Baby & toddler essentials in Majorca; Formula, Food, Nappies and Other Necessities

Breastfeeding Your Baby in Majorca

If you are breastfeeding you will have no problem feeding your baby publically while in Majorca. Make sure you stay hydrated and eat well when breastfeeding in the heat.

Powdered Formula in Majorca

For formula fed babies, the quality of the water varies from place to place so it is definitely safer to use bottled water to feed your baby and your toddler. For babies under 6 months the bottled water should be boiled as it is not sterilized. When purchasing bottled water make sure you buy a brand with a low mineral and sodium content as these can cause stomach upsets. Evian, 5 Fuentes and Font Vella are both available in Majorca and have a low mineral and sodium content.

Small bottles of ready made formula are available to purchase from Boots, tesco and most large supermarkets in the UK and Ireland. These are very useful for the plane and remember to bring enough to cover any delays that may occur.

You may not be able to get the formula that you are used to in your resort so it is always safer to bring formula from home. Mostly Spanish brands will be available from supermarkets and pharmacies.

You can buy Milupa which is the same brand as Aptamil and Hipp organic formula (available in Carrefour) in some supermarkets and pharmacies however, it may taste slightly different to what your child is used to. If your child is fussy or you are unsure of the brand you would be better off bringing formula with you. You can purchase formula online from Boots and collect it at some airports in the UK and Ireland after checking in. This is a good option if you do not want to carry everything with you through the airport. Just ensure that your airlines policy allows you to carry products purchased at the airport onto the flight.

Baby Food in Majorca

Many of the larger ‘hypermarkets’, such as Carrefour (located in Palma, Porto Pi and Col D’en Rabassa), Hiper Centro (located throughout the island), Lidl and Mercadona sell organic and non organic baby foods. Be aware that many of the local or Spanish brands contain small amounts of sugar or salt and some travellers warn that the quality of the food is different and not as palatable to babies and toddlers. Pureed food and yoghurt should be available in most stores and these are generally the same quality as at home. Carrefour stocks Hipp Organic baby food and formula but the selection of products may be different to what your child is used to.

There are many British stores in Majorca and these will stock many of the baby products that you are used to. Little Britain British Supermarket in Alcudia stocks Heinz, Cow and Gate and Farley’s. You will be paying more here for the products that your child is used to than at home. A better option is to take a small amount of the baby food that you trust with you and then cook homemade food at your accommodation, if possible. There is a wide variety of fresh food, veg and meat available in most larger supermarkets and you will be able to find everything you need to cook.

There are plenty of baby and toddler friendly restaurants in Majorca and the main tourist resorts are used to catering to families with young children. Most hotels will offer high chairs in the restaurants and many of the local eateries will also have them. if you are going to be travelling off the beaten track or are would like more flexibility in where you eat you can bring a fold away highchair. These are suitable for babies over 6 months or that can sit up on their own.

Sterilizing

Sterilizer bags are great for holidays and are small enough to pack. Another option is to bring sterilising tablets or microwavable steriliser bags if you will be staying in self-catering accommodation. Click here for information on sterilizing abroad.

Nappies and Changing Facilities

Nappies are widely available in supermarkets and pharmacies as well as baby bottles. ‘Dadot’ are the same as pampers and Huggies are also available. Remember that In the resorts you could be paying up to €13.00 for a dozen nappies so you might buy nappies in the supermarkets where they are cheaper.

There will not be a lot of baby changing facilities in Majorca outside of the department stores and some of the larger hotels so make sure you bring a fold away changing mat.

Renting Baby Equipment in Majorca

Travelling light with a baby may seem impossible until you find Multi-Hire. As the name suggests, you can hire a multitude of things to make your journey easier. Multi Hire arranges delivery of equipment to your accommodation or to the airport, for a nominal fee, or you can collect in person from their shop in Puerto Pollensa, from 09:00 to 20:00, Sundays 10:00 to 14:00.

