Holiday essentials for 5 month old.

[Kate3150]

Going to Spain in May and starting to think of things I need to take.
Would love to hear others essentials, things you’ve taken or wish you’d taken to help with sleep and just things in general really.
TIA 😊

a Blackout blind, either a portable one that suctions to the window if you’re in an apartment type accommodation (incase the blinds are rubbish) or the SnoozeShade cot cover if you’re sharing a room in a hotel. This will mean when baby is asleep you can keep them in the dark but have the lights on in the room for you to both move around, watch tv, go to the toilet etc once they are asleep.

Agree with blackout blind. Try out a suncream in advance to check they don’t react badly to it! Take first aid including Calpol, Piriton liquid, cleaning wipes etc. take a little bottle of travel wash so you can hand wash clothes. Take the sheet off their cot at home so it smells familiar. The swimsuits which fully cover are great as saves on much suncream application.

On the plane take a spare set of clothes for BOTH OF YOU! Just in case...
I always expect holidays to naturally be really hot and then regret not bringing enough layers, so bring baby a variety of clothes, cardigans, long and short sleeved vests etc. and a sun hat you can tie on because they just take them off and eat them.

Calpol, Calpol and calpol

Rubber plug so you can turn a sink or shower into a bath.

The equivalent to Calpol in Spain is called "Apiretal" and you need to get it in a pharmacy (no prescription needed). Also, nappies are way more expensive in Spain than in the UK, in case you want to carry some with you 😉
I'm from the southof Spain and there are mosquitoes there, so I would check it that's the case where you are going and get some protection.
If you are staying in a hotel, kettles are not so common in Spain, so I would probably ask (if midnight bottles are a thing for you)! My toddler drinks cow milk now, and I usually get a pot/pan to put the bottle in warm water to heat the milk (he wouldn't drink it cold).

Enjoy your holidays!

I loved my Doona, so easy when it came to taking taxis and things on holiday. I wish they made one for bigger toddlers!

my stretchy sling, ideal for getting through airports, and for snoozes on the plane

a big blanket size Muslim cloth - nice as a lightweight blanket if needed, or makeshift sun shade

a gentle baby SPF

I miss that age, so easy to travel with! Have a nice time :)

a sling is a good shout, a lot of airlines/airports allow you to take the buggy to the gate when you board but you can only get them back off the baggage reclaim belt which means you have to carry your child through the airport.

Has anyone taken a stage 0 car seat with them? How have they found it? I assume it goes in the hold rather than the cabin? I have a holiday booked through TUI (but flying with Ryanair), I think the package would allow us to take it, but unsure how awkward that would be, especially with taking 3 or 4 suitcases (family of 5 now! Two adults, 3 kids). My littlee will be 5 months. Would she likely be ok in her buggy on a reclined setting, so without the car seat attached?

She's better off in the reclined buggy, babies shouldn't be in car seats outside travelling in a car. We haven't travelled with a car seat, we booked a transfer car that provided a car seat.

We took a pop up playpen by Babymoov brand at that age and it was so useful on the beach, and also in the hotel room!