taking a 7 month old to Portugal - what do I need?

[GoldenSnitch]

In July, we'll be taking our children abroad on holiday for the first time. DS will be 3.4, DD will be 7 months.

We've stuck to UK holidays since DS was born so this will be the first time we've ever gone abroad with children. TBH, we would probably have waited a bit longer before trying it if it were just down to us but PIL are paying for the holiday because they want to celebrate 40 years of marriage with a family holiday so we can't really say no.

We have passports and I'm hoping to be able to carry on breastfeeding for long enough to not have to take bottles etc through customs. Any tips would be greatly appreciated - what do I need to take/know?

Carseat don't hire one went with a friend to Portagual with her nine mouth old we hired one it was really bad we could get it in tight he was sick in it was difficult to get cover off. I would take his baby seat that goes up to 13kg take it with you to the gate and it will then go in the hold last. I would take lots of nappies in hand luggage and what you can fit in in hold baggage. the last thing you want to do is run out when you get delayed. WE got delayed coming back at faro wasn't to bad there was a little play area. My friend took sachets of milk (i know your bf) When you are all straped in on the plain as you start rolling down the runway bf baby this helps there ears.

Sorry Lee, didn't mean to make you worry about your seats!

Good idea for planning for delays castle. What with the finiacial crisis and the ash clouds that seem to be going on for months and months, this year is not looking like the best choice for going away!!

This thread is extremely useful for me as we are also going to Portugal in the near future and will also be taking a toddler and a 7 month old! One thing that lurks in the back of my mind is something to do with only using low sodium bottled water for making up bottles.

Has anyone else even heard this or am I being neurotic?! If this is something that I need to do can anyone please suggest which makes of bottled water are low sodium (preferably a brand which is likely to be available in Portugal if possible!).

The Ella's kitchen pouches are definitely going into my case just in case we can't find any food that she likes. We are meant to be All Inclusive but who knows what will await us.

Thanks in advance for any tips on the water brands

We have a Maxi Cosi Cabriofix for DD so I checked the website. It says:

"How many years can I use a car seat for and is an older seat still safe?

Child car seats should not be used for longer than 5 to 6 years after the purchase date.The gradual ageing of the plastic (for instance under the influence of sunlight) may unnoticeably reduce the qualities of the product.This has consequences for safety.Child car seats from a reliable source always have production clocks. This means that you can read on all plastic parts how old a product is.Never use seats with orange ECE marks that came onto the market before seats with the ECE R44/03 approval. This R44/03 norm dates from 1 September 1994 and a seat older than this, e.g.R44/02 or R44/01, is definitely no longer safe to install in present-day carsand is therefore dangerous."

I need to check how old MIL's car seat is. It have a feeling it's one of SIL's old seats and will be at least 7 years old - in which case I will either take our seat or buy a cheapish one to take with us. I'm tempted with the cheap one as I'm really not sure I trust them with the Maxi Cosi (which would be very expensive to replace) but then is a really cheap one going to offer much in the way of protection?

Make sure you have a change of clothes in hand luggage for both baby and your little one-someone always is sick, spills down themselves etc!
Nappies are really expensive out there so if you can fit some in the case with you I would take some.

I always take plasters, calpol sachets ,anti histamine for allergic reaction or bites and maybe whatever teething remody you may need if your 7 month old has started teething-eg bonjela, teething powders etc.

Main thing is try and relax and enjoy your family holiday !

Thanks Lee36 - I'm really not sure, I guess I just assumed we would have to use bottled water as I think the advice for adults is generally to drink bottled water and avoid the stuff out of the tap - but maybe if it's boiled and left to cool then it would be ok? Who knows!

DH came up with a fantastic plan last night...

If the ash cloud affects our flights, we can just drive to Portugal! With a 3 year old and a 7 month old! If we drive for 9 hours a day, it'll only take 3 days!!