Taking 9 month old abroad

[babygirlisla]

Hello
My little girl is 3 months old and we are thinking of going on holiday around August time to the Caribbean so she will be approx 9 months old.

This is my first child so have no idea if this is a good idea or not?! I have a few questions ....

Will she still be having some milk by then and if so can I use bottled water to mix with powder as there prob won't be a kettle also without a kettle or microwave how will I clean and sterilise the bottles?

Would she be able to eat just fruit and veg available at restaurants just mashed up a bit?

Will the flight be too long for her .... ?

We are going with my parents so help will be available.

Just any other advice on how to make it easy would be great really

Thank you xx

Hello,
I have travelled with my DD a lot in her 11 months, It's not as difficult as it may seem... And they grow up so much from 3 months to 9.

In answer to your questions:
Yes, she will still be having some milk. At 9mo mine was having about four feeds a day, mostly breastmilk though. However I have used formula while travelling too, but always had access to a kettle. Where will you be staying? I'm sure, if there's no kettle in the room, you could ask at the bar/restaurant for some boiled water. For sterilising, it won't be strictly necessary by 9mo (they eat dirt at that age) but if you do want to, you can buy cold water sterilising tablets. I take a Tupperware container with me that fits a bottle, and the tablets take 15 minutes or thereabouts.

Food wise, we now feed our daughter whatever we are eating in restaurants etc. it means that somedays she eats a really varied healthy diet and others are mostly bread and fruit. When she was 9mo I was a little more precious, and took jars for one meal a day. Hotel buffet breakfasts are great for sneaking bread rolls, bananas etc into your handbag. I also used to get an omelette made for breakfast and then store half in the minibar in the hotel room for DD's dinner.

The flight will be fine. Book a bassinet for her to sleep in, take spare clothes for you and her, toys, books, lots of wet wipes etc etc. it'll be exhausting, but it will end and then you'll be on holiday!

It should be absolutely fine. My 10 month old eats a wide variety of food so you will be able to give yours what you are having mostly - not just fruit and veg and no need for mashing up really at 9 months either. As for the milk perhaps you could just pack enough cartons of formula for your trip then you don't have to worry about access to a kettle. Cold water sterilising tablets are great for travelling.

Thank you for your replies

With cold water sterilising tablets does it mater where the water comes from or should I use bottled water. As some places you go you are not supposed to drink the water from the tap but does the sterilising tablet kill all these possible germs?

I am sure like you say it's easier than you think just want to make sure she enjoys it too and it's not too traumatic for her!

Thanks again

with the sterilising tablets you can just use tap water. The tablet kills the germs.

Agree with everyone above, have a wonderful holiday and look forward to it, sounds fab!

Agree with the cold water sterilising. I did it as standard anyway because it's so much easier. Have even done it in a stockpot with a plate on top to keep the bottles under The only thing to think about is that the minimum amount of water needed is 2.5 litres for tablets (single supermarket own brand, or half a Milton tablet). You can get pop up bowls from camping suppliers though, and then just put something on top to keep the items submerged.

As for formula - you can order however many cartons you will need from the Boots inside the terminal at the majority of UK international airports. This is after you have gone through security so the liquids are permitted, which means you will have them for the flight as well. It will have to be carried as hand luggage and within limits but as there are a few of you going this shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Until my DD was 1 we lived overseas and travelled back to the UK a lot. I found the Ella's Kitchen pouches absolutely brilliant when travelling as they are self contained -all you need is a spoon and if you want to warm it, some hot water, although my DD would eat them cold. They don't need to be kept in a fridge until they are opened, but by 9 months DD was eating a full one anyway. As they are in pouches they are light and easy to pack. Also cheaper to buy them in bulk from Amazon on Subscribe and Save.

One way to save on baggage space is to buy a buggy or carseat travel bag, depending on which you are taking. Not only does it protect the buggy/carseat - but you can then put things in with them. I used to strap packs of nappies into the seat of the carseat before putting it in the bag because nappies were expensive where we lived. I also carried unopened tins of formula the same way. The bags are available from Amazon as well.

Can you tell Amazon was one of the few companies that delivered to us? Hehehe!

Have a lovely holiday!

My HV has suggested always to use bottled water when abroad and to boil it fresh before use. In some countries you can buy baby water in large bottles which should be safe for use without boiling. Get as many baby food pouches as you can, easy to carry and to feed. Also get some Calpol and dehydration packets as babies tend to get diaria when you change their water. Antibacterial wipes are essential. Readymade baby milk cartons are live savers sometimes, so pack some of them also.