2010 St barts Trip Report: Bringing The Baby To St Barts

Hello All!
Just returned from another week in paradise with our newest family member: baby Pearl, now 8 months! In December, we were in St. Barths for three weeks with her at three months.

Just wanted to report on a few things that other parents may be intersted in:

7.5 Months was far better for us with Pearl than 3 months - mainly because we could use suntan lotion and bug spray -- which allowed us for a bit more flexibility with what we wanted to do every day. Also -- Pearl was much more able to entertain herself this trip than last, which menat restaurants were less hectic.

The best thing we brought with us was a BIG fold and zip up picnic blanket that we opened on the deck of our villa every day and sat the babies on (we also traveled with friends with a 6 month old) with their toys. We also brought it to the beach and, being three times as large as a beach towel, it really helped keep mounds of sand out of Pearl's hands, hair, etc.

We also brought a blow up intertube with two holes for feet. It was great in the pool and both babies LOVED it. We also brought it into the shower and popped Pearl in it and hosed her down.

Another great beach (other than cul de sac, lorient and st jean) is anse de cayes for babies. It has a little break of the beach that allows for very small waves to just roll onto the shore. We stayed in that neighborhood and it was great to walk to the beach each night.

We loved going to Carl Gustaf for sunset. Pearl loved the confy couches with the very bright and colorful pillows. As long as she was quiet and didn't disturb other people, we hung out and watched the sunset.

I brought formula from NY -- I opened it the first night there and the second day I went to fill a bottle and found it full of ANTS! I went to the grocery to find formula and they didn't have any for 6 months to 1 year (but they did have other ages) - so I went to the pharmacy near the airport and asked the pharmacist for it -- of course, the pharma had it!

I cooked 98% of Pearl's food while on the island. I cook all her food at home, so I tried my best to do it there. I brought with me a hand crank plastic food mill and my villa had a blender (which was also used for making MANY pina coladas). She ate sweet potatos, beets, bananas, kiwis, pears, melons, avocados, squash, carrots, zucchini, and frozen peas and corn. The food mill was OK -- you really have to cook your veg until it is mushy (and could probably be fork mashed). Blender worked well!

We took her to whatever restaurants we wanted to eat at. We don't eat super fancy outside of the house in St. barths - so our picks were Le Piment, Andy's, Bouchon, O'Corrail, the new Colocoba (maybe the return of La Gloriette), Wall House several times, Creperie, Select, Banannieres (which I think is the most underrated restaurant on the island -- LOVE the food there and it's relatively reasonably priced). Most places had baby chairs -- some were too big for Pearl. Some also didn't have straps to strap her in. We thought about bringing one of those collapsable chairs that screw onto the table, and it probably would have been a good idea.

As for baby sitters -- We used Caroline and Kids and had a WONDERFUL woman named Karine Montigny. She was excellent. I think for two kids it was 18 euros before 9 PM and 22 after. Not bad for us, since we split it between two families.

Pearl never got overheated, though sometimes when she was sweaty, we brought her into the AC in the bedroom to 'cool off' or into the pool. She did get a bunch of mosquito bites -- but they didn't seem to bother her.

Non baby item - the sales were OFF THE HOOK! This is only the second time that I've been on island for them -- and both times were amazing! For me - Calypso is great. 1500 euro lucian pellat finet sweaters for 150 euros. Nice discount. Also, lolita jaca had a great sale, as did christianne celle. Cute things for baby at petite bateau. If you haven't been -- check out the Sweedish Design Store and the home store next door - very cool things.

All in - another GREAT trip! I hope to go back in again this Dec, but we'll see...if I have my druthers...

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