Over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house you go! Of course, it's exciting to take baby home to see family and friends, but the busiest travel time of year doesn't always make it easy to drive or fly with a little one. 

If you're planning a trip that includes air transportation, check the TSA's website for specific information regarding carry-on breast milk, formula and baby food.  

If you're traveling by car, you obviously have more flexibility to bring what you wish, specifically single servings of frozen baby food that you've already prepared. And, if you've been cooking with The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet, odds are you have quite a frozen stash of purées!

If you'll be on the road for a few hours, here's how to pack and travel with frozen purées: 

• Invest in a durable, well-made travel tote, cooler or insulated lunch bag plus a reusable ice pack. We like 12-volt portable soft-sided thermoelectric cooler that can be plugged into the cigarette lighter adaptor of your vehicle.  
• Immediately before leaving, take the amount of cubes you'll need while away, and place them in plastic freezer trays with covers. (If you've made your cubes in rectangular trays, put the cubes back into those trays; if you've made your cubes in round trays, put the cubes back into those trays. We like Beaba Multiportion Freezer Trays the best.)
• If you're packing more than one type of purée, keep the varieties separate, and be sure to label what the cubes are.
• Place the covered trays in your tote, along with the ice packs.
• The frozen cubes will slowly defrost as you make your way towards your destination, but can they can stay cold in an insulated bag with an ice pack for eight to 12 hours.
• Once you've arrived, you can place the cubes in the refrigerator or put them back in the freezer, depending on when you'll be using them.
• If you need to defrost a meal while you're traveling, stop at a convenience store or rest stop that has a microwave. (Airline attendants may also cooperate and defrost purée for you. Just ask.) 

Keep in mind, frozen food cubes take three to four hours to thaw in the refrigerator or, you can microwave them for 30 to 40 seconds to defrost for a quick meal. If already thawed, microwave five to 15 seconds to warm. Always test the temperature of the food when microwaving before serving to baby.

Using this little trick, you'll avoid having to purchase jarred food, and you won't have to worry about whipping up a meal while you're away from home. Happy trails!