Lanzarote with a 6 month old

[EffyxBlack]

Hey, I need some advise on going abroad with a 6 month old. From the airport, plane ride, doing bottles, cleaning bottles, taking baby food, literally everything! Over thinking the whole thing but it's better I've covered all bases than to get stuck :) any advise is much appreciated!

I'm currently in lanzarote and today passed a shop that you can hire baby accessories- I'm breastfeeding so I didn't need to be worried about bottles so can't help there. But maybe this shop has sterilisers etc (or can you pack Milton tablets?

Where abouts in lanzarote are you staying?

Pushchair (lightweight if poss) can be taken right up to the gate, snoozeshade was fantastic for daytime naps and keeping the sun off, for the flight i took empty bottles, pre measured formula in a formula pot, on the flight asked for an oz or 2 of boiling water, added the powder, mixed and topped up with cool bottled water bought in the airport (low sodium) or water i had got from the water fountain post security.
Sterilising i just rinsed the bottles out in the hotel bathroom sink, then filled it with boiling water from the kettle and left them for 10 mins then dried up and stored in a zip lock food bag.
Baby food i took pouches, loads in my suitcase, the ones in hand luggage in a clear food bag for going through security, they checked them in a machine but never opened any.
Not been to Lanzerote but from what i saw in Gran Canaria in Nov the supermarkets sell plenty of baby food pouches

Went to Lanzarote in October when DS2 was 5 months so we didn't have baby food but everything else.

Bottles - took pre made formula. Mainly the 1l bottles and you can put them in the fridge but also some small ready made bottles if we'd be out and about (once the other stuff is out of the fridge the usual 2 hour rule applies).

Steriliser - took our own Tommee tippee steam one in the suitcase so washed bottles in room then plugged steriliser in. On other holidays where I knew the hotel had a microwave for guest use I just took the microwave steriliser bags you can buy in boots. Most hotels seem to have this available.

Buggy - took a lightweight one and took it to the gate.

Car seat - booked a private transfer to and from airport and booked a baby seat and booster for DS1 so we didn't take our own.

Countryslices - thank you! We're staying in Costa Teguise! :)

needsleepzzz - brilliant thanks! Did you have to declare the baby pouches in your case?

AxCap - I was thinking about the pre made stuff, but I see they're kept on shelves in shops and can't understand how the 2 hour rule apply to them! :) is the buggy part of the weight allowance? Our holiday came with coach transfer so a little worried how to have her in the seat!

Not in the case no :-)
Pushchair and car seat should be part of your allowance when travelling with an infant as well as a carry on for them (changing bag)
We had a coach transfer last year when she was 2, she sat on our lap, people travelling with babies did the same as the coach was full so no room for a car seat

This mumsnet list was my bible for years.

www.mumsnet.com/pdf/beach-holiday-packing-list.pdf

Tap water is desalinated so perfectly drinkable but it can upset a delicate digestive system so maybe buy bottled water (with a pic of a baby on). Airport transfer to CT is pretty short. Public transport is great for getting out and about - buggy etc goes in the hold before you get on the bus. The sun is very powerful even on cloudy days (you're about 80mi from the coast of Africa). You can hire equipment here www.easyhire365.com (Kevin is brilliant - so kind and helpful). Have fun!

Staying in a hotel? Our hotel in Tenerife last year provided us with a steriliser. I took a box of formula/ 3 bottles/ a sponge and washing up liquid and cleaned the bottles in my bathroom at night.
Food wise- take some jars/ packets (you will be able to buy some there)- and finger food from your plate?

We took DD abroad at 6 months and honestly the thought of it was worse than the reality. Get a lightweight stroller and you can take that right to the aircraft door. You can usually take one other bulky item - either a car seat or your own travel cot. All you do with that is when you've queued at check in and got rid of your cases, they'll direct you to the oversized luggage desk where they'll take your car seat and put it on the plane.

Click and collect at boots airside is an absolute godsend when you're travelling with a baby. Put as many clean, sterilised bottles as you need for the flight in your hand luggage along with some little bottles of premade formula (the 100ml liquid limit doesn't apply to baby milk). Then order tubs of formula powder, jars and pouches to click and collect - you can just hang the carrier bags on the pushchair handles until you board. Lanzarote has a lot of supermarkets, you'll easily be able to top up these items when you get there.

When you arrive at your destination airport, you'll probably find your car seat and stroller come off on the oversized baggage carousel rather than the same one as your cases.

In your suitcase, take a cold water steriliser - fill it with clothing or toiletries so you're not losing space - and a packet of Milton tablets. Pack some washing up liquid and a bottle brush and you'll be able to clean and sterilise your bottles even if your accommodation is basic.

Presumably your accommodation will supply a travel cot, but I found it helpful to take DD's own sleeping bag for a bit of familiarity in a strange environment.

Take a tube of Dylon travel wash in case you need to clean up a poonami.

Thank you for all the replys this had been really helpful :D