While you’re packing your own stuff, don’t forget to take all the essentials for this little guy
Do you remember the first time you took your toddler on holiday? I guess there must have been something you forgot to take with you. I must confess from my own personal experience, I needed to buy a bucket and spade when we took our two toddlers on the beach. Also, our daughter slept better when she had her little rabbit toy with her. It gave her great comfort. Well, here’s a checklist of things that may help you make things better second-time round.
A good starting point is a car baby seat that you can take with you onto a plane. But don’t take your toddler on a seven-hour flight as they might end up crying all the way. A two-hour flight might be your best option. Once you get there, you don’t want your toddler running wild, so get them all strapped up in a pushchair that is up for the task. It will keep junior out of mischief and if you have a collapsible pushchair, it will be easy to handle. When you’re out sightseeing, the roads will be bumpy, so make sure your pushchair is sturdy. Safety is of prime concern, therefore a good harness is preferable, and the one below offers you a good sun canopy and carry bag.
A BIT COLD?
You might find that even in hot countries, the evenings can get a bit chilly, so a blanket or two is always advisable to keep your toddler warm and comfortable.
For the very little ones, a sling where the baby can be held safely for getting about quickly is a must, or a baby carrier if you are walking up a hill or taking long walks on cobbled streets.
If you are heading for a warm climate as most people would, make sure your precious things get clothed in long trousers and long-sleeved tops and dresses, to protect them from the sun. Clothes for hot weather and those for colder evenings are important things to consider. And don’t forget to take a few sets of pyjamas if things get messy in bed or at breakfast time.
HATS ON FOR SUMMER
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, your baby will need to look cute on holiday and nothing beats a beanie hat. Not only are they comfortable but they come in lots of colours and are hand washable.
Hats will offer protection from the sun, but so will a good amount of sunscreen. A factor of 15 should protect your toddler – but if it’s a baby – best keep them out of the sun. If the baby or toddler starts to cry during your long journey, it’s always good to bring with you their favourite cuddly toy.
If you need to breastfeed then consider a shawl. This gives you privacy, particularly if you are out and about or sitting on a plane or train. Another plan is to bring bottled milk. If that is the case, you will also need ready-made formula milk, teats, bibs, beakers, extra bottles, sterilizing equipment, a plastic bag for dirty items, and a bottle warmer. Babies and toddlers are prone to not want to try any new foods that might come their way on holiday, so self-catering might be a good idea. To feed our hungry mites, my wife would liquidize foods such as spinach and pasta and put them into cubes to freeze. Come breakfast time, they were taken out, defrosted and warmed up. For toddlers it was fish fingers as a meal and fruit for afters. Snacks such as rice cakes and bread sticks also worked.
ENDLESS SUPPLY OF NAPPIES
Take a good supply of nappies. You may also need wipes, nappy rash cream, nappy bags, and a travel changing mat for when you are out and about. If you’re worried about not being able to buy them at your holiday destination, you may want to take enough for the entire trip. If you are in a foreign country, labels might be difficult to understand, and you could end up buying the wrong thing.
PILLOW FOR BEDDY BYES
A plug for any plughole to turn a basin into a bath is needed if the toddler gets too mucky. Include shampoo, lotion, sponge and baby wash in your checklist. If the hotel doesn’t provide one, you may have to bring a travel cot. Once tucked up in bed, have a plug adaptor set up for the baby monitor, and check that your first-aid-box is close to hand in case the baby can’t sleep due to colic or high temperature. A pillow from home may be necessary to get them to beddy byes. Keep a list of emergency contact numbers and insurance helplines. Once the little one is safely tucked up in bed, treat yourself and your partner after a tiring day by cracking open a bottle of wine to unwind.
Lastly don’t forget to use your top of the range iPhone to record those treasured moments. Enjoy your holiday and do send us a postcard message how it went and if we helped.
CHECKLIST
- CAR BABY SEAT FOR THE PLANE
- COUPLE OF BLANKETS
- PUSHCHAIR, SLING, BABY CARRIER
- WARM CLOTHES, SHAWL, BEANIE HAT
- EXTRA BOTTLE, FORMULA MILK, TEATS, BIBS
- STERLIZING EQUIPMENT, BOTTLE WARMER
- HOMEMADE MEALS, SNACKS
- NAPPIES, WIPES, NAPPY BAGS
- NAPPY RASH CREAM,
- TRAVEL CHANGING MAT
- BATH PLUG, SHAMPOO
- LOTION, SPONGE, BABY WASH
- TRAVEL COT, PILLOW
- PLUG ADAPTOR, BABY MONITOR
- FIRST-AID KIT
- FAVOURITE TOY
- PHONE