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Original poster

First holiday with nearly 1yo - please look at my packing list?

27 replies

AlltheFlorals · 03/06/2021 11:03

DH and I are going in our first holiday with our baby, 11 months tomorrow! A UK Air Bnb. We are very excited after the year everyone's had, but my packing list seems to get longer and longer!! The holiday cottage does have a high chair thank goodness but our car is going to be full before we've even packed anything for ourselves! Does anyone have any tips or hacks for holidaying with baby / toddlers and how to avoid taking the kitchen sink!??

So far we have:

Travel cot
Baby monitor
White noise machine
night light
Calpol
Baby backpack for walks
Buggy
Picnic chair for baby
Toys
Clothes
Pyjamas
Sleeping bags
Nappies
wipes
Travel changing mat
Sun cream, hat & glasses
Milk
Bottles
Travel sterilisers
Sippy cup
Water bottle
Suction plate
Bibs & apron
Spoon
Bath wash
Bath towel

Also any general tips for enjoying a holiday with a baby and trying to feel like we have had a break?

OP posts:
hopeishere · 03/06/2021 11:06

Personally I'd lose the white noise machine and unless you're in a mansion the monitor. Also the picnic chair, night light, toys and towel.

Bringing the pram takes up so much room!
But is unavoidable.

hopeishere · 03/06/2021 11:07

Do they not have a travel cot? I've never stayed anywhere that didn't provide one.

1n5piration · 03/06/2021 11:11

As pp said. I’d also reconsider the buggy. If there’s two adults then one can carry the baby and one the backpack.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

1 year olds Baby & toddler products Families Holidays
Original poster
AlltheFlorals · 03/06/2021 11:12

@hopeishere no they don't. It's just a normal air Bnb. But our travel cot is actually one of the smallest lightest items.

OP posts:
TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 03/06/2021 11:17

A few toys, look at foil balloons, they pack tiny, but our DS loved them at that age. I got a couple in home bargains or the like, £1 each, just blew them up myself with the wee straw provided and we bopper them round the room. They make a satisfying twang boom noise at the same time!

Then we just popped them at the end of the holiday and put them in the bin.

ShirleyPhallus · 03/06/2021 11:19

@hopeishere

Personally I'd lose the white noise machine and unless you're in a mansion the monitor. Also the picnic chair, night light, toys and towel.

Bringing the pram takes up so much room!
But is unavoidable.

Omg I’d leave behind a kidney before I lost the white noise machine!! Mine is a little travel one, highly recommend it

Agree removing the picnic chair and / or the pram, we took DD in a carrier at that age still.

Notlostjustexploring · 03/06/2021 11:26

Not on your list is a blackout/gro blind. We never go anywhere without one!!!

Seeline · 03/06/2021 11:31

I would not leave the buggy behind! So useful. You don't need a picnic chair as well (whatthe hell is a picnic chair?!)

IF you do take the buggy - raincover and sunshade

IF oyu are going to the beach - a UV sunsuit is great, along with something to provide shade whilst sitting.

Small first aid kit (especially if baby is getting more mobile)

Original poster
AlltheFlorals · 03/06/2021 11:32

Oh no @Notlostjustexploring we do use those at home - I forgot!!! What shall I do?!! I've no idea of the size of the windows!

Not taking buggy is not an option as my lo is massive and super heavy. I've got a bad back so I can't ask DH to carry baby the entire holiday - he will need some respite!

OP posts:
MyDcAreMarvel · 03/06/2021 11:37

The baby can picnic in the buggy , what it is picnic chair anyway?

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 03/06/2021 11:37

I'm shocked someone has suggested leaving the buggy behind. Who wants to hold/carry a baby on days out all week?!

And the white noise machine probably gets the OP a guaranteed nap/overnight sleep, so that would be first in the bag.

I'm surprised they dont provide a travel cot. I'd lose the picnic chair. I never used a baby monitor. Dont bother with steriliser at 11mo. 1 sleeping bag should suffice. Toys - I'd keep it at 1 board book, 1 clip on toy (clip onto buggy/carseat) and two small fidget type toys.

Are towels provided for you? If so, just use them for baby.

Re the blackout blind - chuck in a roll of tinfoil and some masking tape. Stick the tinfoil to the bedroom window. Makes the room look like a crack den but does the job.

