Travelling Advice with a 14 month old

[FutureHKmom]

Louisouis - thanks! where do you get japanese food packets of toddler's food?

I'm not totally against letting my son eat some restaurant food - but I just wasn't sure that three meals a day for 14 days would be good for him given the amount of salt and sugar and whatever else that could be added to the food. I guess I'm just being overly cautious as a first time mother.

 

[carang]

it's only 2 weeks, not for the rest of his life. it won't adversely affect him in the long run.

 

[Sazzy]

What does your son eat now? Any favourites? Are you meeting relatives? Any self-catering accommodation?

 

[beckveldman]

OP, totally understand your caution if this is your first major trip with your first child! Neither of my children were eating identical food to us at this age, either.

I would second the recommendation to take along supplies of the primary milk source your child is used to (in our case it was still breastmilk at this age, so very easy). Then, personally, I always found it useful to take along supplies of their usual breakfast (in our case, cereal) to start the day well. Additionally, plenty of any pre-packaged snack foods which they might like (e.g. small packets of dried fruit).

Armed with those as a base, if they then turned their noses up at absolutely everything else, I knew at least they weren't starving and all would be well once we got home!

I once had a trip with my eldest when he was about 15 months old, where he went on a complete food strike and refused everything but breastmilk for a few days. His silent protest in a busy travel schedule that year. Finally after a few days we managed to coax him with some lush blueberries - he went on to eat a whole punnet in one sitting! It's funny to look back on it now

In the end it's probably all to do with the personality of your child: I guess some children eat everything! Both of mine have been firmly more "eat to live, and only just barely" than the other way around.

 

[Aava.Wong]

you can also take packets of those organic rice cereals - just mix hot water/milk and voila! you can mash bananas or other types of mushy fruits and veggies to give him a variety.

 

[FutureHKmom]

My son had been eating congee with veggies and mince meat for awhile now two times a day. About a month ago, he kind of revolted and wouldn't take it anymore - so I have started giving him other stuff, namely soup pasta with veggies and mince meat and sometimes mashed pumpkin with spinach and mince meat or fish. Tried to give him tomatoes once, but he didn't like it...but want to try it again in a pasta sauce. My problem with him is that he is kind of a finicky eater. For breakfast he has oatmeal or fruit, though for some strange reason, he won't take the oatmeal if I feed it to him, he will only take it if the nanny feeds it to him (nanny is not coming with us on the trip). He loves bread, hates yogurt, but likes yogurt drinks. I've been trying to get him to eat cheese but some days he'll have a few bites, some days not at all. Sigh.....will keep trying to expand his repertoire so that when I go away in 2 months I have more choices for him to eat. If all else fails, there is always milk, bananas and bread. Thanks all for your suggestions!!

 

[carang]

good luck... you can also try buying frozen mixed veg... put them into a little bowl, put some water on top and a very little boiled water, just to defrost them and warm them slightly. then discard the water and give the veg to the child... i used to do that for a snack when they were that age and it's great for them to practice using their fingers but also healthy!

i'm guessing he revolted from the congee because he needs more variety and different textures... problem is now, that he's not used to having the different textures and tastes so he's not really sure what to do.

try a little chicken breast with rice, an egg and choi sum (chopped really finely)...

spaghetti bol: make the sauce with a can of tomatoes, chopped, a little onion, (my son LOVES mushrooms, my daughter HATES them), with some cheese mixed in...

mac & cheese with pureed sweet potatoes or cauliflower or carrot mixed in...

mild curry with chicken and eggplant (SEE THE RECIPE ON HERE)...(both of my kids love it)

pancakes (for extra goodness, put in some fresh blueberries~ if he doesn't like them whole, then puree them....pancakes come out blue! for pink pancakes, buy some beetroot and puree that and add it in!) with a small sausage cut up on the side...

sandwiches:
peanut butter
cucumber
cheese
ham (my kids LOVE ham & cheese)

if you are feeling adventurous, then buy some cookie cutters and cut the sandwiches into cool shapes (can be done with pancakes, too!)

dumplings...(both of my kids love them!)

roast chicken, stuffing, gravy, creamed corn, mash (one meal my picky eater NEVER fusses at!)

 

[louisouis]

You can those toddler packs on websites llike re-on, or sogo and there are some shops that specialise in imported japanese baby supplies, they usually have a wide variety. Kids are kids, they are unpredictable when they are exposed to new time zones, temperatures and schedules. I would have been happy if he had eaten some potato chips! Just some food but he was ok on certain days and on food strike on others... But the only person whoe were stressed by this was ME! My son was happily running around and having a good time... So no worriies just enjoy your trip!

 

[siugoomama]

there are great rice toppings sold at Japanese Style super markets like Jusco, Apita or City-super. When i was traveling with my son who just turned 1, we can just order plain rice and use the toppings on top, he loves it!! should definitely check them out! For breakfast, he just ate organic Oats, from most supermarkets, easy to make with milk, and like everyone else, i bought plenty of Travel Sachets of Formular, although i have already start him on fresh milk, i like to have a mix.

What about on the plane? did anyone's child find it uncomfortable? and constantly crying? I have a Nap-roll to take for my son, he loves sleeping in it, and that makes those long plane rides better