Items for hire include:

Cots (travel and wooden)
Highchairs, pushchairs (buggy’s, strollers, carrycot and wheels)
Clip-on fans for pushchairs and parasols
Sterilisers (steam, microwave, cold water)
Bottle preparation Units
Baby walkers
Jumperoos
Toy bags
Baby monitors
Baby changing units (fold up)
Walking backpacks
UV sun tents
Cot sheets
Bouncing chairs
Car seats (from birth to boosters, and ISO FIX)

All of the equipment is hygienically cleaned after every rental.

You can also rent mini fridges and kettles, portable air conditioners, fans, etc. If you want to explore the area by bike , Multi Hire also rent bikes with child seats and tagalong buggies for 1 or 2 kids along with kids bikes, electric bikes, mountain, trek and city bikes.

If you are staying in self catering accommodation, Multi Hire arranges for delivery of a food pack to your accommodation so that the initial requirements on arrival are already there. This is very handy when you have tired toddlers or hungry babies.

Health & Wellbeing

Sun Protection

Ensure that you bring sunblock for babies older than 6 months and for toddlers (Factor 30 +). Many brands of sun block cannot be used on babies under the age of 6 months and therefore it is important to ensure that their skin is protected by keeping them away from direct sunlight and using UV protected clothing

Update: Garnier Ambre Solaire has now produced a sunblock for babies in the shade which is available at Tesco and is suitable for use on younger babies however, even with this on they should still be kept in the shade or in a UV sun tent as their skin is highly sensitive.

It is better to buy swimwear with long sleeves as this will protect your baby from the sun while in the water. Make sure that you also bring a sun hat for your baby as their heads can burn very quickly. A parasol will assist in keeping the sun off your baby’s skin and certain brands can be attached to your baby’s stroller or pram. You can also buy a stroller shade which provides more coverage and protection. Remember to use sun umbrellas at the beach and by the pool if they are available and to encourage toddlers to play in the shade (if possible). A UV protected small sun tent can be purchased for babies to sit or lie in on the beach.

Insect Protection

Mosquitos on the island of Majorca do not carry malaria but a bite can cause an unpleasant reaction. Seek medical advice if an insect bite causes swelling, bruising or persistent pain. Mosquito repellent, a mosquito patch or mosquito bracelet and a mosquito net are a must in Majorca, especially if your baby is going to be out in the evenings. Many restaurants and markets are outdoors and the risk of being bitten is higher.

Travel Safety

Taxis in Majorca will have a seat belt in the back if you plan to bring your own car seat however this may be cumbersome and you can also arrange to hire a taxi with a car seat (See ‘About’).

Hotel Baby Sitting Services

Using a babysitter abroad would not be for everyone but it is your decision. Most good hotels in Majorca will offer babysitting services with experienced babysitters however they tend to be quite expensive. For information on using babysitting services when abroad and a checklist of questions to ask a babysitter click here.

Travel Insurance

If travelling from the UK and Ireland you should ensure that you and each family member travelling has either the European Health Insurance Card or private health insurance. Irish residents can apply for the card at http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/EHIC/ and UK residents can apply at www.gov.uk . This card allows you to get any health care covered by the public health system in Majorca. If you have previously applied for a card make sure that it is in date before you travel. Travel insurance should be taken out if you are covered by private healthcare however check your policy as it may offer you some cover while overseas.

Emergency Numbers

The European Emergency number is 112 where you will get English speaking operators who can direct your call to the appropriate emergency response services.

Pharmacies

Most pharmacists speak English well and if your child is unwell they may be able to direct you to a doctor or hospital.

Consular Services

Contact your consular service or embassy if you have been a victim of crime, arrested on suspicion of committing a crime, if you or anyone in your family has a serious illness, experience the unexpected death of a partner or spouse and for help with repatriation after a crisis. Consular offices also provide help in the case of a lost or stolen passport.