Caribbean vacation with our infant?
August 30, 2009 by Caribbean Vacation and Island Tips
Filed under Caribbean Answers
Can you answer Sam N’s question about Caribbean?:
My wife and I are planning to take a Caribbean vacation next month with our 9 month old daughter. Are there any countries or resorts which are more child-friendly then others? As well are there any precautions we should be taking? For example additional shots prior to the trip or taking baby food in jars. Do we take food for the week with us? What sort of food is available over there for a 9 month old infant?
Romantic Honeymoon In Caribbean
My wife and I are planning to take a Caribbean vacation next month with our 9 month old daughter. Are there any countries or resorts which are more child-friendly then others? As well are there any precautions we should be taking? For example additional shots prior to the trip or taking baby food in jars. Do we take food for the week with us? What sort of food is available over there for a 9 month old infant?
Romantic Honeymoon In Caribbean
Caribbean Feedback: Find a relative or trusted friend and leave that kid at home. 9 months is way too young for traveling to somewhere like the Caribbean. Most resorts are adult-oriented. You and your wife should just go by yourselves, relax, and have fun. Wait until you go to Disney World or something to take the kid.
Caribbean Feedback: The Caribbean is a large area made up of many islands. Some are larger and more modern with large supermarkets offering pretty much everything you would find in the states. Others are much smaller, and have limited supplies that you might want for your child.
Buy a Caribbean travel book at your local book store and do some research. There are also resorts on the internet that claim to be “family” resorts, but that doesn’t really refer to 9 month olds as much as to you kids who need constant things to do.
Caribbean Feedback: Maybe you should rethink taking your baby. How much can you really enjoy with the baby in tow? If you must take her make sure you put sunblock on her, avoid having her in the sun for too long, or in direct sun light, its good to keep a summer hat on her. As for vaccines I don’t think there are any requirements. Talk to your doctor about an appropriate insect repellent to use on her. There are diseases that certain insects carry that kids are more susceptible to. To be on the safe side I would recommend bringing your own baby food. Who knows if they’ll have what she likes and often the foods in other countries taste different than they do here.
Caribbean Feedback: I can tell u from experience. I have been to Puerto Rico 3 times w/ my infant son. He is 2 now. The first time we went he was 8 months old. You will not have the best time ever, but u can still enjoy it. Alot of people say leave the baby w/ someone but I have noone to help me out so anywhere I go ever, he must go too. Maybe u are in the same dilema. Just make it work.
I am not sure about all the islands but PR is a US territory so everythig is safe. The water is good to drink, even for mixing formula. If you go to another island you will need to buy or bring bottled water. In PR they have Walgreens everywhere & sell all the same baby foods, diapers, OTC baby meds, etc. To go to PR the baby doesnt need any extra shots. No passport altough its wise to bring a copy of the baby’s birth cetificate.
If u are renting a car bring a car seat or ask the rental company ahead of time if they provide it. Find out if the hotel can provide a crib or something. If u only stay a few days u can bring the food, formula & diapers, if not just buy it there. Or find out if the island you go to sells it all first. PR is very child friendly, not all islands are so research first. PR even makes the beaches safer for kids. If you look at this photo below you will see how they bring the sand in to create a small area w/ shallow water & less waves for children.
The main thing is to bring hats & baby sunscreen for your daughter. The caribbean sun can burn even brown skin. Also in the caribbean mosquitos are abig problem & carry Dengue. Some islands have much higher percentages of it. Just make sure you do not have the baby out around dusk & dawn. We brought a light weight umbrella stroller & took him everywhere. We took him w/ us to see Camuy Caves & the Arecibo telescope & to ‘El Morro’ fort in San Juan. These are all places that the baby can easily be pushed in a stroller.
I stayed in the Embassy Suites Dorado & it was good b/c each room has a small kitchen area so you can prepare & wash bottles & refridgerate, etc. They had a pool & a private beach & we brought a baby floaty tube w/ back support & i let him float w/ me in the water.
I think u can do it & have fun. ENJOY whatever u do! Also check out hotels w/ babysitting/ child care services. I have never tried that but it would be nice to get an hour or 2 to yourselves also! In PR some hotels w/ this ammenity are:
Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel
San Juan, PR
800-804-6835
Caribe Hilton San Juan
San Juan, PR
800-804-6835
Best Western Hotel Pierre
San Juan, PR
Wyndam Las Casitas Luxury Resort
Las Croabas, PR (Fajardo area)
Courtyard by Marriot
San Juan, PR
Embassy Suites
San Juan, PR
The Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort
Rio Grande, PR
Hotel El Convento
San Juan, PR
800-468-2779
Caribbean Feedback: Dude vacations in the caribean are made for making infants,, not taking infants
Caribbean Feedback: You could try Barbados.
Hilton Barbados is one of the kid friendly hotels, which is right near the beach. You could use the babysitting service, maybe this hotel offers for free, I do not remember. Try the supermarket to get the stuff for the baby. Or better yet bring enough into your checked in luggage for the trip.
The best bet is talk to your doctor about the shots, especially for the baby. You must use insect repellent especially the baby needs that, too, but again, best to talk to doctor/pharmacist about that.
Barbados offers food that’s a bit different of taste, ranging from flying fish, chicken is popular there but heard prices are rising.
Do the groceries if you plan to get a kitchette in the room and/or if you’re picky about food.
Otherwise, I love The Coach House — food is delicious.
Other websites you can check out:
Hope this helps.
Caribbean Feedback: You have this family-oriented resort in Jamaica called Starfish. I went there about 2 years ago. Its really fun and they have a lot of family centered activities. I think they also have a nanny service where you can leave the kid with a nanny. There are resorts that offer nanny service so you may want to check them out.
I have a 2 year old son and my husband and I have been traveling with him since he was 6 months old. No need to listen to everyone telling you to leave them at home. There are tons of family friendly resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico. We are planning a trip to the FDR Resort in Jamaica where they actually assign you a “vacation nanny” for the duration of your stay! There are several resorts that offer child care for infants. This way, you can still spend time with them and have a blast but can leave them with competent people if you and you loved one wants to be alone or if you just want to read a book and not have to chase after them.
Some resorts worth looking into are:
FDR Resorts & FDR Pebbles in Jamaica
Beaches Resorts in Caribbean
Club Med Resorts worldwide.
You can also look into a cruise. Carnival and Disney have awesome kids programs with nurserys for the smallest guests. Take a look around and don’t feel defeated. You will definitely find something that will fit your family style and budget. Good luck and have fun!