Pia or Ruth or ANYONE hitting Starfish soon...

[flip-flop]

I am wondering if you can do a check for me in the baby aisle and let me know if they sell Similac Alimentum formula. Its a long shot but if they sell it, we'd be saved the hassle of bringing 10 quarts with us!

[Pia]

I'll check for you, along with the cost, but it probably wont be until Wednesday if that's OK.

Just one thing to keep in mind is that just because they have it now dosen't mean they will have it when you need it - you would like to think they will but who knows.

Have you thought about shipping some down? You can get the flat rate boxes for $8.10 (I think) and regardless of weight that is the price.

Now, I don't know anything about baby formula/food but if it is powder you can double zip lock bag it (I am assuming it comes in tins) and you can get a huge amount in those Flat Rate Priority Mail boxes wouldn't suggest it if it is liquid (that's a joke everyone )

Just a thought - I'll report back

Pia

[flip-flop]

Pia - I am not leaving for 2 months so Wednesday is fine. I am pretty sure the answer will be no, but its worth a shot. I am looking for the liquid quarts. You'd think the powder is the same but its not. I may have to figure out how to get the munchkin to take it though over the next two months, but messing w/ his system before or during a trip is not sounding like a plan.

Its almost $10/quart here, so I would be very curious as to how much it is there. I wonder if they would have it on St. Thomas. We are overnighting the first night there ... might be worth a cab ride to save the hassle of packing it and worrying about it exploding. The issue with shipping or even packing it is that you aren't supposed to expose it to extreme temps.

[STTT Resident]

flip-flop: Pia is absolutely right - even if it IS available here right now, either on STJ or STT, your best bet is to ship it in advance because although it MIGHT be here when you reach, it just might not be, so save yourself the stress.

One of the first lessons to be learned here by transplants is that, "you can't always get what you want, but if you try..." which would be a great song if just someone could get it together. Simple staples can go AWOL so you learn to stock up when you see them - and you DON'T plan a fantastic dinner down to the last detail unless the ingredients are right there in your home as you plan.

So, where your munchkin/sprog is concerned, I'd make arrangements to ship down the formula beforetime. A potentially diahrretic infant does not a good vacation make. If you're staying in a villa you could have the shipment sent to the villa's management company or I gather that "Connections" on STJ will work with you on advance shipments for a reasonable fee.

Back to you, Pia! Cheers!

[flip-flop]

I would ship it in a heartbeat if it wasn't for the fear of it sitting on a hot truck/dock somewhere getting yucky. It doesn't have to be refrigerated but it is not supposed to be exposed to extreme temps. I am thinking I will have to try to get the little pumpkin to take the powdered version of the same formula. Would be a LOT less hassle but I better get started now. Kids I tell ya!

[RickG]

Similac Alimentum is a pretty obscure product... I took a case of Similac ready-to-feed as checked luggage on the flight to STT when my little one was 5 months old. I just taped the seams of the case with packing tape and it came through without a problem. I also brought a ton of baby food. I was afraid she was going to ruin the trip if we changed anything. It turned out not to be a problem at all.

Now she's 10 years old and can carry her own luggage. Yay!

Cheers, RickG

[flip-flop]

Similac Alimentum is a pretty obscure product... I took a case of Similac ready-to-feed as checked luggage on the flight to STT when my little one was 5 months old. I just taped the seams of the case with packing tape and it came through without a problem. I also brought a ton of baby food. I was afraid she was going to ruin the trip if we changed anything. It turned out not to be a problem at all.

Now she's 10 years old and can carry her own luggage. Yay!

Cheers, RickG

Thanks RickG - Did you take quarts or cans? I've used the cans before and even those are a bit different. He's not fussy at all as long as food is involved, so I am probably OVER FREAKING OUT about it. We have 4 adults coming so if each one stows 2 quarts in their bag somehow we are almost there. I am thinking we'll need 10 to be safe. A hungry Max is an unhappy Max if you know what I mean!

[RickG]

Thanks RickG - Did you take quarts or cans? I've used the cans before and even those are a bit different.

Well, back in the day it was 24 oz ready-mix cans - ready-mix works better on the beach ya know! I'd try to keep the wee lad on EXACTLY what he's accustomed to.

God, I can't believe that I still have that packing list from 1997 on my computer! What a flashback.

Cheers, RickG