Travel Food and Snacks for Baby

Routine disruption is normal—and temporary. Babies often eat less or act fussier when their schedule is off. This is not a sign that something is wrong. 

Baby can eat what you're eating. A ripe banana from your bag, a strip of soft cheese from a charcuterie snack pack, or well-cooked pasta from your restaurant order are fantastic choices. 

Fresh food access can be limited. Most airports, rest stops, and hotel rooms are not set up for baby feeding. Bringing your own supply from home— especially shelf-stable staples—can take some of the pressure off.

The two-hour rule applies everywhere. Perishable food (including expressed breast milk, formula, opened pouches, cut-up vegetables, any food made with dairy, meat, eggs, or cooked grains) should not sit out for more than two hours without a cold source. This is especially important in warm weather or when you're in transit.

Don’t forget your feeding gear. It’s not just the meals that you need to plan. You also need ice packs, serving utensils, wipes, and more. Our baby travel essential packing lists can help. 

Thin rice cakes. Dissolve well, great canvas for mashes/spreads, easy to hold

Nut butter squeeze packs. Easy to spread on a thin rice cake or offer on a spoon

Instant oatmeal packets. Just add hot water from a coffee shop or a flight attendant

Cheerios and puffs. Low mess and perfect for pincer grasp practice

Pancake, waffle, muffin. Batch-bake before your trip and pack in an airtight container

Energy balls. Deeply nutritious, flavorful, and shareable

Pouches. Convenient, no refrigeration needed until opened, and ready for carry-on *

Applesauce Cups. Easy to pack, fantastic for preloading on a spoon 

Bagel or English Muffin. Toast in advance and add your favorite spread

Canned beans. High in fiber and protein and perfect for pincer grasp practice

Cheese. Semi-firm cheeses like cheddar, swiss, monterey jack, and paneer are less likely to make a mess than soft cheese like brie, goat cheese, or ricotta

Cottage Cheese or Hummus Cups. Perfect for sharing and dipping finger food

Egg Cups or Strips. Low mess, nutritious, and perfect for sharing

Firm or Extra-Firm Tofu. Protein-rich food that can be eaten raw or cooked

Fruit. Choose fruits that are easy to pack, quick to prepare, and less likely to smush and stick. Our favorites: banana, blueberries, orange, sliced apple or pear

Meatballs. Easy to dip in an applesauce or yogurt cup 

Pasta. Plain pasta minimizes the mess but you can dress up with oil or sauce 

Vegetables. Go for sturdier vegetables that are less likely to smush and stick, like bell pepper, broccoli, celery, cucumber, or green bean

Yogurt Cups. A great source of protein and calcium and easy to share

Round, firm foods. Grapes, cherry tomatoes, string cheese, and whole nuts are choking hazards. If you want to serve them, cut them for baby’s age and stage of development. 

Honey. The risk of infant botulism for babies under 12 months of age does not go away during travel. This includes honey in baked goods, sauces, and granola bars.

Shellfish. While you may choose to introduce shellfish to your baby at home, it’s important to be aware that if you are traveling in a region where shellfish safety standards are less predictable, it's wise to skip it—both for baby and for yourself.

Raw or rare animal proteins. There is no age at which eating raw fish or rare meat is without risk. Best to wait until you are home and make the decision on whether or when to serve in the context of your child.

Sprouts. They’re associated with an increased risk of foodborne illness. If you want to serve them, make sure they are cooked, not raw. 

Unpasteurized (raw) dairy. The immune systems in babies and toddlers are still developing, and they can be especially susceptible to foodborne illness in raw milk or raw cheese.