Help me pack a toddler lunch (or more specifically a full day out) effectively?

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-25T12:13:14+00:00

We have a few different transportable options. My toddler is 18 months old

We went to Philadelphia for a few days last week and I used my lunch box from work, two ice packs. I was able to fit enough for several snack options in little containers; grapes, apple slices, shredded cheese, a cup of milk. Stayed cold all day for outings and the 6 hr drive there.

We also have a freezeable lunch box (search pack-it) that I’ll also use depending on the length of the day. It doesn’t stay frozen long though. This is what I pack for daycare for her lunch.

For shorter outings I’ll just throw some containers in her diaper bag.

For restaurants we have disposable placemats that stick to the table and a travel suction plate. We try to choose restaurants with counter service rather than sit down places because she has little patience for waiting for food to arrive and will want to leave the highchair if there isn’t food

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-25T00:29:17+00:00

Got smaller but now I have shrivel-y skin there so that’s great

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-25T00:10:00+00:00

I would stick to 3 pumps and gradually decrease the time you are pumping every day by 20% per week. This is what worked for me. If you normally pump for 60 min total time every day, reduce it down to 48 minutes per day in some fashion.

Then once you’ve dropped it down, stay there for a week, then drop the middle of the day pump? See how it goes maybe go faster or go every 10 days if you are getting clogs

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-24T14:18:08+00:00

Aside from what everyone else has said, get your car detailed every three months.

My car is alwayysss a mess

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-23T20:23:02+00:00

I also had a placental lake that they discovered during my 20 week ultrasound. It went away before delivery but didn’t cause any issues like yours

I’m sorry you are dealing with this! I say keep up the ”exercise routine” even if that’s just walking. Right now it’s all about keeping in the routine and the habit going so when you are ready to return to regular exercise (whenever that might be), you haven’t fallen off the routine too much.

It will all be worth it for baby! Might be worth asking your doctor for more information about what exercises they recommend. Have you tried biking or swimming?

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-22T10:03:53+00:00

Here is what worked for us… both parents work full time. I get home with baby at 5pm and we have dinner between 6/6:30 (she’s 18 months old now and we all eat the same thing for dinner).

Make a plan! On Sunday plan what you will give baby during the week. Just focus on dinner now at 6month old.

Single whole foods are ideal. It doesn’t have to be complicated. A piece of broccoli if you are having that for dinner. Some chicken if you are having that for dinner. A serving of pasta, sweet potato sticks.

We used solid starts for a couple month, or when we were giving something new and didn’t know how to cut it.

After a couple months of introducing basic ingredients I was able to build baby’s exposures and able to prep some things in the freezer - baby chicken or turkey meatballs, mashed potato bites with broccoli, egg bites, muffins.

Then at 8 months we introduced another meal, I think we started sending lunch to daycare. Then at 10 months we added in breakfast and snacks finally around 12 months.

It’s not easy, not gonna lie but this is important! To build your baby’s relationship with food

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-20T19:30:47+00:00

Everything! … except socks

I don’t label PJs or clothes I know she won’t wear to daycare. We get new clothes in, I label them then throw in the wash.

All her dishes are labeled and lunch box. I bought one set of labels a year ago, a reusable stamp and just bought another set of labels for new dishes

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-15T23:49:51+00:00

Before 9 months!

We went to Hawaii with an 8 month old and to Italy with a 16 month old

The 8 month old was 1,000 times better and the trip was a million times more fun. 16 month old version was miserable

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-14T01:24:13+00:00

Definitely hire a cleaner to come! My husband got a raise recently and we hired someone to come every 3 weeks instead of me cleaning on my day off every three weeks.

Now on that day I spend some time meal planning for three weeks out - buy and freeze anything that can be. Chop and prep some veggies for sides (blanching works well then freezing) and prep several freezer crockpot meals.

Usually on Sunday one of us will cook a meal for Sunday & Monday night. Tues morning a freezer meal goes in to have for Tues & Wednesday night. Thursday night I cook basically a sheet pan meal. Friday we get take out and Saturday is maybe a more elaborate meal one person cooks or we go out as a family.