Original poster
AlltheFlorals · 03/06/2021 11:40

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz lol about the crack den! But great idea!! Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
AlltheFlorals · 03/06/2021 11:42

Ah the picnic chair. For those asking it is absolute genius! It folds up the side of a small pocket sized brolly. You unfold it in one go to make a dinky picnic chair the baby can sit on, strapped in, suitable to grass or beach. It's been invaluable during all the Covid picnics! Baby stays put and it even has a little clip on tray. £20 on Amazon - highly recommend for mobile babies!

OP posts:
Toolateplanting · 03/06/2021 11:44

Thermometer
Lose the steriliser
Will there be a washin machine? If not, small travel wash (powder in bag if u label it!) and some pegs/travel washing line. Then u can lose some of the spare clothing.
I would however bring some substitute spare sleeping bag (can the buggy cosy toes do in a pinch?) so u don’t lose sleep if that gets soiled.
Do u really have to have backpack and buggy? Can u do with a soft pack away carrier?
Yes use the towels provided.
Set of clothes per day plus 2 full sets of spares.
Swimming things? Swim nappies if u might be at pool.
Sun cream and insect repellent suitable for babies.

Moonshine11 · 03/06/2021 11:48

Have to take the buggy!
I recommend a snooze shade that goes over buggy so it’s dark, keeps them cool whilst napping out and about!
I also couldn’t leave my white noise machine behind either!

Seeline · 03/06/2021 11:52

Well the buggy can definitely double as the picnic chair!

Toddlerteaplease · 03/06/2021 12:02

Loose the white noise machine, the steriliser, the picnic chair.

BunnyBerries · 03/06/2021 12:28

Baby nail scissors
Small bath toy
Small pot of blowing bubbles
Own tea towel to dry the baby's tableware
Spare plastic bags for used clothes so you don't need to sort away
Camera and charger (if you don't just use phone)
Extra large fabric tablecloth / picnic mat / sheet for them to crawl, play and dribble on instead of the carpet or hard floor
(so useful at every cottage and house we've stayed at!)

Tips: don't worry too much about routines, have a nap together in the day, bring your own favourite teabags and cake as a snack for yourself, make a playlist you can enjoy for when the baby sleeps in the car, takes lots of photos, enjoy Smile

Mumdiva99 · 03/06/2021 13:03

The cracks den tip works with just a damp cloth wiping the windows and then the foil sticks.

Forget the monitor....you will hear the baby.

Don't think of this as a holiday like prekids
It's same stuff but in a hopefully nicer location.

ilovebagpuss · 03/06/2021 13:09

Used to take a little blow up paddle pool for playing if your little one sits well. If the weather is warm it’s a nice afternoon thing to do if you fancy staying at your cottage.
Someone has mentioned the all in one sun/water suit thingies great for beach play and added sun protection.
Also I know it’s added stuff but a little pop up beach tent can be used in garden too. Ours used to nap in those for a beach day just on a towel.

Crowsaregreat · 03/06/2021 13:10

You might need more entertainments - not to be a downer but holidays with babies can be hard because you associate holidays with relaxation but babies don't get the memo. I used to trawl charity shops and get little animals, books, dolls etc I could whip out to entertain DC.

Also bath mat stickers, they can be handy.

Toolateplanting · 03/06/2021 19:31

Ooh yes forgot about baths with no bath mat! We are really not helping you reduce your list are we....
(You can use a face cloth or 2 as a sort of bath mat substitute but we had stick on ducks that worked if you just brought 2 or 3)

user77hjjy · 03/06/2021 19:39

Not rtft

I'd get away with:

Buggy - bring a wrap/ sling/ carrier
Suction plates
Baby monitor
White noise machine - just use your phone
Baby backpack - see wrap above. Hold hands instead
Picnic chair
Sun cream - too young, not recommended

Baby spoons/ cutlery you might need

Crowsaregreat · 03/06/2021 20:59

As for tips for enjoying holiday with a baby - plan your days in advance and have a rough idea of baby friendly places to go (and booking is advisable at the moment).

Have one achievable goal that you will enjoy on the holiday - like having a proper Cornish pasty, going on a boat trip, seeing a particular place, watching a film etc. Most of a holiday with a baby is same shit, different place but having some things that feel special makes it better.

Keep to your normal schedule as much as possible. Your baby doesn't know that holidays are meant to be fun, the disruption can be upsetting for them.

Don't overlook simple pleasures like sitting in a park or on a beach. It's probably going to have a slower pace than your previous holidays.

Have fun!

Imapotato · 03/06/2021 21:01

I’d loose the picnic chair, baby can sit in and buggy or on the grass. Apart from that it all seems fine.