Holiday advice for 6 month old needed!

[KJ2021]

Hello all,
I'm looking for some advice! I’m a first time mum taking my son on holiday in September, he’ll be 6 months by then & is bottle fed. What’s best to do regards making his bottles out there & sterilising? I’ve been advised to get a cabin approved stroller, is this needed?

Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you ,

Katie

What country are you going to? If you can't drink the tap water I guess you'll need to make do with bottle water in a kettle for making up bottles. You can use their water for water sterilising or you can take microwave steriliser bags if you have access to a microwave.

If you don't have a cabin approved stroller I believe they just take the pram off you before boarding the plane to put it in with the suitcases but you can't guarantee you'll get it back before getting to baggage at the other end, so you could potentially be holding your baby on the other end/on the bus to the airport building/immigration, and sometimes those prams come round looking a bit battered! With a cabin approved one you can use it as soon as you leave the plane and ensure it's in good nick and then you can just have it in your car to pop to the shops instead of a big pram - get your moneys worth! The joie tourist and silver cross clic look really good but just double check they are cabin approved by your airline.

I think you would also thank yourself for taking a baby carrier with you for some hands free time!

We went to Lanzarote when my son was 6 months old. We were staying in a villa so just sterilised bottles in boiling water on the hob. To be honest I've been about lax about sterilising since 6 months anyway, dont sterilise them every single use anymore. I brought a bunch of Aptimel ready to drink bottles which we used when we were out and about during the day but we made up bottles with formula powder when we were in the accommodation (really missed our Perfect Prep here!). We brought a bunch of puree pouches for solids (we were doing baby led weaning but the pouches were just way easier on holidays) and also went to the supermarket for fresh fruit for him. He wasn't eating full meals at 6 months anyway so it was easier than it would be now.

We brought a collapsible stroller, could bring it right to the gate and got it back right after we got off the plane in Lanzarote but when we flew back home we didn't get it back until the baggage carasol. Agree that a baby carrier is a must!

You can bring formula and purees through security, just have them out of your luggage and on the tray for inspection. Bring some toys and snacks for the flight. We got a stroller fan on amazon which was a lifesaver in the heat. Check to see if your accommodation provides a travel cot or any other equipment you need. We got a high chair, blackout blinds, cot and changing mat provided which was a big help.

It's a brilliant age to travel, hope you have a great trip!

We went to Spain hen mine was similar age, had a fantastic time.

Made bottles up with bottled water (Lanjaron as I'd read on mumsnet it has the lowest sodium)
We ordered powder and 30 ready made bottles (for out and about) to collect at Boots at the airport (it's after security and doesn't count towards your baggage allowance)

Pram - we hired one out there and it wasn't as good as our one at home but totally did the job for the holiday. We used sling at the airport and on the plane.

Carseat - used for taxis, packed in a massive car seat bag along with loads of other baby items (they don't weigh it so you can put all your heavy stuff in there to save on baggage allowance)

Sterilising - we did Milton in a big pot, and sometimes the dr browns microwave bags.