Bali/Asia with baby, shall I take formula or find it there?

[mamatothreebunnies]

We’re going on a 2 week trip to Singapore, Bali and Malaysia with 11 month old. He’s formula fed and I’m struggling to decide if I should take ready made formula or powder (worried about the water there, can you use bottled water for milk prep?). Or should I switch him to cows milk early and just take long life milk from here? Or buy there?

and then there’s the whole washing and sterilising of the bottles. Can I use tap water to wash the bottles? I read somewhere that it’s cleaner to use bottled water to wash the bottles.

any advice appreciated.

Didn't travel to Asia but to North Africa with 4 month old.

Had concerns about formula and water etc so took ready made cartons of aptamil that could be stored in the fridge when opened and lots of small cartons for travelling that could be thrown away when finished. My DC was very windy and often constipated and was already taking ready made liquid formula so I didn't want to change to powder all of a sudden.

Made a portable steriliser from a square lock n lock box that 2 bottles fitted in to at a time. Filled with tap water with either a quarter of a large milton tab or one mini tab and changed it every day.

Glad I did this as I where we were staying only had powered local formula which is dissolved in cold water.

For sips of water in the heat we boiled and cooled tap water and stored it in a sterilised bottle in the fridge as above method. Health visitor told us not to give bottled water as a lot of it is too salty. She did recommend brands and checking but I didn't want to spent the holiday reading the sodium content of bottles water!!

Baby was fine but I was the one who got the trots the night before we left from an undercooked piece of meat ...immodium to the rescue!

Another lifesaver was a pram mosquito net that fitted over buggy, carseat and travel cot

Lived in africa with a formula fed baby from 3 months.

The ready made bottles are handy when out and about but in terms of bag weight take up lots of weight. If you have a travel system try to get a buggy bag and fill around the wheels and seat with the bottles. The weight limit isn't considered as a bag. Took the carry cot as a bed.

I took powder with me but was able to get aptamil. Not always though so mum would post some to me!

In terms of water use mineral but check the sodium content of it. Can't remember the exact level a quick google will do 😉

Said baby is now 10!

Have a great time.

Mosquito net for the carry cot etc is a must and a little clip on fan (plus a spare)

We are in Bali at the moment. I would switch him to cows milk if you can, I haven’t seen any fresh milk here but you can get UHT. There is formula in the big supermarkets but I don’t know which brand (I can look for you if you like). Use bottled water only here, seriously do not forget that. I still have to remind DH every night when he brushes his teeth and we have been here so many times! The Balinese adore children, to be polite you ask people about their family and how many children they have. Depending on where you are staying though I would suggest a sling/carrier as the pavements can be difficult to navigate.

I meant to say if you are staying in a villa there will be a very handy water dispenser that gives you chilled, room temperature or boiling water from a big filtered water container depending on which button you press. I want one at home!

Please don't use bottled water. Still the plastic bottles are dreadful in countries which don't have recycling.
Just boil water. It will be safer - do you know where the bottled water came from?.