Baby holiday abroad advice?

[FTM521]

Hi all,

So we have a holiday booked to Greece for seven nights & little one will be 9 months.

Any advice on what & how much to take with us? Is it better to pack nappies etc or just buy them there? (I imagine they'll be getting ridiculously expensive in the airport)
Daft question but do they sell C&G formula in Greece? 🙈

What do we do regarding milk/ sterilising bottles etc? (She's on formula). I've heard people mention sterilisation tables, if so does anyone have recommendations?

Advice for the plane? What kept your little ones entertained?

Are you allowed to take pre-made bottles through the airport or will we need to take clean empty bottles and buy the milk in the airport?

We've never holidayed with a baby before so we're quite nervous.
Any advice appreciated ❤️

You've basically asked all the questions I need answers to! Il be watching the responses haha xx

@Amei it's literally the most stressful thing I've ever put myself through! I have no idea what I'm doing! 😂

We went to Spain when my DS was 9mo.

We got a giant travel bag for his pram, so shoved tons of extra packing in there - including nappies - which you can check for free at check-in.

On the plane, lots of snacks. And a couple new toys/books to open on the flight. If possible, try to time flights with nap / sleep times.

He was EBF, so didn't have to worry about formula/bottles. But you are allowed to bring liquids through if it's for babies.

And in general - when you're there, go with the flow. I think if you stress too much about routines, etc it becomes more work than holiday

I’m going to Florida in a few weeks with a baby so don’t have experience yet but have done a lot of research! We are planning to order formula to boots in the airport if possible which might work for you too? Also yes a huge buggy travel bag is a good idea cos you can sneak a lot of extra stuff in without it counting as your luggage allowance. We are planning to check the buggy at the start and use a sling/mountain buggy bag rider (second hand they are quite cheap and useful) within the airport. I would be stressed about folding the buggy up at the gate but you may prefer to keep yours. I don’t know if they sell C&G in Greece but if it’s a resort there are often English supermarkets catering for holidays makers which may well sell them! If I pick up any other tips in a few weeks I will share if it would help

Firstly try to relax, holidays are always going to mean that things won't be like at home.

I would suggest ready made formula for the airport, you can order to pick up more airside too, but powder bought in the U.K. travels better if you know you will have a kettle. We had Milton tablets when I was a baby, they are your best bet. At 9 months though it's not the end of the world if you have to use a different type. With foods go with the flow, my kids had all kinds of unusual things when traveling.

We flew with DS to Dubai when he was 10 months.

Take nappies as likely expensive in any shop near a hotel / resort. Not as important if you're self catering and have a big supermarket near by.

You can take as much formula as you need on the plane for baby through security. I think prob 2 or 3 bottles worth.

You can pre order formula that you can pick up airside so you don't have to take it through security.

My DS was combi fed with special CMPA formula so I took a tub of the powder in our hand luggage and one in the hold luggage.

Boots sell sterilising bags which are great for travel. They flat packs and you use them with normal cold tap water. They're designed to hang on door knobs or showers.

For transporting powdered formula through security and on the plane, breastmilk storage bags are great. Sterile and flat packed.

You can take a folding stroller to the aircraft door and request it comes to the door and you land. Take a sling to use getting on and off the plane and just in case you do have to wait until baggage reclaim to get it back.

@FTM521 how did the holiday go? I am due my 1st at the end of July so no holidays this year. But I would love to get away maybe next April/ May when he is 9 or 10 months before TTC no 2. Would you do it again with a baby that age?