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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for your tips and recommendations for a holiday with a 4 month old!

17 replies

elm26 · 04/06/2023 19:21

Hi everyone

We have just booked Portugal for week in September and DD will be 4 months.

I'm trying to be organised, we are registering her next week then will apply for passport.

So far on my list I have:

  • 2 all in one UV protection swim suits (the ones that go from neck to ankles)
  • 2 UV protection hats with the backs on them for her neck
  • high factor baby suncream
  • we already have a clip on fan that we can put on her buggy
  • nappies and formula (will get just before we go)
  • swim nappies
  • Milton sterilising tablets
  • a couple of quiet but stimulating toys for plane
  • bottles for milk
  • pool float with canopy for her
  • calpol and usual nappy cream etc
  • a couple of blankets for night time
  • few toys for when we are there
  • a tiny fold up little paddling pool in case the pool is too cold
  • UV protection umbrella for pram (we already have)
  • her travel white noise machine

Do I take her travel system? Or buy a cheap buggy? I don't want her nice pram to be ruined in baggage handling.

We are staying in a villa with friends and their children and our room already has a travel cot in it and we have a washing machine there so was going to take a couple of cot sheets that we already have.

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Sleepyteach · 04/06/2023 19:33

We went to Portugal when DD was about the same age, we took our travel system, and it really helped with naps, it was comfy and familiar and she just settled down and snoozed, the heat really takes it out of little ones though, so she’ll probably want more naps than usual. Get a bag for the travel system and you can fill the gaps with nappies, toys etc. You’ll also need bottled water with a low mineral content for making up formula, will check which one we used and comment again. Also LOTS of spare clothes, (you and her) wipes and nappies for the plane and journey to the villa. First time we went Dh had to go on an emergency mission to find more wipes as soon as we arrived. Planes do funny things to babies tummies! 🤦🏼‍♀️

Sleepyteach · 04/06/2023 19:40

It was Monchique water we used, has a purple cap, available pretty much anywhere. We usually get it from Aldi.

Original poster
elm26 · 04/06/2023 20:41

Thanks so much!

I always carry two spare outfits (vest and babygrow or similar and a couple of spare muslins) in little ziplock bags wherever I go anyway so will do this for the plane.

Lots of nappies and wipes are on my list for hand luggage also, I forgot to put it on here.

I will take a spare top in case of any sick!

Great idea about getting a cover for the travel system and filling the gaps!

Thank you for the heads up regarding the water
☺️

OP posts:
justawee · 04/06/2023 21:04

Went when my youngest was 3 months nearly 19 years ago.
Cheap buggy and lots of sarongs/ muslins I remember taking as they can be used for lots of uses.
We had a fab and chilled holiday

MyFaceIsAnAONB · 04/06/2023 21:10

Wow you’re very organised!!!

We went to Greece last summer when DD was 4 months. We did take whole travel system inc car seat. We took baby bjorn bouncer and play mat too! Just in a regular bag. We had 2 suitcases and a hold-all bag between 5 of us so it wasn’t excessive. Pushchair and car seat were included extras for babies travelling.

Formula wise we just mimicked what the perfect prep does at home with a kettle. Took lots of formula with us and ready-to-feed formula for the flights. Lots of it in case of delays!

mindutopia · 04/06/2023 21:19

I would learn to use a sling and bring one. Ideally not a carrier (too hot), but a proper sling. Will be a godsend for the plane and airport too.

I brought my pushchair, just got a buggy bag for it and checked it in that.

At that age, she won’t be super interested in toys, so I wouldn’t go mad with toys.

Be careful with the pool float. She’ll be at the age of wanting to roll and it could be dangerous unless you are absolutely sure you’ll have a hold of her and your eyes on her at all times.

For the plane, if you do bring toys, wrap them individually in wrapping paper. She won’t easily be able to unwrap them, but can watch you and play with the paper.

Freshair87 · 04/06/2023 21:19

I'd agree with a bouncer or playmat. Mine started teething around then so maybe some teething gel just in case. Also found handy a pair of baby ear defenders as when we were queuing to get on the plane it was very loud which the baby hated

mindutopia · 04/06/2023 21:21

Also personally i didn’t pack any nappies, wipes, that sort of thing other than what I needed for the first day or two. Hopefully you’ll have a supermarket nearby. I just bought everything there.

