two weeks in Mexico with 8 month old.

[is it puppies?]

I have seen some similar threads but would love more advice. Next month we are off for two weeks at an all inclusive resort on the Mexican riviera. We probably will not leave the resort much so need to bring everything. I have a bunch of questions and would also love any unsolicited advice/ stories :)

1) what do we bring on the plane? DH and I will each wear a carrier, and we will prob bring the stroller as we are only allowed 1 pc baggage each. I think I will bring my BF pillow and hope she will snooze. The way there will be during the witching hour(s) after 4pm and I think we arrive after 11pm so I am really hoping for dozing rather than screaming! what else do I need to know about flying with a babe?

2) what do you do with a baby on a bus? or in a car without a car seat if we ever cab?

3) what are the essentials I will need for DD? non-toxic sunscreen... how much? what kind? is 2 weeks of chemical sunscreen okay?  disposables diapers... how many?(I CD so have no idea, though DD currently still poops about 5-6 times  most days  so I assume a lot) I have one swim dipe and two sunsuits for her- what other clothing? toys? should I bring a lifejacket? I would buy things and leave extras but it sounds very expensive there, and I am worried about toxic paints etc (or is 2 weeks of lead paint okay?)

4) any thoughts on supplements/homeo remedies to take? (for all of us). we do D and will do garlic pills. I got dengue on a week long in mexico once so am slightly terrified. What about mosquito repellant on baby? on us? I have a mercola repellant left so will bring that but how careful do we need to be (I never used any there before lol) I am scared of getting sick there and having my milk dry up for a while. mind you I made it through 2 years in asian tropics with basically no illness.

5) how paraniod should we be with surfaces etc? I am fairly paranoid here, as there's an outbreak of norovirus and it's flu season. I wipe down tables when we eat out, use a highchair cover etc. what about surfaces in our room?

6) feeding- we BF and have introduced a couple of foods mostly for playing and mostly in case I get sick in Mexico and we need to give food. I found the other day though that a bit of chewed up food from a restaraunt gave us a bit more peace to eat :) is it safe to give anything? and DD loves ice cubes- I assume that's a bad idea even if we don't avoid them?

well this is turning into a novel but I think you get the gist!

[orca]

Originally Posted by is it puppies? 

1) what do we bring on the plane? DH and I will each wear a carrier, and we will prob bring the stroller as we are only allowed 1 pc baggage each. I think I will bring my BF pillow and hope she will snooze. The way there will be during the witching hour(s) after 4pm and I think we arrive after 11pm so I am really hoping for dozing rather than screaming! what else do I need to know about flying with a babe? 

I've flown with all three of my kids to Mexico and elsewhere. They all LOVED the plane and mostly slept the whole time. The noise & vibration is very sleep inducing. Adjust your expectations. If you plan to watch a movie or read on the plane you'll be frustrated at the other end of the flight. Plan to nurse the whole way and not get up to pee or be able to do anything other than watch your babe sleep and then you'll be thrilled if you get a movie in!

2) what do you do with a baby on a bus? or in a car without a car seat if we ever cab?

The bus that takes you to the resort is usually a huge bus and we just held the baby on our laps. Mexico seems pretty relaxed about car seat safety. I've seen babies on mom's hip on the back of a motorcycle down there. So, don't worry too much about what the rules are down there! If you don't leave the resort this won't be an issue for you. In cabs, we've just kept the baby in a wrap and put the seatbelt on myself.

3) what are the essentials I will need for DD? non-toxic sunscreen... how much? what kind? is 2 weeks of chemical sunscreen okay?  disposables diapers... how many?(I CD so have no idea, though DD currently still poops about 5-6 times  most days  so I assume a lot) I have one swim dipe and two sunsuits for her- what other clothing? toys? should I bring a lifejacket? I would buy things and leave extras but it sounds very expensive there, and I am worried about toxic paints etc (or is 2 weeks of lead paint okay?)

