Thermos for sending milk in a lunch box?

[Anonymous]

DD is in pre-K and brings her lunch to school for the first time since she was about one. I'd like to send milk for her to drink, as they offer juice (more sugar than I'd like) and water only.

I'd prefer not to buy the single serve milk boxes (expensive and a lot of packaging waste, no way for her to drink just some). I'm looking for something with these qualities:
* doesn't leak when closed by a competent 4 yr old
* is easy enough to clean that it won't be breeding nasty germs or smells within a month (I'm a pretty conscientious dishwasher, my DH is a little more lax yet does more of the dishes--go figure)
* will fit in the lunch box (standard one from Lands' End), probably alongside the square Rubbermaid sandwich dish
* prefer insulated, or else can be tossed in the freezer the night before
* is BPA free

So far I'm looking at the Thermos Foogo Straw bottle, the Contigo Kids Autoseal, Rubbermaid Litterless Juice Box, Camelbak Kids Stainless Bottle, and the Nalgene Tritan Grip-n-Gulp (is this one too babyish?). When I was a kid, the Thermos that came with my lunchboxes all had the cup that was also a second lid. Much easier to clean, but I can't find anything like it.

Anyone have experiences with these or other options they could share? I don't really want to clutter up my already crowded kitchen with something that we end up not using, not to mention spending money on something that doesn't fit the bill.

Many thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

I use the Rubbermaid Littlerless juice boxes for my kids, one in third grade and the other in preschool.

[Anonymous]

I don't like the litterless juice boxes because the straws, while replaceable, cannot be found in stores, but must be special ordered.

I bought the Thermos Frogo for my daughter this year, and love it. It fits in her lunchbox with her Thermos for her hot lunch.

[Anonymous]

We have used the Rubbermaid Litterless juice boxes for years. They are dishwasher-safe and BPA-free, and they meet all of your other requirements. You can get them at the Container Store in Tenleytown for about $4 apiece.

On the straws: don't use them. Your child can drink through the purple spout by tilting the cup upward. No need to ever use the straw, let alone clean/replace it!

My kids use the small Thermos Foogo thermoses for hot foods. They work wonderfully if preheated first with boiling water.

[Anonymous]

We use the Foogo straw bottle. It's easy to use, but if you drop it on something hard, like a tile floor, the lid can break.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

Thanks for taking the time to voice your opinion!

[Anonymous]

Are the thermos foogo straw cups more leak proof than the thermos funtainer straw cups? We have one of the funtainer ones and it does occasionally leak. It keeps DD's milk really cold though which is nice.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is only 3.5, but eating lunch at preschool, and it never even dawned on me to prepare a warm lunch from a thermos! Thank you!

But, now that I think of it, and it might be same with only cooling her lunch bag with a refreezable pack, is there ever concern for bacteria to grow in those thermos' when they've been at that temperature for 3 hours? For instance, I always put dinner leftovers in the fridge right away and don't let them sit out as bacteris can develop after 2 hours. Thoughts?

Also - Any suggestions on what warm meals you are providing? Pastas, soups, etc? I am excited to try this out!

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are the thermos foogo straw cups more leak proof than the thermos funtainer straw cups? We have one of the funtainer ones and it does occasionally leak. It keeps DD's milk really cold though which is nice.

I've had a Foogo straw cup for about a year, and it's never leaked. We don't use it daily, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is only 3.5, but eating lunch at preschool, and it never even dawned on me to prepare a warm lunch from a thermos! Thank you!

But, now that I think of it, and it might be same with only cooling her lunch bag with a refreezable pack, is there ever concern for bacteria to grow in those thermos' when they've been at that temperature for 3 hours? For instance, I always put dinner leftovers in the fridge right away and don't let them sit out as bacteris can develop after 2 hours. Thoughts?

Also - Any suggestions on what warm meals you are providing? Pastas, soups, etc? I am excited to try this out!

Thanks!

The various brands will rate how long they keep food cold or warm. Foogo supposedly keeps milk cold up to 8 hours. We've used it, left in a hot car for several hours, and it's still has cold milk in it. Never pushed it the whole 8 like that in super-warm conditions, though.

I don't usually send warm foods with my son. They reheat his stuff in the microwave for him. But if you buy a good quality thermos, I'm sure it will work the 5 or so hours until lunch time.