A few questions (and tips appreciated!)! Going to Madeira - Formula, nappies, Jet2!

[Willsmum79]

1. We have a Mothercare Urban Detour Pinnacle stroller with infant car seat. Jet2 allow up to 10kg free for a pushchair and/or car seat. I think it's slightly over 10kg.

What is the likelihood of us being able to board without anyone checking the weight? Can we check the car seat in at check-in with our luggage? Will we still be able to take them even if we're willing to pay excess which is £12 per kilo?

1. What brand of formula and nappies are in Madeira? We use aptamil and pampers.

Any other tips for taking a 7-month-old on his first holiday?

Personally I would take a lightweight stroller, and the car seat if you will need it in a car. If you are checking it in with luggage, get a suitable bag for it, or I have seen carseats wrapped in bubble wrap and parcel tape!

In the Guardian money supplement on Saturday, Jet2 were second to Ryanair in the amount of extra charges over the initial flight price, so really I think you should clarify with Jet2 in case you get stung at the airport for excess weight charges more than you were expecting.

Sorry can't help with milk and nappies availability. I would take enough for 3-4 days with me at least. You can reserve powdered formula at Boots after check-in for collection, should help to save the weight in hand luggage which can be weighed as well as hold luggage sometimes. Make sure you have space for it in hand luggage before boarding. Take DS favourite cuddly or comforter and a few smallish toys, a change of clothes for when you arrive, bottle or dummy for take off and landing to help his ears to pop.

I took DS to Madeira last June when he was almost 9 months old. I only went for a week so I took extra nappies so didn't need to buy any. I did see Pampers in the shops (I think), but I suggest they are probably very expensive as they seem to be in every other European country! I would recommend taking enough formula to cover you for the length of your stay - I just took a big box and that was more than enough. I don't remember what brands they had there but I'm pretty sure they were different to all the ones here.

Holiday tips: keep him out of the sun as much as you can (if there is any - weather wasn't all that marvellous when we were there!) and make sure you use child/baby sunscreen and remember to reapply it, also a sun hat.

Madeirans seem to love babies - he aroused lots of interest when we were there.

Thanks,. The lightweight stroller is out! We need an all terrain buggy as we like to walk in the mountains.

I have holidayed in Madeira before (we have a timeshare at Porto Bay Residence on the Lido) but obviously we were just a couple on holidays before so we took no notice of baby stuff in the shops.

I have bought two tubs of formula and taking one pack of nappies. I know it is £12 per kilo over but we are willing to pay as we NEED that buggy.

We met a nice couple yesterday who have flown with Jet2 and they don't bat an eyelid! As for Boots, no Boots airside at Leeds/Bradford.

Thanks for your help.

we took ds to madeira when he was a little under a year. was lovely. we did lots of walks, but NONE where a buggy would have been helpful - the terrain was either far too rough even for an all-terrain, or it was along levadas, and I'd have been convinced we'd tip him over the edge. What about a sling/backpack? That's what we used, and it was great.

There were lots of brands of nappies - no problem there. Though I think we had to buy a gigantic pack and ended up taking lots home again. Can't help on formula, i'm afraid.

have a lovely time!

I love Madeira! We went there when DS was 6 months old and for walks I had to put him in a Patapum sling which was brill. I took a lightweight stroller for getting around Funchal which was fine.

All the formula was very expensive so i think your plan to take your own is best. You can get Aptimil - I am racking my brains to think what they call it there though. I remember the packaging was recognisable but it had a different name. Again nappies were expensive. I think they had the Dodot brand there which are made by Pampers.
We stayed at the Porto Santa Maria hotel before, I think part of the same group as your timeshare. Have a great time!

Ha ha - loopsngeorge! We were at Porto Santa Maria for our 2nd week last year when I was 21 weeks pregnant! It is now adults only (from November 2011).

We are taking the baby carrier as a matter of course as we are extremely familiar with the levada walks as we are keen walkers in the mountains of Madeira. We have just about exhausted all known walking tours with the various companies that offer them.

The all terrain buggy is needed for when we're out and about in the car as we've seen places that is buggy accessible but a all terrain one will be more comfortable for Will!

Thanks for the advice regarding milk and nappies. I am investing in a trunki for Will (only 7 months old when we go but will come in handy when he's toddling!) as we can pack more in it than a rucksack.

Ah, can't believe it's adults only, it was such a lovely hotel in a great location. DS went for his first ever swim in their indoor pool! Very jealous that you have a property in Madeira - if we ever bought somewhere abroad it would be definitely be somewhere we looked at. By the way, if the Eden Mar(?not quite sure of the name) is still part of the Porto Bay complex, they have a toddlers soft play room which might come in handy!

Thanks loopsngeorge. We actually have a timeshare at the residence (other end of the porto bay complex opposite the Melia Madeira). I was aware of some sort of room for children but seeing as we had no children last year (despite being pregnant) didn't want to raise eyebrows by checking it out!
Porto Santa Maria's indoor pool was being renovated when we went in August but luckily the last three days of our holiday it reopened which was just as well as the weather turned. In fact, always did during the last week in August hence why we opted for the week BEFORE our regular week 33 in our timeshare rather than the week after!