tips for going for day trips etc with a neocate fed baby

[tiredfeet]

Ds is 8 months and has been largely weaned onto neocate as I returned to work part time a few weeks ago, before that he wa breastfed. I am struggling with day trips out as it seems such a pain to take a whole big tub of neocate and make bottles up, especially as I don't drive so it all has to fit on the puschair, and I need to take his big pot of epaderm for his eczema too. And because he's got multiple allergies I prefer to take any meals for him too. I just don't want to feel like I have to stay near to home always, but I am so laden with bag!

I take bottles with measured (boiled) water, and one of those divided pots with measured out scoops. Mix when needed for a feed. Time your feed when you're somewhere that can warm the bottle if that what LO wants. You can get little flasks to put hot water in to warm bottles where ever you are, but that's even more weight for a buggy.
The little plastic tubs (ikea do a box with loads in for a few quid) will be your best friend for carrying munchies, fruit etc for LO to eat.

You might find it easier to get a rucksack to put stuff in; that's what I've got now (for toddler & baby stuff, both with allergies).

You will become proficient at work out what you need and get back out there with your LO.
What allergies are you dealing with, we might be able to help with recipes too, having good safe munchies to hand at all times for all occasions is important to both of you!

DS can't have dairy and is on nutramigen + carobel + gaviscon. We use these to make up the powders in advance, then take his bottle with water in. We use plastic boxes to put his food in and even if we go to a restaurant, we feed him his own food. It works fine.

Why treat Neocate any differently to any other formula? Buy a formula dispenser and a little flask so you can take out heated homemade food and there is no reason why you can't do what anyone else does! I expect you are used to making a lot of home made for your little one so just freeze it in batches and reheat and flask it up and serve on the move and make up milk like any other formula and a formula dispenser will avoid having to take the whole tin out. We have done this for years, and it hasn;'t stopped us going anywhere we want to

Also, remember that it won't be long before ds gets much less dependent on milk and much more on food, so you'll be able to give him more when you are at home and worry less when out and about (though obviously thats not much help now!)

I feel for you as ds was diagnosed with milk, eggs, soya, nut and fish allergies at 3mo, and we later found he's also allergic to kiwi! At first it is a nightmare taking them out but you get really good at learning which places will have food they can eat and losing any inhibitions about asking what is in certain dishes. You also get really good at speed reading labels on things (and learn how different shop-bought food is to home-made stuff!). Nowadays all I tend to take out with us is something for dessert if we are going to restaurants (as almost all their desserts have either dairy or egg in) or some safe chocolate or sweets if we are going out with friends who are likely to buy some for their dc

Thank you, didn't know about the forumla dispensers, will order one! Am sucha formula novice and still adjusting to being at work too, plus all ds's allergies, so its a lot to get my head round.

He's allergic to milk, soya, egg, peanuts, cod, and wheat. Plus since last tests we think he is also allergic to strawberries, kiwi and tomatoes... Seeing specialist again soon. Feel a bit daunted by it all!

tiredfeet, yes, it is daunting! It can be very frightening to have your baby diagnosed with multiple food allergies, but you do get used to it eventually, and dealing with their food issues becomes part of life. As okiecokie has said, feeding with Neocate is not so very different to 'standard' formula (but is still a HUGE hassle when you have been used to the simplicity of discreetly offering a breast whenever baby is hungry). The formula dispensers are a great idea.

As your DS gets older, carrying 'safe' but healthy food around with you might be a bit of a challenge. Stay with these mumsnet allergy boards - they are an invaluable source of information, including recipes.

I'm going to have to come too terms with the idea of lugging a big bag round really I think! Hadn't thought that even when his milk needs reduce that will mean needing to organise more snacks etc...

I'm going to have to come too terms with the idea of lugging a big bag round really I think! Hadn't thought that even when his milk needs reduce that will mean needing to organise more snacks etc...

What others have said about treating it like any other formula and getting a dispenser.

Also you can get much smaller tubs of epaderm, or just put some in a smaller tub, no need to lug the whole tub around.

When you have kids you just have to get used to having a bag full of spare clothes, snacks etc. With allergic kids there's also piriton, epipens, inhalers, spacers. You just get used to it.

Does neocate have to be made up hot like normal formula?

Small tub of epaderm sounds handy. Its the neocate and epaderm that felt like such bulk.

I can't remember what age they go on to Neocate Active but just to say that once they do it's much easier because it comes in handy ready to use sachets that you can just pop in you bag - no more measuring! We all know how hard it is getting used to the difficulties of having a little one with allergies. I'm very grateful my first child had no such problems as I found it hard enough to leave the house when she was a baby with just the 'normal' stuff! My son is allergic to milk, wheat, eggs and nuts and it is a steep learning curve but you'll soon find your own way of dealing with it and there's loads of help and advice on here. As the others have said, there's really no getting around the fact that you will need to carry around a lot more 'stuff' than other mums so treat yourself to a really nice Mummy bag with lots of pockets/compartments. Btw I always found the squeezy pouches of food (eg Ella's Kitchen) and fruit (eg Cow & Gate) really handy for when we were out & about as they don't take up much room and not too heavy.