Bugging out with babies.

[whisk.e.rebellion]

The one thing I might suggest is keeping some of these handy in case you don't have the time or water needed to mix formula.

While better than nothing, I've found the premixed formula to be very foul smelling. My kids' bowel movements after drinking the premixed formula were also rather foul. I much prefer to carry around a bottle of water and the single serve packets

If I recall correctly, the premixed stuff is also much more expensive than the single serve packets.

[pyratemime]

The one thing I might suggest is keeping some of these handy in case you don't have the time or water needed to mix formula.

While better than nothing, I've found the premixed formula to be very foul smelling. My kids' bowel movements after drinking the premixed formula were also rather foul. I much prefer to carry around a bottle of water and the single serve packets

If I recall correctly, the premixed stuff is also much more expensive than the single serve packets.

It is expensive at about $1/bottle. I really haven't noticed much in the way of smell from the formula or her bowel movements (beyond the normal fecal smells) but it has been supplemental to breast milk and not as an exclusive feeding source. My thinking for the use of these bottles is more as a way to keep food available for the baby if your water source has been compromised either in quality or quantity.

[Sinzitu]

Our kids are no longer babies but we travelled a lot when they were each infants/toddlers. We always had a baby carrier as well as a backpack/diaper bag combo. We used a carrier similar to a Baby Bjorn(sp) and eventaully used a bigger pack pack carrier w/ storage and a sun shade. The larger one is very much like the one pictured in JT_of_JFF's post.

Even now that our kids are bigger we still use the backpack for carrying snacks, water, sunscreen, bug spray, extra clothes, raingear, small first aid kit, wipes, and other small essentials. I guess you would call it their GHB as we take it with us whenever we go out.

I too would recommend the powdered fomula mixes. Much easier for trekking around whether it was an urban adventure or wilderness camping/hiking.

[Thorgrimr]

I've got a 15 month old that I've been told by my wife I've spoiled..she will not eat baby food of any shape or form...she has all but two of her teeth and is getting the idea on how to use them so meat is her only real challenge and I either mince it with a knife or use a mortor and pestal(sp) and grind it a bit for her.

For transportation I made a cart (will get a picture up later) that I can pull behind me...the wheels are large enough it doesn't get hung up going cross country(I used mountain bike wheels). The way it is build it also allows for a back pack or two when someone get tired...When my wife was pregnant I put her in the cart and had my step-son (14 then) pull her around and he was able to with little effort...we plan on building two more before winter hits...

I'm Mr. Mom...and the wife is back in college. The 16 year old is only with us every other week (court ordered split visitation) but me and the 15 month old are outside or in the woods about every day...she hates shoes and being inside.

[TacAir]

"For transportation I made a cart (will get a picture up later) that I can pull behind me...the wheels are large enough it doesn't get hung up going cross country(I used mountain bike wheels). The way it is build it also allows for a back pack or two when someone get tired...When my wife was pregnant I put her in the cart and had my step-son (14 then) pull her around and he was able to with little effort...we plan on building two more before winter hits..."

I would love to see the cart. We have used a Burly bike tralier - good for stroller, OK x-country and has pleanty of room for the 'kids stuff' needed for kids. We modified the hitch to allow for pulling by adults. This will allow adults to carry their BOB / gear and any other stuff needed.

I disliked the 3rd wheel - this trailer is easier to pull than push.

Thanks in advance.

[TacAir]

The one thing I might suggest is keeping some of these handy in case you don't have the time or water needed to mix formula.

While better than nothing, I've found the premixed formula to be very foul smelling. My kids' bowel movements after drinking the premixed formula were also rather foul. I much prefer to carry around a bottle of water and the single serve packets

If I recall correctly, the premixed stuff is also much more expensive than the single serve packets.

IF your child is up for more solid food, may I suggest carrying a "garlic press"
We have one in SS and it will (I believe the term is) "squoosh" most adult food into baby friendly rations.
We used it while eating out, so the kids were used to eating from our plates, so to speak. The presses run under
20 USD and the SS clean up quickly - use some of the hot water from your coffee boil, eh?

Can be a life saver if out with the kids and you are stuck - and not near any food outlets.

[Defeater]

The one thing I might suggest is keeping some of these handy in case you don't have the time or water needed to mix formula.

