buying formula abroad...HELP!

[2ManySweets]

Hello: we are away to Holland/Belgium in a few days and I can't for the life of me find if they do ready made liquid Aptamil #1 in the shops over there.

Powder is available but not the ready made stuff...

Anyone got any insider knowledge?? I've looked on the Jumbo and Aldi sites to no avail...

TIA x

[HildurOdegard]

No they don't - it's only for newborns.

[tiktok]

Phone the aptamil consumer helpline - number should be on the pack :)

[2ManySweets]

Sorry; I should've mentioned my baby is 10 weeks old...and yes! Calling the number is a good idea tiktok

[2ManySweets]

Yeah; their claim of "I don't know" didn't help too much...

[tiktok]

That's shocking! They could have offered to find out.

[HildurOdegard]

How long are you going for?

Afaik in Belgium you need a prescription to get formula from a chemist (pro-breastfeeding dictate) .

In NL, Jumbo has a very limited selection and Aldi don't sell it. Your best bet will be Albert Heijn ("posher" supermarket) and Etos (which is a subsidiary of Boots).

The only brand which exists obviously in both UK and NL is Hupp (?) Organic.

Ready-made milk not widely available, available only by ordering directly from the milk company by phone and only for new newborns.

[HildurOdegard]

How long are you going for?

Afaik in Belgium you need a prescription to get formula from a chemist (pro-breastfeeding dictate) .

In NL, Jumbo has a very limited selection and Aldi don't sell it. Your best bet will be Albert Heijn ("posher" supermarket) and Etos (which is a subsidiary of Boots).

The only brand which exists obviously in both UK and NL is Hupp (?) Organic.

Ready-made milk not widely available, available only by ordering directly from the milk company by phone and only for new newborns.

[Junosmum]

Jeez, and I thought we were bad with regards to formula!

[tiktok]

Hildur....I think you have this wrong. I have checked online, on Belgian websites (the French-speaking ones, not the Flemish ones) and there is no mention of it being prescription only. The big brands are on sale in supermarkets and groceries, so this would indicate no need for a prescription.

[2ManySweets]

Hildur thank you: HIPP is actually what I use in the UK; I just assumed it wasn't available outside the UK! So thanks!

If Belgium really has that hardcore a bf stance then I'm glad I don't live in Belgium...crikey

[tiktok]

It really doesn't....I don't think there is anywhere in the world that requires a doctor's prescription for formula. Please don't lets start a great big myth about this :)

[dannydyerismydad]

Nutrilon is the brand name for Aptimil in the Benelux. You can get ready made small cartons, but not the bigger packs.

HIPP is also available over there, but I can't find ready made versions on online stores over there.

[2ManySweets]

You can get ready made small cartons of Nutrilon abroad?

GET IN!

[dannydyerismydad]

Ach, no. Sorry. My Dutch is rusty. I thought they were cartons of ready mixed. They are actually sachets of pre-measured powder! Madness.

You are best off ordering cartons from Boots in the UK. They can have them waiting for you to collect airside at the airport to take with you.