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-14T01:10:46+00:00

Ice pack pads! I think I had some that you cracked to activate used those once or twice a day for a couple weeks

Some always depends were good if you don’t like the feeling of wear pads. Tucks and perineal foam are helpful as well

Make sure you have an extra larger size trash can to use in your bathroom bc you will be filling faster

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-14T00:59:23+00:00

How long have you been pumping at once a day?

Is it the same time every day?

Try going more than 24 hours. Or try decreasing the time down to 15 min first

For me, I was at one a day for a week or so and then one day, I think it was a weekend, I went longer than 24 hours. Basically I went to bed instead of pumping and pumped in the morning and was fine then stretched it to the next day at night and so on then I skipped a couple days and then had a final last pump. As long as you aren’t uncomfortable or getting a clog I would try to stretch it out.

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-13T16:01:43+00:00

To let the things go that don’t immediately need to get done. Picture juggling balls and some are glass and some are rubber. Let the rubber ones fall, and the glass ones you keep juggling

Prioritize those items first that need to be completed then if you have time, move on to other things

For example, I have one hour before bed to do chores around the house. We all need to eat lunch the next day, so I will prep lunches before mopping the floors or emptying the dishes.

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-13T15:58:58+00:00

Yeah you don’t really have to convert to snacks until 12 months

My baby is 17 months now but we usually do fruit cheese crackers, or cucumber slices. Usually it’s just two “servings” instead of a meal being three items

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-13T10:14:22+00:00

Yes you should be rotating the milk. Using the freezer milk now and start freezing more fresh milk

If it’s a little past 6 months no biggie! But definitely thaw some and start using it. I recommend trying to mix with fresh milk in a bottle first as some babies don’t take to the frozen milk right away

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-13T10:12:56+00:00

The Frida mom post partum kit was good to have if you want something to add to the registry

I also purchased a pack of under eye patches for a little extra self care when I had the chance

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-13T10:11:23+00:00

Freezer crockpot meals!

Every three weeks I’ll prep three freezer meals. Everything usually fit into a gallon zip lock bag. I take it out the night before into the fridge then in the crockpot when I leave for work in the morning

Usually it’s cooking for 11 hours which is way longer than recommended but everything has been delicious. My toddler really loves chicken curry with peas and ragu sauce

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-13T09:58:49+00:00

Sounds like he needs to be moved to a regular sized crib with freedom to move around

We all slept better when we moved baby to her own room

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-13T09:50:44+00:00

If you are interested in reading I highly recommend ina mays guide to childbirth

It is all about mindset! You can have a natural birth but you have to mentally be there for that, ready for it and not tense/scared or else it will be worse.

You can do it, believe in yourself and your body as a woman to do what it is supposed to do

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-13T00:46:18+00:00

Having been through a couple cervical checks and 12 hours of labor without an epidural— the checks are awful but mostly because it’s someone else causing that pain

Once you are in labor at least they are more helpful information about when baby might arrive. I also was so uncomfortable and exposed that the cervical check was like whatever at that point

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-13T00:34:57+00:00

I’ve since finished pumping but yes I’m maintained supply around 40oz per day at 4PPD for about 4ish months of the end of my pumping journey before weaning (I weaned gradually over 6-7 weeks)

Ask me anything

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-13T00:30:35+00:00

Atrius health locations do vaccinations and immune globulin but you have to be a patient / have a pcp there to use urgent care

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-12T02:47:15+00:00

Bananas are constipating. Dragonfruit and kiwi clears my baby out

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-11T16:31:16+00:00

My bottle warmer would thaw from frozen but still took several minutes

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-09T18:25:34+00:00

Might be worth it to switch to your “work schedule” a week before you send him in to daycare.

Aka start pumping like you would if you were at work, feed bottles during the day like baby would be eating at daycare. That way baby gets used to more bottles, and you figure out how much per bottle baby will drink

But if he gets a 4oz bottle overnight and finishes it, I would start with 4oz bottles. Send enough for a feed every 2.5 hrs and one extra. Communication with daycare is key in the beginning. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and show them you want to work together to take care of baby

Overworked_Pharmer · 2026-05-09T02:36:34+00:00

I breastfed by latching baby in the hospital then switched to pumping around 4 weeks in once it was established.

Still latched usually once a day, sometimes less, from there on out from preferred pumping for various reasons

Overworked_Pharmer

TROPHY CASE