[Jo Jo]

My sister is coming over to visit in 6 weeks time (hurray!) and has asked me if Farleys or SMA formula are available here. I have had a look in our local chemist and couldn't see those brands, but wondered if they are sold anywhere else, either online or in Auckland? Or are other brands the same as those?

Thanks,

Jo Jo

[Kiwi-In-Texas]

Can't help with Farley's Formula but you should be able to purchase SMA in
either a pharmacy or supermarket.
My son was on SMA Formula, mind you that was a few years ago now.

Hope this helps,

Suzanne.

[jubjub]

I have a feeling I have seen SMA somewhere... will try and keep an eye out next time I am in baby aisle, the main brands here are Karicare, Heinz Nurture, and SC26.

If I were her I would bring enough to last me for the visit, or if she is going to be here a while, look at the above brands and see which is the nearest in terms of ingredients and wean baby onto that for a couple of weeks or so.

[jubjub]

Just had a bit of a google.... SMA is made by the same people that make SC26 (Wyeth) so that might be the best alternative formula.

Edited... you can get the starter formula from Foodtown online http://www.foodtown.co.nz/HomeShopping/Shop.aspx?Target=BrowseAisles but that only helps if her baby is under 6 months!

[Jo Jo]

Super, thank you both.

If I were her I would bring enough to last me for the visit, or if she is going to be here a while, look at the above brands and see which is the nearest in terms of ingredients and wean baby onto that for a couple of weeks or so.

Yes, she's thinking about doing that, but I thought I'd see if the same was available here. I'll send her the details of the brands you've mentioned, though - I don't think he's a particularly fussy baby so if she can save the space of 3 tins of formula for something else that would be super. I'm thinking of asking her to bring things for me instead.... Oooh, maybe I'll just tell her it's available here so she has extra space for my stuff then act all surprised when we can't find it. *evil grin*

[jubjub]

Oooh, three tins of formula do take up a bit of space,. I wonder how much choc she could squeeze into that space if it were empty???

[Familyofmonkeys]

We have a friend who should be visiting sometime soon with a baby and a toddler. Haven't got a clue about formula myself. What equipment should we have in the house to make some up? How much is a tin & how long does it last?

[Tia Maria]

Oooh, maybe I'll just tell her it's available here so she has extra space for my stuff then act all surprised when we can't find it. *evil grin*

:laugh I don't think you have any choice - this is what any reasonable person would do! As Jub jub says, 3 tins sure would equal a lot of chocolate!

If she does try out the NZ ones it might be worth checking out the ones that do single sachets also, as these will be good for the flight back.

Cheers

Tia

[Jo Jo]

We have a friend who should be visiting sometime soon with a baby and a toddler. Haven't got a clue about formula myself. What equipment should we have in the house to make some up? How much is a tin & how long does it last?

It depends on the age of the child - under a certain age the bottles need to be sterilised, but over a certain age they can just be put in the dishwasher... sadly I can't remember the age. But that's all you need - bottles, and maybe a steriliser. The tins of formula come with their own scoops, usually.

I don't know how long a tin of formula lasts, either, I'm afraid. My nephew will be 9 months old when they come here, and my sister reckons she needs three tins for three weeks.

[Jo Jo]

:laugh I don't think you have any choice - this is what any reasonable person would do! As Jub jub says, 3 tins sure would equal a lot of chocolate!

If she does try out the NZ ones it might be worth checking out the ones that do single sachets also, as these will be good for the flight back.

Cheers

Tia

:laugh

Thanks for the tip re sachets - I'll look out for those.

[nippa&pippa]

As along the tins is NOT open beforehand or otherwise customs at airport won't let it pass, even if it store in suitcases. Just declare it on the custom's form "baby's milk" ;)

[Tia Maria]

Yes roughly a tin a week, cost can vary greatly depending on what type the baby needs (about $17 to $32 a tin). My son had deigestive problens and had to start out on one of the more expensive formulas but as he grew out of it the $17 tins were fine.