While better than nothing, I've found the premixed formula to be very foul smelling. My kids' bowel movements after drinking the premixed formula were also rather foul. I much prefer to carry around a bottle of water and the single serve packets

If I recall correctly, the premixed stuff is also much more expensive than the single serve packets.

IF your child is up for more solid food, may I suggest carrying a "garlic press"
We have one in SS and it will (I believe the term is) "squoosh" most adult food into baby friendly rations.
We used it while eating out, so the kids were used to eating from our plates, so to speak. The presses run under
20 USD and the SS clean up quickly - use some of the hot water from your coffee boil, eh?

Can be a life saver if out with the kids and you are stuck - and not near any food outlets.

Wow! This is a great tip; I will be looking for one at the kitchen specialty store soon. Could be good if something you find to eat when bugging out is tough or gamey or just not quite ripe.

[eugene]

With a baby you already have a bob, the diaper bag. When we left the hospital both times they gave us a free diaper bag as well so I stock those and left one in each vehicle. I still have those, my oldest is almost 5, I have a change of clothes for him in there
when my daughter was about 6 months old she didn't want to breastfeed anymore so we had to buy formula. The least stinky (going in and coming out) formula we found was Kroger Private Selection Organic, the similac and such are just nasty and tended to cause a lot more spitting up. We went away for a weekend and forgot her formula and had to use the sample can from the free diaper bag (bob) the hospital gave us and it was just nasty. I didn't want to be without a backup so i did a search and the only store around was a walmart and they charged twice what decent stores do, so keep that in mind when traveling to remote place to get some outdoor time, in more rural areas walmart has run the other stores out of business and is really price gouging.

[KnightoftheRoc]

......
For formula, I buy by the case from Sam's Club well in advance. We breastfeed until six month then switch to formula. Once you know you need it stock up. It will age on the shelf just fine and you will use it sooner or later. Even if you breastfeed, its worthwile to have in an emergency since something tragic could happy and daddy's breasts don't work the same. Formula one shots are awesome, but can be expensive. We save them for trips and emergencies.
My fiance and I bought a box of those one shots for when we need formula for the grand daughter (4months), and yes, they ARE pricey, but for a shelf life AND concenience, I thought they were a pretty cool idea. Now, when you say you buy by the case, are you getting the powder, or the ready-to-go liquid? I haven't had to even think about this stuff in 20 years, and the options have changed since then- the one-shots as an example. I'm curious as to which form of formula would have the better shelf life, and by how much, over the other. Powder has the advantage of MANY servings, for the space, and is pretty light (so my shelves won't sag, lol), but tends to come in containers I would not think I could trust for any truly long term storage needs (cardboard tube, metal bottom/top- not exactly oxygen proof). The liquid comes in containers that would be better for oxygen barriers, but the weight and space required shoots up dramatically.

For heating bottles I go one better than hand warmers. I keep MRE heater bags handy. PLEASE EXPERIEMENT and add a limited amount of water per bottle. If you add water as directed for a foil encases meal IT WILL BURN YOUR CHILD.
AWESOME IDEA, THANK YOU! (I can't beleive I didn't think of that one myself)
Look in your baby food section. A company has started putting out organic baby food in MRE style envelopes. Very convenient and easy to pack and reheat. Use the same MRE heaters as above.

BEST possible bug out food for children and infants is Cherrios. They keep forever, pack into anything and are eaten by hand/mouthful by every child I know.

[ZombieGranny]

Formula cans are a little smaller than #10s.
Could you pop one inside a #10 can with an oxy-absorber or two, and seal?

[SeerSavant]

Formula cans are a little smaller than #10s.
Could you pop one inside a #10 can with an oxy-absorber or two, and seal?

Some cans can last up to two years, depending on brand, with the grandson, we found a distinct preference for powdered formula. In concept you could seal small (one to two day amounts) packets with those sealers. rotate them in and out of BOBs.

After all it only has to last a year or two before you can switch to solid foods.

I'm no expert, but I don't think sealing a can inside of another can would do much in longevity...






this has a good reference on multiple pantry items.

http://www.demesne.info/Home-Maintenance/Pantry.htm

[keeper]

Here's another thought on easily portable snack foods. We found that freeze dried peas make a great alternative to Cheerios.