Hand baggage only with a toddler?

[mockorangey]

Just looking for some advice as we haven't flown on a budget airline for years. Just about to book flights with Easyjet for me, DH, DS (4) and DD(1). Our allowance is 3 cabin bags, but we could purchase a hold-bag (23 kg) for £50. I can't quite envision whether our stuff could fit into 3 cabin bags or not. Any thoughts? It's for 6 nights in the Italian Lakes at half term.

In addition to the cabin bags, we can also take a changing bag onboard for DD.

Are you taking any baby items (think you usually get 2-3 pieces, eg travel cot, buggy) - if so you can pad out the bags for these with nappies etc and save space?
Unless you don't get baby items in EasyJet

Do you need to take anything bulky like nappies or anything that can't be taken in to the cabin like liquids? If you do then a hold bag is easier.

We sometimes book one for extras like the travel cot thicket mattress we have even if using the hotels travel cot. Also nappies and wipes (can always find them at the destination but rarely as cheap and never the brand I prefer).

Have a great holiday.

Taking a pram but I can't really attach anything to it.

We will be taking nappies and wipes unless we buy them there. Otherwise it's mainly clothes, shoes, toiletries, books and toys (if any space).

I would put a bag in the hold. You will need your hands free to sort child up steps etc
We fly slot to Belfast and it is such a relief getting rid of bags as toddlers have plenty of stuff to carry
Get a cheap buggy for flight as it is likely to be damaged

The hardest bit is at arrivals in foreign country as you won't have a buggy but might have a lot of distance to walk to get through passport control

We flew Ryan Air and kept the buggy until the steps to the plane, it was on the tarmac when we got off. Worth checking as that was so helpful.

I would do cabin bags simply to get rid of as much as possible. Much easier to get at essentials on the plane when you're not rooting through your pants. Plus big hand luggage bags might be spread out if there's no space above your seats, so you could be on a trek to get essentials.

Sorry, I would do hold bags

Just done a week days abroad ( me, other half ,7 year old and toddler) and took cabin bags only (3) plus changing bag (small rucksack) check pram in hold, baby in sling. You need to be a good packer but do able. I padded out the pram with a pack of nappies. Checked it rather than faffing at the gate.

Having a hold bag means that you can take all the liquids you need. I normally use supermarket brands in the UK, so if you have to buy suncream abroad it can eat into the savings made by not having a hold bag.

Another advantage of having a hold bag is that you can get rid of the luggage before security. If you're planning to take wheelie cases as hand luggage, I can imagine that is quite difficult to manage through the airport along with 2 DCs, so if you have the hold case, you could just have rucksacks or a handbag, so easier.

Alternatively, with Easyjet, you get extra hand luggage if you pay for priority, which might mean you can do without the hold case, but that could well cost more than £50 for all of you and then you have even more stuff to lug through the airport.

Short answer is, unless you travel quite light and are happy to shop when you get there (time consuming, possibly more expensive, unknown brands, limited range if no big shops nearby) I would get the hold bag.