You normally sterilise bottles up to 1 year, you can often pick up a good bargain on trade me (as they are sterilisers they are normally clean, but you can buy sachets of cleaning stuff for sterilisers if you are unsure).

Check if she does 4 or 6 bottles at a time as they come in differnt sizes. Microwave ones are good unless you use the microwave a lot, plug in ones are good unless you don't have much counter space. Make sure you get the teat tongs with it. If she's staying in any hotels on her trip she might want to think about which would suit her.

If you do end up buying a new one, you will be able to sell it on Trade Me easily, so keep all packaging. Check what type of bottles she is bringing so you can make sure the brand fits in the steriliser.

If you don't have a dishwasher then get a bottle brush for cleaning bottles and teats (find these in baby shops and some chemists). If you do have a dishwasher then something to keep all the bits in is a good idea.

Hope that helps!

Tia

[nippa&pippa]

Just been to my local New World to get my eldest son's night nappies when I spotted SMA formula milk :clap so yes SMA is available in NZ.

Other things, I just remember that might help you, FOM, is ask your friend to pop into Tesco as they sell little travel sterliser, look like a white lunchbox, found in baby section. I tried to remember how much I paid for mine, maybe £5-8. I used it during reccie trip to NZ :nice1 Best thing the box doesn't weight much and doesn't take room in suitcase after I filled the box full of little things like sock, pants etc. They take just two bottle a time and they can be used in microwaves or cold water solution type. I left it with my sister in auckland when I went back to UK and I tried to see if she still got it, so you can borrow it via post to you but still waiting for her reply back.

[Familyofmonkeys]

Just been to my local New World to get my eldest son's night nappies when I spotted SMA formula milk so yes SMA is available in NZ.

Other things, I just remember that might help you, FOM, is ask your friend to pop into Tesco as they sell little travel sterliser, look like a white lunchbox, found in baby section. I tried to remember how much I paid for mine, maybe £5-8. I used it during reccie trip to NZ :nice1 Best thing the box doesn't weight much and doesn't take room in suitcase after I filled the box full of little things like sock, pants etc. They take just two bottle a time and they can be used in microwaves or cold water solution type. I left it with my sister in auckland when I went back to UK and I tried to see if she still got it, so you can borrow it via post to you but still waiting for her reply back.

Thanks Sophia :nice1
She just got quotes for her flights (was planning on visiting around easter) and it was best part of £3000 return for all 4 of them :wah
The youngest will be 1 in June so I think I am going to suggest that she travels spring time later in the year rather than Autumn. Her oldest is not 2 until late November, so as long as they visit before then, aparently the cost is lower as both kids still classed as infants? Also hoping by later in the year her older one might be sleeping in a bed as I just realised we would need to find 2 cots otherwise, and we only have one travel cot and my youngest is still in his cot. Don't think he will be ready for bed on 1st birthday like other two......he not walking yet :o

[Tia Maria]

Other things, I just remember that might help you, FOM, is ask your friend to pop into Tesco as they sell little travel sterliser, look like a white lunchbox, found in baby section. I tried to remember how much I paid for mine, maybe £5-8. I used it during reccie trip to NZ :nice1 Best thing the box doesn't weight much and doesn't take room in suitcase after I filled the box full of little things like sock, pants etc. They take just two bottle a time and they can be used in microwaves or cold water solution type. I left it with my sister in auckland when I went back to UK and I tried to see if she still got it, so you can borrow it via post to you but still waiting for her reply back.

Yes, good tip! :nice1 I used one of these to sterilise my bottles while in the transit hotel, or even easier splash out on these (pretty sure they sold them in Boots):

www.steribottle.co.uk/index.html

They can leak a bit but you can just throw them away as you go along, so it slowly empties out your flight bag.

