hi
we are planning our first trip with our 4 month baby to either Bali or Phuket and would like some feedback from parents who has taken their babies on vacation. We have no clue what to do and are nervous about the whole trip:-
1. is bottled water safe to make milk formula (is the bottled water in Phuket & Bali safe?)
2. how would one sterlise bottles in hotels
3. what do we need to take for the baby
Would appreciate some good tips and advice on what to do on the plane journey and while on vacation..
Thanks!
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Hi toblechoc1602!
We just came back from Bali about a month ago and are pretty familiar with life in Indonesia as we lived in Jakarta before. Eventhough my kids are a little older than yours (2 and 3) I know how worrying it can be travelling with a baby for the first time.
If you already know where you will be staying, request for a baby cot instantly. Sometimes if you ask in advance for a baby tub or even steriliser, they MAY have it already since you're probably not the first mom worrying about clean bottles. If not, prepare sterilising tablets which you can put into a kettle (usually provided in hotel rooms already) but you'll probably be able to sterilise only one bottle at a time.
I'd also bring some mosquito repellent, sun tan lotion, jarred baby food if your baby is already on solids and lots of light cotton t-shirts. Bring along some tylenol just in case your baby comes down with a fever. A car seat would also come in handy if you plan on touring the island.
Yes, most bottled water (Aqua or Ades) is good enough for babies. My olderest child, born in Jakarta had those all the time so don't worry.
As your baby is still pretty young you won't have to worry about him/her running around and annoying other passangers. Just bring enough nappies for the flight (bear in mind, there will be delays when you least expect it!), a change of clothes for baby and yourself...in case he/she decides to throw a big one on you :(
Good luck and I am sure you'll be just fine and most importantly have a great time in Bali! Wished we could go there again....
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marys
20 yrs ago
i used to travel back and forth from jakarta to singapore/malaysia every other month with my then infant daughter. bring the sterilising tablets, and a tupperware/plastic container big enough to sterilise two bottles.
aqua is the better bottled water in indonesia. although others are fine, i usually boiled the water and let it cool before mixing with formulas.
during flights get a bottle of water or milk ready for her to sip on during take off/landing, just in case the cabin air pressure is bothering your baby and causing ear pain.
have a good holiday!
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MdmButterfly & marys
thanks so much for your advice, I am so looking forward to a vacation but at the same time am very anxious about our very first trip! your tips and advice are of great help...Thanks again.
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Seems you've already been given good advice. My advice on bottles is to use milton sterliising tablets - Bumps to Babes have them and take a plastic bowl as someone else said, that is large enough for a couple of bottles. I was expressing so would then keep milk in the mini bar. Also take a mini brush and a small container of washing up liquid for cleaning the bottles.
For the plane if you are breastfeeding then feed on take off and landing cos that helps the babies ears, if not then give a bottle or dummy. I found the cabin crew were enormously helpful on my first trip and it really reassured me for future trips.
Mozzie spray, and net, suncream for an infant and a little washing detergent so I could rinse sicky cloths out were also useful.
Don't be anxious and do ask staff on the plane and at the hotel for help if you need it - they're in the hospitality industry and they know what they're doing!!
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My eldest baby got a sunburn even while wearing hat, we can only figure from sun reflected off beach sand. And some sun screens are not recommended for babies. Be careful!
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It would probably be safer to make the bottles with boiled tap water. It needs to be boiled for 10 minutes. You could buy some chemical sterilizing tablets for sterilization. Matilda Baby Clinic offers good advice for travelling 2849 1500.
Lynne - 2849 0328
Matilda International Hospital
Hong Kong
http://www.matilda.org
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Boiled mineral water vs boiled tap water in countries where tap water might not be the cleanest - which is a better option? And I heard that not all mineral water brands are baby-friendly - does anyone know which ones are? I have a 9 week old baby and will be traveling to places like bintan in indonesia later this year so advice on this will be helpful!
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meiji
20 yrs ago
Volvic is good for babies. Low mineral content, safe enough for making baby's formula or drinking.
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meiji
20 yrs ago
Also, boiled distilled water is also fine. My pediatrician said it's good for babies below 6 months. No mineral water for young babies.
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marys
20 yrs ago
in indonesia we used aqua. that's the "better" bottled water. or ades.
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distilled or mineral water with a low mineral content (especially sodium) as baby's system is too immature at th
distilled or mineral water with a low mineral content (especially sodium) as your baby's kidneys are too immature for an overload of minerals. Bottled water is generally not 'sterile' so if you are using it for young babies it should be boiled before use.
Deborah at Annerley
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I just returned froma trip to the Uk 13hr flight. My bubs is 4mths and i am expressing all my milk so you can imagine how nervous i was about it all and getting everything sterilsed. I used the hotel sink i washed it first and then used the sterilising tablets (i needed to borrow scissors to open the foil packs though. My Suggestion to you is maybe a little more costly but worth it, if you are using Avent bottles buy the disposible bottles you will only need to bring extra teats. Then you have less to worry about cleaning. Bring a plastic tupperware container is a good idea if you have the room but we already had sooo much stuff that i just couldn't fit one in and used the sink. Look into everything you usually use and then see if you can buy it disposible, ie bibs, tetra prepacked formula, bottles. Next time i travel i will do this i wished i'd thought about it more before. Also take an extra change of clothes for bubs as the airpressure made my bubs poo more and it leaked. If you are aking for a bulkhead seat (cot bed) ask in advance and check with the airline a day before you go to see if you got it. If you have you don't have to worry about getting to the airport hours early if not then it's a good idea to go as early as possible to assure you get the cot. They airline will provide a sheet and blanket but i also took my own and swaddel. The lights can shine in bubs eyes depending on which cot you get so maybe bring something light to cover the cot with.
When the hosties ask you which meal you want order it and if bubs is awake take turns eating with hubby they should save your meal for you.
Yes feed bubs during take off and for about 10mins aafterwards while the plane is still rising. Best of luck just remember the'll be other mums on the plane in your shoes so if you've forgotten anything i'm sure someone would come to the resue! Good luck
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many thanks for this . where can i buy disposal avent bottles?
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