Original poster
elm26 · 04/06/2023 22:56

justawee · 04/06/2023 21:04

Went when my youngest was 3 months nearly 19 years ago.
Cheap buggy and lots of sarongs/ muslins I remember taking as they can be used for lots of uses.
We had a fab and chilled holiday

Amazing thank you! I feel like I go through 15 muslins a day anyway so will be packing lots as good to use as a light cover up too!

OP posts:
Original poster
elm26 · 04/06/2023 22:59

MyFaceIsAnAONB · 04/06/2023 21:10

Wow you’re very organised!!!

We went to Greece last summer when DD was 4 months. We did take whole travel system inc car seat. We took baby bjorn bouncer and play mat too! Just in a regular bag. We had 2 suitcases and a hold-all bag between 5 of us so it wasn’t excessive. Pushchair and car seat were included extras for babies travelling.

Formula wise we just mimicked what the perfect prep does at home with a kettle. Took lots of formula with us and ready-to-feed formula for the flights. Lots of it in case of delays!

We've got 2 suitcases for the 3 of us, I will take some of the ready made formula cartons for the airport and flight, that's a great idea thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
elm26 · 04/06/2023 23:01

mindutopia · 04/06/2023 21:19

I would learn to use a sling and bring one. Ideally not a carrier (too hot), but a proper sling. Will be a godsend for the plane and airport too.

I brought my pushchair, just got a buggy bag for it and checked it in that.

At that age, she won’t be super interested in toys, so I wouldn’t go mad with toys.

Be careful with the pool float. She’ll be at the age of wanting to roll and it could be dangerous unless you are absolutely sure you’ll have a hold of her and your eyes on her at all times.

For the plane, if you do bring toys, wrap them individually in wrapping paper. She won’t easily be able to unwrap them, but can watch you and play with the paper.

I've got a sling so will make sure I use that for airport etc thank you! I just meant a couple of sensory toys, I don't plan on bringing the whole of toys r us haha minimal is my kind of thing.

Yeah I understand that about the float, there are so many of us that she would never be left unattended in water at any point anyway, that goes for all of the kids going whether they can swim or not 😊

OP posts:
Original poster
elm26 · 04/06/2023 23:02

Freshair87 · 04/06/2023 21:19

I'd agree with a bouncer or playmat. Mine started teething around then so maybe some teething gel just in case. Also found handy a pair of baby ear defenders as when we were queuing to get on the plane it was very loud which the baby hated

Playmat is a great idea, I've got a little fold up travel one that my brother gave me from his little one so that's a fab idea. Didn't think about teething gel! Will add that to list. Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
elm26 · 04/06/2023 23:04

mindutopia · 04/06/2023 21:21

Also personally i didn’t pack any nappies, wipes, that sort of thing other than what I needed for the first day or two. Hopefully you’ll have a supermarket nearby. I just bought everything there.

I might just pack a small pack in hand luggage and a pack of wipes and one more pack in suitcase, DH said we are a 10 minute walk from the supermarket so good idea to grab whilst out there ☺️

OP posts:
Dittoschmitto · 04/06/2023 23:08

Order your nappies/formula/wipes to click and collect from Boots once your are past security. Doesn’t count to luggage allowance.

Get a snooze shade for naps in the pushchair. We’ve just been away and it was probably the best thing we took, protects from the sun, keeps the pram dark for sleep and doesn’t make the pram overheat like using a Muslin would.

Yes to all in one swimsuits.

Microwave travel steriliser bags are great too for holidays.

Original poster
elm26 · 05/06/2023 07:57

Dittoschmitto · 04/06/2023 23:08

Order your nappies/formula/wipes to click and collect from Boots once your are past security. Doesn’t count to luggage allowance.

Get a snooze shade for naps in the pushchair. We’ve just been away and it was probably the best thing we took, protects from the sun, keeps the pram dark for sleep and doesn’t make the pram overheat like using a Muslin would.

Yes to all in one swimsuits.

Microwave travel steriliser bags are great too for holidays.

Oooh I forgot we can do that! Another great idea!

Do you think I need the sun shade as well as the umbrella? It's a UV protection one and covers the whole pram when it's up. First time Mum so I'm welcoming all ideas and recommendations!

OP posts:
justawee · 05/06/2023 09:57

*pack

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