How to approach BLW in a Catered Chalet?

[AliandHerScallywag]

We are off to La Rosiere in March with Crystal staying in one of their "family friendly" chalets. DS will be 9mo by then and we are well into baby led weaning. I was wondering whether anyone has taken their DCs to a catered chalet during the weaning process, especially when they are taking a BLW approach?

How did the practicalities work? I'm assuming that I shouldn't expect the chalet staff to make up finger foods at tea-time, but will they let me buy food for ds and store it? Will they let me use the kitchen? I know that most chalet staff aren't keen on having guests poking around in their kitchen, and I can see why. Then again, if DS was older the chalet staff would probably be providing a high tea. Crystal will sell me a box of jars for a fee, but clearly we dont need them.

I'm confused

The rest of the chalet has been booked by our party: two other couples both with babies: one 9mo too, the other 14mo.

TIA

Why not just phone Crystal direct and get it straight from the horses mouth? You seem to be worrying about nothing though..

Good idea, although the last person I spoke to at Crystal was shall we say a bit "dim", and that was only about travel cots: "we can request a cot but can't guarantee it". So do I take our own cot or not? Anyway, that is one for another thread...

I will brave their call centre tomorrow.

Oh dear, would never have suggested it if I´d known they have a call centre. Good luck!

Have to say though, if you are going to a "catered" chalet, why shouldn´t they cater for your baby? Do you pay anything for him? If so, they don´t have a leg to stand on. You could suggest the foods you will need prior to arrival, much of which will be what you would eat anyway surely..

We did have to pay an infant charge. Can't remember what exactly now, but it would be more enough to cover some carrot sticks and cucumber.

I am pretty clued up about chalet operators really - I have worked seasons albeit as a rep. However this is the first time ski-ing as a parent, so am struggling with the logistics.

Nevermind. I am just very excited to be going to the Alps, full stop.

are the other babies also BLW?

If they will sell you jars, then they must also give you access for using the microwave etc.., so if they don't provide anything I'm sure you should be able to nip in and make something yourself.

Maybe, make sure you take something easy for the 1stday and just approach the chalet staff when you arrive.

Thanks Deb.

The other 9 month old is being weaned on purees, but I assume that by now he has started some finger foods. His Mum is planning to buy one of their "weaning packs" though. The 14 month old should be onto normal food most of the time I think.

So if the 14 month old is on normal food, will the catering staff be proving their meal? If so, then surely P can have the same (within reason)

Very exciting to be going away!

Can't talk for a catered chalet, but my approach to going on holiday with a BLW baby was to save things from my meal and either:

a) give to her as I go along (we eat together- it't the best thing about BLW!)

b) or put them to one side in a bowl, cover in cling film, put in fridge and give to her later. So, for example, you save the veg, chicken, cheese, fruit whatever from the meal you are provided with and say "that'll do nicely for tonight's dinner/ tomorrow's lunch". Doesn't involve poking round in their kitchen but does get you the end result you want. My DD did eat some strange combinations at mealtimes, as it was pot luck whether there were things she liked and not too salty etc. but then she also expanded her repetoire massively. And there was always something to feed her!- we were never stuck for it.

Thanks Wobbegong, that's a sensible suggestion to save bits as that is what we do at home anyway. Stupid of me not to think of it myself.

Deb, I think you are right they probably will do something for the 14 mo. I'm expecting her Mum to call me this morning so will find put what her eating is like at the moment.

Hi - I've jsut got back from Plan Peisey- a catered chalet and we sort of BLW a 8/9month old. LO hates to be spoonfed, so we've little option.
We went with Ski Beat who are prob a bit more flexible, but essentially, the chalet will be preparing high tea for other kids and your LO should be able to eat what they eat.
You can ask for the week's menu (this is what I did at the creche) and if you see there's something that isn't suitable, then you can buy something or save something from a previous adult dinner.
Only thing about saving food is that you cna't assume that you can have fridge space - esp at the start of the week when the chalet fridge is chocca. We couldn't store bottles in ours.

sorry I didn't read the replies about the 14mo, but your lo will prob be fine with what they eat.
my biggest problem was that high tea was at 6 and my lo is used to eating at 5pm. we tried it for 2 days but it was no good - chalet staff were v good and made it for 5 for us instead.

Thanks Daisy, that is good to know. Pleased to hear that someone else had tackled this successfully.

As an ex crystal chalet rep, when I was working I wouldn't have had a clue what to do for a 9month old so I would suggest having a chat to them when you get there. I would have been happy to let you have fridge space for food for the baby, and would expect this in a family chalet. If memory serves, I'm not sure that the chalet budget includes baby food but if there is spare food that is appropriate then I would have been happy to let you have this. Just speak to your chalet host when you arrive - they'll appreciate it I'm sure.

Hope you have a fab time.

ladyhelen, sorry I missed your reply initially. We are going at the weekend, so having just read your post it is still timely. Thanks!