Baby food on the go???

[charliebear2013]

Hi Everyone,

I am just sounding out what everyone thinks about feeding your baby or toddler when out and about, for example shopping in the city centre? I personally find it really hard firstly to find anywhere to heat up the food that I have pre made and frozen and secondly anywhere that sells anything healthy and suitable for my 11 month old. I also find that if I do eat out whilst at the shopping centre my baby wants to be down on the floor crawling which is generally not possible. In the end it seems like such a hassle that its easier to go home.

Its from this problem that I am considering setting up my own business. The business would selling freshly made organic baby/toddler food to parents on the go. The café would possibly have a soft little play area so the little ones are occupied and comfy seats where the adults can sit to eat/drink if desired. Is this something that you would use whilst you were out and about or would you prefer to take your own food along/buy the jars?

Your input would be really great as I am not sure whether to go ahead with the idea or not. Thank you for looking at my post.

Lindsey x

[UriGeller]

Sorry to be negative but I imagine people would want cheap food but top quality, somewhere quiet but lively, with kids welcome but god forbid the tables have crumbs on or the highchairs are sticky, loads of room for prams too which would mean a gigantic space.

I commend you for trying to fill a gap in the market but I usually just take a banana with me if my two get peckish and feed them anywhere.

[charliebear2013]

Don't be daft, any feedback is good and I want honest opinions so thank you. Loads of pram room is definitely a big plus isn't it! I just always struggle to find places to heat up the food I have pre made, even Tesco's café will only put things in hot water which doesn't really work. Do you mind me asking are your children babies or toddlers? Thanks again for your comments, much appreciated. Lindsey

[blondiedollface]

There is a place in Bristol called Bubbahub, google it! Sounds exactly like what you are trying to achieve! Xx

[charliebear2013]

That's great, I will check that out thank you. Do you live in Bristol? Is it a good place? xx

[Steffanoid]

there's a little cafe in our community church has simply got a playpen wall to wall with highchairs and Sofa's and they'll heat the food for you if you ask

[UriGeller]

I've a three year old and a one year old and a pram! The park suits us more, thats all. the toddler can run around screaming (and I can too!)

Good luck!

[charliebear2013]

The park sounds like a good idea. he he. thanks again. x

[charliebear2013]

Thank you Steffanoid, that sounds great. We have a few of those around here but I cant think of anywhere in our city centre. I'm just not sure how baby friendly city centres actually are or if its just my local city centre. he he.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

I just used to take a banana or two, maybe some bread and butter.

[charliebear2013]

Thank you. Do you think you might have purchased some fresh baby food should there be the option? x

[nailslikeknives]

At home, my 1yr and 3yr old always have home cooked food, but out and about, I go for something from the kids menu or an appropriate adult option eg toasted sandwich. This is at least once a week.

We eat in places like the slug & lettuce, costa, carluccios if we're in town.
I always put 1yr old in a high chair and 3 yr old in either a high chair or strap him into a normal chair with one of those soft straps from Jojo's, even if we're at a soft play centre.
I don't want them to run around during a meal because I want to enjoy my food too, everyone sat together for 3/4 hour or so.

I'm not sure if I would have bought home made baby food when out and about (when they were younger). I used to take an Ella's veg pouch and let them suck it straight out of the container, I'm v v classy I used to get them to try new flavours at home before taking them out. I'd have wanted to be sure they'd eat cafe baby food before I bought it.

If you go for this, I second that a good space for buggies reduces my stress level - so much that it's as important to me as the menu and would tempt me to go back to a place. Also, sod the kids, you need really really lovely coffee and cake

Hope that wasn't more detail than you really needed! Good luck with whatever route you choose.

[Artandco]

I've never had a problem tbh. Just took a banana/ wrap with cream cheese or similar if taking something. Otherwise I just took in any cafe/ restaurant and they ate what I ate. They are now 2 and 4. Breastfed if all else failed

[beckslovestimmy]

Maybe healthy home made food suitable for children (no added salt/sugar ect) but with the offer of blending it to a suitable consistency? If I was out I'd probably buy home cooked food if I new the texture would suit DD, she wasn't very good with lumps for a long time. Microwaves to heat up prepared food would be good too. Soft play area would be great, maybe with separate sections for little ones and slightly older/bigger toddlers.