 10 Mins)
Yummy Grilled Avocado Sandwich For Baby & Toddlers
Delicious Egg Yolk on Toast For Babies
3-ingredient Eggy Bread (Baby French Toast)
Avocado Egg Toast For Baby-Led Weaning
Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches

Tips for Baby-led Weaning in Hotel Rooms

Stay somewhere with a kitchenette or microwave so you can prepare homemade baby food or warm leftovers.
Use a cooler bag to store fresh foods and snacks when heading out of the hotel.
Offer family foods that you’re already eating to save time and ensure your baby gets real food instead of just pouches and purees.
Make clean-up easy by bringing disposable placemats and wipes for your little one’s food area.

Tips for Baby-led Weaning in Airports and Airplanes

Travel days can feel overwhelming, but these tips can help:

Pack easy, travel-friendly finger foods like steamed veggies and soft fruits that can easily be fed while waiting for your flight
Use a diaper bag to organize snacks, spill-proof cups, and utensils.
Feed your baby before boarding to make them less fussy during takeoff.
Be mindful of food safety and pack shelf-stable snacks like fruit pouches for longer flights. I like using shelf-stable milk when traveling with my babies to make things easier.
If your baby is still drinking breast milk, then create a schedule that fits breastfeeding in between meal time. Consider using powdered formula if your baby can tolerate it.

Tips for Baby-led Weaning in Restaurants

Eating out while practicing baby-led weaning can be enjoyable with the right approach:

Choose restaurants that offer family meals so that your baby can eat what everyone else is eating.
Stick with healthy menu options. So you’ll be sure that your baby is eating a balanced diet.
Use a travel high chair or one provided by the restaurant. It’s best not to hold a baby in your lap to feed because they won’t be maintaining proper posture. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using a high chair to help position your baby safely to prevent choking while eating.
Bring your baby’s own food if the menu lacks baby-friendly options.
Encourage your baby to feed themselves by using a suction plate or bowl. Provide utensils when necessary

Final Thoughts About BLW on the Go

With the right preparation, baby-led weaning can fit seamlessly into travel days, whether you’re going on road trips, dining out, or flying.

Focus on nutritious, easy-to-eat finger foods, bring along essential gear like a high chair and cooler bag, and prioritize your baby’s safety.

Enjoy making memories while feeding your baby like the rest of the family at meal times!