Suscreen: I've always used Umbrelle kids (I'm in Canada too) and never had a problem with it. We were down there last month and I just kept DS out of the sun since he was only 3 months old. Diapers: take a few prefolds (for laying her on a chair in the shade all nudey) and swim diapers (I use my fuzzi buns without the insert) at the pool/ beach. If your DD is in the pool she won't need a 'sposie and you can wash out the swim diapers at the end of the day in the sink. They dry super fast down there. We used disposables at night and in the restaurants. About 6 per day, I'd say will be PLENTY- so long as you have her in a swim diaper most of the day.

4) any thoughts on supplements/homeo remedies to take? (for all of us). we do D and will do garlic pills. I got dengue on a week long in mexico once so am slightly terrified. What about mosquito repellant on baby? on us? I have a mercola repellant left so will bring that but how careful do we need to be (I never used any there before lol) I am scared of getting sick there and having my milk dry up for a while. mind you I made it through 2 years in asian tropics with basically no illness.

On the east coast they have lots of nasty sprays for bugs. We never really had a problem with mosquitoes. Run for the indoors and shut your door when you see the chemical truck starting to spray at dusk! If you are in a 4 or 5 star resort you won't have a problem with getting sick. We've been at least 6 times over the past few years and have never even had an upset stomach between us all.

5) how paraniod should we be with surfaces etc? I am fairly paranoid here, as there's an outbreak of norovirus and it's flu season. I wipe down tables when we eat out, use a highchair cover etc. what about surfaces in our room?

I do the same. I think it's reasonable to continue to wipe down tables at restaurants etc. Hotel rooms are notoriously nasty and if she is crawling you might just have to deal with her getting chemical residue on her. I found the rooms to be very clean, but that comes with the chemical residue of who knows what! Lots of hand washing!

6) feeding- we BF and have introduced a couple of foods mostly for playing and mostly in case I get sick in Mexico and we need to give food. I found the other day though that a bit of chewed up food from a restaraunt gave us a bit more peace to eat :) is it safe to give anything? and DD loves ice cubes- I assume that's a bad idea even if we don't avoid them?

Take some jars of food, applesauce etc.

well this is turning into a novel but I think you get the gist!

I'd also recommend a plug in kettle. I've taken it on every trip and it is awesome for boiling the bottled water the resort provides to give to your DD in sippy cups or to sterilize soothers or other teething toys. I'm sure the bottles water is totally safe, but I've always done this and we've never had a problem.

Relax and have fun! It's a great family holiday!

[is it puppies?]

Wow! thanks so much for your great answers :)
I really appreciate it!!
 

[JudiAU]

You need to bring your carseat with you and install it prior to riding in a cab. There is no special rule for vacations in foreign countries that say just because the locals don't always use them you shouldn't. You take a *very serious risk* by not taking one. You don't keep a baby in a carseat because of the "rules." You keep them in a carseat to keep them SAFE. And yes, it is personal, my best friend lost three cousins and an aunt and uncle on a visit to Mexico. All three children and the parents would have survived if they had been wearing seatbelts and carseats. They didn't want their extended relatives to laugh at them. It is not okay to drive with an unrestrained 8 month old. If you are worried about finding a cab, ask your hotel to arrange for one.

She shouldn't wear chemical sunscreen at all at this age. We like the California Baby stick and Burts Bees cream. Rather than a bathing suit, I'd rec a sunsuit that has arms and legs. They work much better and reduce sunscreen application. I'd also get a really good hat like flap happy etc.

Are you familiar with the Sears-rec'd Happy Baby line. I'd probably pack some of there pouches. I make homemade baby food but I admit I am impressed with the nutrtion profile on their food.

[HappyMonkey]

The stroller doesn't count as your luggage.. the baby usually gets to bring needed baby things on top of the parents luggage allowance, even if they don't have a seat. Ask your travel agent to look into it.