WWYD - formula on holiday

[foreverondiet]

DS2 turns 1 year old on the day we go to America on holiday for 10 days. Can't decide what to do re: his milk. Am happy to give cows milk from age 1.

Its all a bit academic because he might not even drink cows milk, DD didn't and it took weeks of watering down.

Option 1: Take formula powder
Pros - cheaper and lighter than ready made. He definately likes it.
Cons - need to make up fresh in hotel room, so not possible on day trips. Unlikely to have access to freezer to freeze ice blocks so would either have to carry hot water or make it up with previously boiled cold water (I know there's a risk but I don't really mind this risk at 12 months) or take some cartons for day trips. Will have to check they have kettle in room etc.

Option 2: Take cartons
Pros - Easy of use. He likes the taste.
Cons - Very heavy in luggage

Option 3: Give him cows milk
Pros - will be easily available in hotel.
Cons - less nutritious (not sure about how well he'll be eating while we are away) and same problem for days out in terms of transporting it (he currently has 3 bottles, including one mid afternoon). All this assumes he'll drink it, will try the week before to see. Also maybe hard to get full fat milk rather than semi?

What to do?

Buy cartons in the states?
Take powder and a few cartons for day trips?

I'd buy cartons when in the US.

Get some there, and begin giving him cows milk sooner than a week before you go.

Am nervous about buying cartons in the US because we are going to a resort hotel and not sure what will be available in the local shops. I assume cartons are available there - was abroad this week (elsewhere) and no cartons only powder (and it said on instructions mix with cold water but thats another thread) - despite visitng several supermarket (since found out no cartons there). I had to buy powder and mixed with hot water.

CAn you buy cartons airside from boots (presuming airport has one) then it won't affect your weight limit?

Have a look here

Not used such a service personally but it might help.

Not worried about weight limit, as have 2 older DC so lots of weight allowance... and buying airside means having to carry them on the plane while managing 3 small children so worst of all possibilities. Would rather they were in proper suitcase checked in than in carrier bag I have to carry. Not even sure we'll get buggy back on landing so would be nightmare carrying DS2 plus sleepy older children and hand luggage and formula!

Checked out the link - v v expensive, and I wouldn't know what to order as am not familiar with US formula. And then risk he might not like it. Total cost of cartons from here for trip is only 56p x 30 so £15 (compared to $14 for just 4 ready to use cartons on that site!) and weight only 250g x 30 so 7.5kg out of total luggage allowance of 90kg.

DH thinks cows milk as cheaper and easier. I am worried DS2 will not eat much so at least formula provides nutrition.

I'd take a carton a day so then at leat if all else fails you know he will get one good milk/ vitamin boost a day and prob settle him at night.
We went abroad and I was ff ds (although much younger) and rang aptimek who told me not to buy abroad as all f differently produced in dif countries. Know nutritionally it's not so important at one but you may find he doesn't like the taste of it made somewhere else if you see what I mean.
Also I would start cows milk now if hol not too far away and see how he gets on.

Thanks alll.... will buy some full fat milk and see if he likes next week.

Still hovering between box of powder and some cartons for when out and about vs full fat milk and some cartons when out and about.