Cheers

Tia

[nippa&pippa]

Her oldest is not 2 until late November, so as long as they visit before then, aparently the cost is lower as both kids still classed as infants?

infant is 0-2years old, so yes it will be cheaper before november, however, if your friend travelling on her own without another adult, then she will have to pay for a seat for her oldest because can't have two infant on her lap. (I managed to find out about this cos I want to go to Auckland to see my sister with my two youngest, both under 2)

[Familyofmonkeys]

infant is 0-2years old, so yes it will be cheaper before november, however, if your friend travelling on her own without another adult, then she will have to pay for a seat for her oldest because can't have two infant on her lap. (I managed to find out about this cos I want to go to Auckland to see my sister with my two youngest, both under 2)

Luckily whole family supposed to visit. Mind you, I seem to remember reading somewhere that children over 15 months are not always guaranteed a sky cot. It seems rather a long time to go, without having another seat to put the oldest child in! Think I might mention it to them!

[nippa&pippa]

it is depend on weight of child, not age of child, for skycot. I agree with you it is long journey for child to sit on lap, but if they going to book skycot for youngest, usually there is huge space at bulkhead areas for oldest child to sit and sleep on the floor? I recall my eldest playing and sleep on the floor while my middle was asleep in the skycot.

[Familyofmonkeys]

infant is 0-2years old, so yes it will be cheaper before november, however, if your friend travelling on her own without another adult, then she will have to pay for a seat for her oldest because can't have two infant on her lap. (I managed to find out about this cos I want to go to Auckland to see my sister with my two youngest, both under 2)

When are you going to be in Auckland? I have travel cot if you want to borrow it...seem to remember your sister is not too far away from here :)

[Tia Maria]

We've always been told you are never guaranteed a sky cot and if there are more babies than cots then it goes to the youngest as priority.

We were a bit miffed on one of our flights as we were told there were no bulk head seats available, we had booked a seat for our baby (with car seat), but wanted a sky cot so he could lie flat. We accepted this as we thought there must be a lot of younger babies - fair enough. But when we got on loads of the bulk head seats were taken by those without babies. So if this happens then ask them to check whether those seats are taken by those travelling with babies, in theory they should get priority.

Cheers

Tia

[nippa&pippa]

When are you going to be in Auckland? I have travel cot if you want to borrow it...seem to remember your sister is not too far away from here :)

Oh that will be helpful, Iona :nice1 plan to go up in april's first week of school holiday for a week..need to book flight asap while still cheap :o

[nippa&pippa]

But when we got on loads of the bulk head seats were taken by those without babies. So if this happens then ask them to check whether those seats are taken by those travelling with babies, in theory they should get priority.


:yes When we were on way to NZ from dubai, the family with baby was placed behind me was shocked to find two men sitting in bulkhead areas next to me (I was in middle part), so they asked air stewardress for this men to swapped with them as they got 4months old baby as they have priority. But one of the men refused..result in flight delay while he moaned, because the baby does have top priority over men want "long leg room"...after 30mins, men did move in the end and family got the bulkhead areas :clap

I also did the same thing on way to UK that family of five sitting in the bulkhead but the baby (more likely toddler!!) was clearly too big for skycot, so we asked for whole family to swap over with us plus a stranger who was sitting next to my OH as they refused to break whole family up. I think stranger was pleased to be swap over as she gained more leg room :laugh

[Familyofmonkeys]

Oh that will be helpful, Iona :nice1 plan to go up in april's first week of school holiday for a week..need to book flight asap while still cheap :o

PM me nearer the time to remind me, and we'll arrange something for you :nice1

[Jo Jo]

Just an update - we found the SMA in our local supermarket in the end. Apparently there was a shortage of it in our area over the summer holidays, and they only restocked a couple of weeks ago. My sister used the NZ SMA for the first time today, and, luckily, decided to check the instructions on the tin before making up the bottle - the ratio of formula to water varies slightly between the UK and NZ, so it's a good job she checked.