Camino with a formula fed baby

[KDoe]

Hello! We're doing 10 days with our will be 7 month old this June. I'm trying to get my head around traveling with her essentials, nappies, wipes and most importantly milk! Does anyone have any experience or tips on packing for a formula fed baby? Do you carry it all? Can you buy it easily along the route? Post packages to next destination? Any advice welcome!

 

[donalomahony]

Spain is a first world country with a supermarket in any reasonably sized town.

Formula is available in all supermarkets.

Have seen a number of families with babies on the Camino. You will be taken under the wings of many, especially the locals.

Enjoy...

 

[mspath]

This much earlier but still valid thread
has useful info and links re taking a baby on a camino.

 

[Former member 92300]

Hello! We're doing 10 days with our will be 7 month old this June. I'm trying to get my head around traveling with her essentials, nappies, wipes and most importantly milk! Does anyone have any experience or tips on packing for a formula fed baby? Do you carry it all? Can you buy it easily along the route? Post packages to next destination? Any advice welcome!

Hello,
First - let me say - I think it is great you are trying to go even though you have a baby. I have seen many people try to discourage families with small children - but if you do your research there is no reason why you can't do this! I wouldn't have been brave enough to do this type of journey when my children were small - but now I wish I had done more with them (My last baby just turned 18). I did see 1 family with a small baby and a mother with a boy who appeared to be about 4 on my Camino.

If hiking on the Camino Frances - you will come across towns frequently and all the towns or very nearby towns will have all the essentials of living - grocery stores with baby supplies are all over. That said - I think your biggest challenge will be to time your trips to the smaller markets. I kept going through towns when the smaller markets were closed. It drove me crazy. So - my recommendation is to have enough formula and diapers for 4-5 days at a time. Each time you get to a bigger town - resupply in those bigger towns. If you do that, you will be fine. Or - just get 4-5 days supplies each time you pass a market that IS open. It would help if you have a jogging stroller (by itself or in addition to a baby carrying backpack) because then you could store the extra formula/diapers etc in the jogging stroller and not carry on your backs. I say jogging stroller - because if bringing a stroller - you really need the bicycle size tires to get through the various terrains. There will be some places that are more challenging with any stroller though - so be aware.

I personally don't recommend mailing packages - as I found the post offices are always closed when I pass through towns. I don't know - my timing for small grocery stores and post offices is always terrible. That said - you could also do luggage transport between your starting/stopping points.

Also - consider where you plan to stay. Are you planning on private rooms? Because fear of a crying baby seems to be the biggest complaint I see when I see people tell young families they shouldn't do something like this. Wouldn't bother me (as long as it wasn't all night every night) - but there are many who might tell you not to do a Camino for that reason. They may have additional reasons for thinking you shouldn't do a Camino with your baby - but again - do your research and plan according to your babies needs and you (and the baby) will be fine!

 

[KDoe]

Hello,
First - let me say - I think it is great you are trying to go even though you have a baby. I have seen many people try to discourage families with small children - but if you do your research there is no reason why you can't do this! I wouldn't have been brave enough to do this type of journey when my children were small - but now I wish I had done more with them (My last baby just turned 18). I did see 1 family with a small baby and a mother with a boy who appeared to be about 4 on my Camino.

If hiking on the Camino Frances - you will come across towns frequently and all the towns or very nearby towns will have all the essentials of living - grocery stores with baby supplies are all over. That said - I think your biggest challenge will be to time your trips to the smaller markets. I kept going through towns when the smaller markets were closed. It drove me crazy. So - my recommendation is to have enough formula and diapers for 4-5 days at a time. Each time you get to a bigger town - resupply in those bigger towns. If you do that, you will be fine. Or - just get 4-5 days supplies each time you pass a market that IS open. It would help if you have a jogging stroller (by itself or in addition to a baby carrying backpack) because then you could store the extra formula/diapers etc in the jogging stroller and not carry on your backs. I say jogging stroller - because if bringing a stroller - you really need the bicycle size tires to get through the various terrains. There will be some places that are more challenging with any stroller though - so be aware.

I personally don't recommend mailing packages - as I found the post offices are always closed when I pass through towns. I don't know - my timing for small grocery stores and post offices is always terrible. That said - you could also do luggage transport between your starting/stopping points.

Also - consider where you plan to stay. Are you planning on private rooms? Because fear of a crying baby seems to be the biggest complaint I see when I see people tell young families they shouldn't do something like this. Wouldn't bother me (as long as it wasn't all night every night) - but there are many who might tell you not to do a Camino for that reason. They may have additional reasons for thinking you shouldn't do a Camino with your baby - but again - do your research and plan according to your babies needs and you (and the baby) will be fine!

Thanks so much for your detailed reply, much appreciated. My husband has booked a private room for us in a hotel for each night already, so that is all sorted. It's great to hear that we will pass through many towns, I think when ever we pass somewhere with the essentials we will stock up providing we have space to carry.

We are still undecided whether to use the backpack carrier or a three wheel stroller. I am leaning towards the stroller for the reasons you mentioned and also during the evening's she's has someone to sit/sleep if we're out having some dinner. Would you say thelat the stroller will be ok on the terrain on the Camino Frances route? Thanks.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Thanks so much for your detailed reply, much appreciated. My husband has booked a private room for us in a hotel for each night already, so that is all sorted. It's great to hear that we will pass through many towns, I think when ever we pass somewhere with the essentials we will stock up providing we have space to carry.

We are still undecided whether to use the backpack carrier or a three wheel stroller. I am leaning towards the stroller for the reasons you mentioned and also during the evening's she's has someone to sit/sleep if we're out having some dinner. Would you say thelat the stroller will be ok on the terrain on the Camino Frances route? Thanks.

Here is a photo-heavy post on the terrain of the Camino that shows many if not most of the stages. It might help you decide:

Camino Terrain