Travelling with a Baby: Food Packing Checklist
Whether it is a drive to your nani's house, a road trip up north or a flight abroad, feeding a baby on the move takes planning. This checklist covers what to pack by age, how to keep food safe, and how to handle meals on the road.
The basic travel food kit
- Breast milk, formula or your baby's usual milk
- Clean bottles or an open cup, plus a sealed bottle of water
- A small flask of hot water for porridge or formula
- Bowl with a lid, spoons and a bib
- Wipes, hand sanitiser and a bag for used items
- Snacks that do not need a fridge
What to pack by age
6 to 8 months
- A ready porridge mix that needs only hot water or milk
- Ripe bananas or avocado to mash on the spot
- Small pouch or jar of puréed fruit, if you use them
9 to 12 months
- Porridge mix, plus soft fruit
- Soft finger foods: small pieces of soft roti, steamed vegetables in a cool box
- Dissolvable snacks your baby already eats well
1 year and up
- Porridge mix or porridge bites made at home
- Soft fruit, roasted makhana pieces, homemade biscuits
- Sandwiches or rolls for the first few hours, kept cool
Keeping food safe on the road
- Use a cool box with ice packs for anything cooked, dairy or cut fruit.
- Throw away leftovers from a bowl your baby has eaten from. Saliva makes food spoil faster.
- Do not keep cooked rice warm for hours. Eat it fresh or keep it cold.
- Use boiled or bottled water for drinks and for making formula.
Road trips
- Plan stops every 2 to 3 hours for feeds and nappy changes.
- Feed before getting back in the car. Eating in a moving car raises the choking risk, so do not give snacks while your baby is lying back in a car seat.
- Restaurant food on highways is often salty and spicy. Order plain items like boiled rice, daal or plain roti for toddlers, and use your own food for babies.
Flights
- Airlines usually allow reasonable amounts of baby milk, food and water in hand luggage. Check your airline's rules before you fly.
- Feeding or giving a drink during take-off and landing can help with ear pressure.
- Carry extra food in case of delays.
Visiting relatives
Family members often want to feed your baby their favourite treats. A gentle plan helps: bring your baby's own food, and explain simply that your baby does not have sugar, salt, honey or tea yet. Most relatives are happy to help once they know.
Printable checklist
- Milk and feeding bottles or cup
- Water and a flask of hot water
- Porridge mix and spoons
- Bowl with lid and bib
- Fruit and snacks
- Cool box and ice packs
- Wipes, sanitiser and bags
- Spare clothes
Made for travel
Nutri Bowl has two travel mixes: Poha & Dates and Puffed Rice & Makhana. Each is ready in five minutes with hot milk or water and has no preservatives. Both contain nuts, so offer them once your baby has tried nuts safely.
Heading to the beach in Karachi? See our day out in Karachi guide.
This article is general information, not medical advice. If your baby has diarrhoea, vomiting or signs of dehydration while travelling, seek medical care.
Pack for your next trip: order a Travel Mix. Cash on delivery across Pakistan.
