1 wk Majorca holiday with my 7 month old son - what do I need to consider?
Has anyone been on a foreign all inclusive hols with a young baby. How do you sterilise bottles etc if you are in a hotel room without a microwave? I am breastfeeding , but I read that the the locals are quite prudish about that so I am considering bottlefeeding during the day.
Should I take a lightweight pushchair along? Does this count towards my luggage allowance on the plane? Also read to take own anppies and jar food too - but is it worth the hassle of lugging it there?
I have a 2 year old who is quite independent so will this holiday be totally stressful or should I forget it and go to Butlins this year instead?
Will be interested to hear your experiences.
Cheers
Answer:
Hello there, We took our little boys then 8 months and just over 2 to c'an picafort in Majorca last Sep and I have to say it was a fantastic holiday. Majorca its-self is very family friendly but what I will say is Nappies cost loads out there compared to here!
We stayed at the Hotel Son Baulo which had baby equipment to hire. We hired a steriliser and a fridge, we could also have pre-booked baby food jars and nappy packs with wipes etc.
We also took two strollers which the aircraft took free of charge and didn't affect our baggage allowance. I'd suggest you pop into a travel agents and enquire about pre-bookable baby packs and equipment, I know in some hotels you can hire strollers, highchairs, playpens & uv tents for on the beach. travelcare where we booked were fantastic with organising all the kids stuff and it was a Thomson hotel.
Hope all that helps and I hope it makes sense as my little humbug has just re-decorated my back door with his colouring pens so have only been half concentrating!!
If you need any further info lease don't hesitate to contact me via email and i'll be please to help xx
It'll definitely be more stressful. There's lots of things to consider - how baby will travel ie)how he handles the plane or ship, nap times, how he sleeps in a new environment, can he eat the food, what endogenous illnesses are there in Maj. that have to be considered and possibly vaccinated against, water quality, breastfeeding when and where, all the baby accessories that you'll need to bring (including food and diapers - and food may no longer be allowed on the plane) etc. Doesn't sound like there'll be much of a holiday for you and hubby.
I would stick to Britain far to hot even in may for babies who are not used to heat
young kids are more pron to picking up tummy bugs also
some kids do not cope on aeroplanes
I don't think it's a good idea taking babies abroad. The heat for one thing is too much for them. It will put him/her totally out of routine too. I was once on a flight and a baby's eardrum was burst as we came in to land. If you get a lousy engineer on a plane that doesn't control the air pressure going up and coming down, it crucifies the ears.
Majorca is very family friendly and I'm sure if you go there you will find that lots of other people have young babies.
If you are staying in an all inclusive resort then you don't need to worry about the locals being prudish about your breastfeeding because the only people who will see you will be other British holiday makers and the staff, who will be fully used to British ways!
You should take a pushchair, and no this doesn't count towards your luggage allowance. They will just take it off you at the gate and you can collect it from the door of the aircraft once the plane lands.
Don't feel you can't go away just because you have a baby. I know people who have taken their babies on 24 hour flights from New Zealand to UK, and one of my best friends is currently in South Africa with her 10 month old.
We are taking our 6 month old to Spain soon so are having similar thoughts as you. I have found in Mothercare a very small sterilsing kit for travel. Also there are lots of sterilising solutions you can get. I would stick to the breastfeeding if I were you. Don't worry what people think, think what is best for you and baby. You can always cover up with a muslin over your shoulder and baby. I am going to take enough nappies for the flight and first day then buy the rest there. We are flying easyjet and I called them. Pushchairs don't count as part of you luggage nor do carseats. You can take both and still have your full luggage allowence for your stuff. I would check with your airline too though.
Having a 2 year old 'm sure you have been through most parenting tests before so will be just fine. I am also getting organised with things like a sun shade for the buggy a sun protective swim outfit etc.
There is so much to think about and worry about but I think once you get there it won't be much different from being at home with a little one. Just be careful of the water there and feed the baby during take off and landing to help the ears.
Enjoy your holiday
Why do you need to take your own nappies? They do have Pampers out there you know! Also the hotel should provide suitable food for babies if you are on an all inclusive holiday, and even if they don't provide jarred food, I am sure that they can liquidise some veg for you! I wouldn't worry about the locals either, I first took my daughter to Spain when she was 15 weeks old and no-one batted an eyelid if I had to feed her, it's all about being discreet.
Your pushchair will not be counted as extra baggage, but of you don't want to lug it there check with your tour operator as some will actually rent these out along with car seats if they are super duper child friendly.
As for your two year old, I am sure that the hotel will have entertainment in place and creches etc. to keep him/her occupied.
Altogether I would totally not change your plans,just go through everything with the operator (e-mail as you have a record then) of all the stuff you are worried about, read all your documents carefully and don't have too mcuh of a set idea about what you "have" to do when you are there. Have a great time!
Hi i went to Cyprus last year with with my 7 mth old baby he was fine he loved it. I took a kettle with me bought sum bottle water other there and used the boiled water to sterilise the bottles. I also took my own nappies and tinned food i just packed it with the clothes. I didn't fancy giving him food from over there you don't know what they put in them. I also tryed giving him cold tin food it saves with the hassle warming them up when your out.
I took my son abroad when he was 8months old. I took about 20 nappies and afew jars of baby food incase shops were closed when we arrived. I also bought sterilising bags and tablets before we went. Calpol sachets just in case .Supermarkets abroad will sell everything you need for your baby so dont worry about forgetting anything just make sure youv'e got enough for the first day. Check with the airline but most allow under 2's a puschair. I would definatly take a parasol/sunshade for the pram.
i went to menorca last september with my daughter who was 8 months at the time and she loved it i took my own baby food and nappies and wipes and some sma, they let me take her food on the plane and juice as long as i tasted it. my sister also came with us with her 3 children one was 5 month one was nearly 2 and one was 3 and a half and they all loved it too if travelling with children you are allowed to take a pram aswell as hand luggage and my sister went the year before to a hotel and when she wanted to warm a bottle the hotel gave her hot water to warm the bottle in like u would at home - i think you would have a great time as i know we did.
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