What do i do about steralising bottles whilst in cuba?

[babyperky]

I'm getting married in Cuba in April and my little boy will be 9 months old. We are staying at Sol Cayo Guillermo. I'm not worrying bout the wedding but I am really stressing over taking my baby:

1. How do I steralise bottles or do i take pre-packed use once bottles?
2. Do i take cartons or powdered milk?
3. Do i take jars as he is weaning at the moment?
4. Is the food safe?

Anyone ever taken a 9 month old abroad and know the answers? Would be very grateful if you could offer any advice or experience?
Thanks

When we went to Spain with our DS we took our steriliser with us but when we were on the road to and from our apartment (on ferry etc) we just used Milton sterilising tablets which you can pick up anywhere, you just put all your bottles once you've cleaned them in a sink/bucket of cold water and put one tablet in and leave it for 15 mins and they are then sterile for 24 hours.

We took cartons and powdered milk, we used the cartons like we do in the UK when we were out and about and powdered when at home. Either make sure you take enough powder or check if you can buy it out there, we bought powdered milk out there but the packaging was all different from how it is here.

I don't know about the food questions as my DS isn't old enough for weaning yet. Have a fantastic time!

Ah I honeymooned in Cuba - LOVED it!!!

milton good on the move but isn't the advice that you don't have to sterilise after 6 months

First of all, congrats!!

1. You can get cold water sterilising bags (from Boots/Tesco) would highly recommend these. Depends on how long you're going re: taking pre-pack use once bottles, IMO these are an expensive choice.
2. When we took DS to Rome for a long w/end, we had just started to wean him...I took cartons of milk as it was much easier (ie not having to think about boiling water)
3. Not sure about Cuba but as mentioned, we went to Rome and the Italians were v friendly and helpful re: plain pasta and lots of fruit/yoghurts so we took some jars just in case but most of the time, DS ate rather well!
4. No experience of Cuba but am sure there will be some good advice forthcoming from other MN's.

As I said, we took our 8mth old to Rome and he was fine....we were very lucky in that he loved the plane journey and the Italians are very family oriented so we had a blast as although Rome isn't very family friendly, the people were and were very accommodating.

Have heard good things about Cuba so hope you all have fun!

Is it an all inclusive resort or will you be eating at local restaurants?
Our food was fine. Really good in fact but didn't have any DCs at the time. There were 5 restaurants (in the hotel) - seafood, bar grill, italian, buffet and something else. The buffet and Italian would have been able to provide simple, plain baby friendly food I'm sure. Assuming most places are similar, you should be OK but bring some jars anyway.
Remember to disguise tipping in a handshake as they aren't allowed to accept them (communist)
Only prob I can think of is the possibility of smokiness (cigars)
Can you bring me back some Havana Club??

Thanks everyone, think I will take some of them tablets so don't have to worry about steraliser and as we are going for two weeks I would need a whole suitcase for his feeding bits!!! The hotel is all inclusive so guessing there will be something for him.

Do you know if it would be ok to boil their water and use to make up feeds?

Thanks for advice Sasamaxx about tipping, have been bit worried as have heard stories about people's belongings being taken by the staff!!! Any other advice would be great. What is Havana Club?

I've so many questions, looking forward to taking him on his first big adventure!

Thanks everyone feel much better now- any other advice on tavelling with my little boy would be more than welcome

RUM - yummy too.
You'll never buy Bacardi again (not actually cuban although it pretends to be)
I didn't worry about stuff getting nicked. I thought they were all so desperate to hang onto their jobs in the tourist industry that they wouldn't dare (tips make them the highest earners). They hire security nen to watch your stuff on the beach and everything. Where is your resort?

Or security men

When ever I've had to do sterilising on the move I pack a big tupperware type box with a lid and use milton tabs. Make up the solution and the bottles can stay in the box all day. Take a travel kettle and powder, washing up liquid and brush and you're there. Use disposable bottle and carton for the flight maybe. Buy bottled water in resort for formula.

Take some jars of basics, but basically feed him from the buffet etc, ask the hotel to make up pureed fruit for you that kind of thing I'm sure they would. Have a fab time.

We had our honeymoon in Cuba too. Can only agree with what sasamaxx said about your stuff. Don't think I've been anywhere else where people were so friendly and welcoming.

Also take a pushchair that lies flat so he's asleep somewhere comfy on the move i.e. in the restaurant!

Do not boil tap water - you must use bottled water. i would also use it for sterilizing bottles as well.

Your bags are going to be extremely heavy I imagine what with all the stuff for the wedding, nappies and powdered milk for a fortnight plus jars of food. We went on hols with our 9 month old last summer and we were 8kgs over our weight allowance. Although we were 5kgs under on the way back as we had used everything we took with us.

I went to cuba a few years ago and it is a very poor country and the cayo's are very isolated so make sure you have enough of everything with you as if you manage to find a shop that stocks nappies, milk etc it will be very expensive. Just be cautious and be careful with how much fruit you give him as the water content in the fruit and the fact it has been washed in tap water could upset his tummy.

As for tipping we usually tip our maid and favourite bar staff 5cuc a week.