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On-the-Go Baby & Toddler Snack or Meal Ideas
Read time: 3 minutes
What to know about feeding your child while out of the house
It is not recommended to feed your baby or toddler in the car or stroller.
On the go snacks for toddlers and babies
Little ones may experience changes in appetite or eating behaviors when on the go.
Let’s face it: between the bottles and burp cloths, diapers, and changes of clothes, once you have a baby, doing anything “on the go” requires next-level packing and planning.
Then, once your baby is eating solids, it brings along the added challenge of what foods and feeding gear to pack, so your little one doesn’t miss a meal.
Read on to learn tips and tricks for feeding your baby while out and about.
Avoid feeding your baby in the car or stroller
While this article provides suggestions for feeding “on the go,” the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against feeding your little one in the car, when strapped in a car seat, or in the stroller.
Little ones can choke on even the most unassuming foods, and it might be hard to see this problem arise if they’re behind you in the car or below you in the stroller. And even when you do recognize the danger, it may be difficult to get them out of their harness fast enough to rescue them.1
For this reason, the “on the go” suggestions we make refer to any time you and your little one may be eating outside of the home, safely at a table or in a highchair, and with an adult’s supervision.
Read about: Preventing Choking in your Infants and Toddler
What types of foods should I pack for my baby and toddler?
Although nothing is mess-free when it comes to babies and toddlers, many foods are minimal mess and easily portable for your little one to enjoy (without needing several bibs or changes of clothes!).
Try to avoid foods that guarantee a mess, such as anything with red sauce.
Packing whole foods means you can easily mix and match a few different foods to make up a meal. As a nice bonus, many whole foods come packaged in their own wrapper (thank you, bananas!).
For babies who aren’t into advanced textures or finger foods quite yet, a fruit and veggie or yogurt pouch, along with a packed spoon, can be handy and usually doesn’t need refrigeration. It’s best to squeeze a bit of the pouched food onto the spoon and then feed it to your baby. That way you can save anything that your little one hasn’t eaten.
An older baby or toddler might enjoy bits of soft fruit alongside some shredded cheese or crumbled tofu.
Be aware that if you choose a pouch that does require refrigeration, or other perishable refrigerated foods such as eggs, cheese, or leftovers, they must be packed in a cooler bag with ice packs to keep them safe.7
Read more: What Role Should Baby Food Pouches Play in My Baby’s Diet?
Food safety for your infant and toddler
Remember that once a pouch or jar is opened and baby has eaten directly from the spout or you spoon directly from the jar, it introduces bacteria to the food which may multiply quickly. A pouch or jar should be tossed after a meal if baby has eaten directly from it.4
If squeezing the pouch contents onto a spoon or spooning jarred food into a bowl and feeding from the bowl, then the pouch or jar can be saved for a bit longer in a cooler bag with ice packs.
Opened pouches or jars must be refrigerated within 2 hours once baby is done eating, then it must be tossed within 48 hours.
If you will not be home within 2 hours, it is safest to throw out any remaining food, whether your baby ate directly from the pouch or jar.56
Read more:
Food Safety for Babies and Toddlers
How to Choose Store-Bought Baby Food
Wondering how to advance solids with your baby? Come chat with our team of registered dietitian nutritionists, fellow moms, and lactation specialists, available from Monday – Friday 8 am – 6 pm (ET). Chat now!
On-the-go snack ideas for toddlers and babies
Below are some ideas for portable snacks for your toddler and baby.
Note: The texture and size of the food offered depends on the age and developmental readiness of your baby or toddler. Cut, peel, or mash foods before heading out the door as needed.
Banana
Avocado
Soft, cooked apples or pears, skin removed; or chopped fresh fruit for toddlers
Soft pieces of kiwi, quartered or halved blueberries, cut up strawberries for toddlers or any fruit that can be mashed easily for babies
Shredded cheese
Hard-boiled egg
Hand-held pancakes
Grilled cheese sandwich cut into bite-size pieces
Cooked shredded chicken
Leftovers, such as these broccoli and cheese nuggets
Crumbled tofu
Cooked pasta
Whole grain O cereal
Fruit and veggie or yogurt pouches
Any of the above food ideas can be eaten alone as a snack, or combined (for example: shredded cheese, cooked pasta, and a veggie pouch) to make a balanced meal.
Read more: Nutritious Snack for Babies and Toddlers
What can my baby or toddler eat in a restaurant?
If you’re dining out with your little one in tow, you can easily bring any of the above food options. If needed, call ahead to make sure the restaurant has a highchair available.
Many menu items can be modified to give to your baby or toddler (such as cooked pasta, steamed veggies, or scrambled eggs). Chat with your server to discuss your options and requests.
Your toddler can enjoy the same foods you are eating as long as it is texture-appropriate, so order enough to share!
What feeding tools to pack for eating on the go
You can keep it simple when feeding your baby on the go, but certain food and feeding gadgets can make the experience a little easier:
Insulated lunch bag
Ice pack, especially if cooked or cold food will be out of refrigeration for more than two hours.2
Small glass or stainless-steel food containers
Baby spoons
Disposable or silicone suction placemat
Bibs
Wipes
Travel booster seat
With a little planning, eating on the go can be easy and enjoyable. But it’s important to be realistic too! Little ones thrive on routine, so don’t be surprised if your baby has a slight change in eating behaviors when eating outside the home.
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We know parenting often means sleepless nights, stressful days, and countless questions and confusion, and we want to support you in your feeding journey and beyond.
Our Happy Experts are a team of lactation consultants and registered dietitian nutritionists certified in infant and maternal nutrition – and they’re all moms, too, which means they’ve been there and seen that. They’re here to help on our free, live chat platform Monday - Friday 8am-6pm (ET). Chat Now!
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For more on this topic, check out the following articles:
Meal Plan for 6-12 Month Old Baby
Meal Plan for 12 Month Old Toddler
Meal Plan for 18 to 24 Months Old Toddler
Family Meals: Developing Healthy Eating Patterns
Introducing Solids: First Foods and Textures
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