Travelling abroad with formula

[fartandsnappp]

We are due to go on holiday for a week when our baby will be 6 (nearly 7) months old.
He is formula fed and we only use the pre-made ready to drink cartons for all of his feeds.
Has anyone taken loads of the ready to drink cartons away with them? Did you put them in the hold? I think we would need to take about 70 of the 200ml cartons!
Panicking a bit about how it is all going to work and thinking about moving the holiday to when he is a bit older.
Any advice would be much appreciated

Yes we did, we took a whole suitcase with the milk and snacks and nappies etc. Take enough in hand luggaage for airport and plane

Why don’t you switch to powder now and see how you get on? Why are you using premade?

Has anyone taken loads of the ready to drink cartons away with them? Yes
Did you put them in the hold? Yes, only a reasonable amount for the journey is allowed in hand luggage
I think we would need to take about 70 of the 200ml cartons! For a week? 10 7oz feeds a day? My 2 used to have 4 a day plus lunch at that age. I’d always take a few extra in case of delays but I think I took 35 cartons for a week when travelling with my then 6MO this summer.

Oh and when packing split it across 2 separate suitcases. That way if one goes missing then you’ve still got half your stash whilst you wait for the other case to make an appearance.

We used to order it to boots airside - but I’m not sure you’d be allowed to take 70 bottles on the plane. That’s an insane amount for a 6 month old - most would be on 3 or 4 milk feeds in 24 hours by then.

@RandomQuest
going by the guidelines on the amounts, we would need 48 bottles for 8 days. He always has a little more than the guidelines anyway. I wanted to take some extra incase there were any delays or if any got damaged in the suitcase. Plus if you can't put the bottles in the fridge they only last for 2 hours so we may have to open more than the 48 if that makes sense.

I’d use powdered milk instead tbh.

I’d review how much you actually need closer at the time. Depending on how well he is taking up solid, he might well not drink as much milk. He might also need sources of solid food instead.

I’d investigate what you can find baby food wise where you will be. Assuming you are going to the back of beyond, you will be able to find formula and baby food there.

Disclaimer: if your baby has any allergy/need a special milk etc… that a whole kettle of fish (and not easy at all to handle tbh)

Is there a reason you don't use powder? That's a hell of a lot of plastic for a week away, let alone the hundreds or thousands of bottles you will have used in the previous six months

Urgh and now I remember why I stopped using mumsnet. Thanks to those who were nice and responded with helpful advice.

Order at boots and collect once through security.
Doesn't count as hand luggage and will save safe in your suitcases.
70 is a lot, I would be inclined to do formula. Cheaper and easier.

Space

When do you travel and how old is baby now?
Mine didn’t increase their milk beyond 5 months old as the extra calories needed started coming from food instead. The guidelines (according to DS’s Hipp Organic) are x4 7oz bottles a day for a 6 month old. Even allowing for a really generous 6 in case a full feed isn’t drunk and there’s wastage plus 9 days in case of delays, that gets me to 54 bottles. Surely you don’t need 70?? But as for logistics, get 2 big suitcases so there’s space and split the bottles 50:50 between them. I like the convenience of pour and feed on holiday so I wouldn’t take powder either.

What country are you going to? It might be the brand you use is sold there so you can buy some locally. But I think it’ll be easier to see if he’ll take the powder before you go as that’ll be much easier for you.

Ok I will take 54 instead. I was just wondering if anyone had taken a large amount in the hold and if it was allowed. Seems other posters have done it. Thank you

Contact your airline for reassurance.
I had 2 massive Boots bags full of baby stuff and wasn't questioned getting on the plane.

Some hotels are great about accepting deliveries ahead of your stay. Depending on country and situation, it might make sense to order a case sent directly to the destination. I wouldn’t count on that entirely, but that plus an amount in checked luggage would provide a nice buffer.

70 × 200ml cartons will weight at least 15kg. The milk itself will be nearly 14.5kg and then there's all the packaging. So that's a whole extra suitcase worth of weight on most airlines. Presumably you're going to have a fair bit of luggage and probably a pushchair already - sounds a bit of a nightmare to me to be honest.
It might be worth checking if there's any limit on the amount you're allowed in the hold or whether it's just a matter of paying for it. I always travel pretty light so I'm not sure how it works.

Can you purchase that brand in the resort you are visiting? Could you send an Amazon (or similar) delivery to the hotel? Would be a lot easier than that quantity of cartons plus removes the risk of cases going astray. It might be an idea to have a plan b in case there's an issue eg delayed luggage even if you opt to take formula. Ordering from boots airside for carry on (eg 48 hours worth) is a good idea