Travel tips for first time parents

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We've just booked our first holiday as new parents and will be staying in a villa just outside Malaga for a week when our dd will be 5 months old.

Does anyone have any useful tips that they have learnt which would help make this trip as stress free as possible?

For the plane, take plenty of nappies in case of delays. Feed dd during take off and landing so her ears don't hurt. She'll probably be happy just sitting on your knee but take a couple of small toys.

Buy a cheap second hand buggy, it'll get thrown about by the baggage handlers. You can usually take it to the gate and then hand it over, check on the airline website. Also take a sling if she likes it.

You can buy nappies there, just make sure you know her weight in kg as sizing isn't always the same. We usually just take 2-3 days worth of nappies until we find our feet.

Most airlines will let you take a changing bag on board as baby's hand luggage, plus two baby items in the hold, for example cot, buggy or car seat.

Lots of sun cream. Sudocrem is good as aftersun too.

If you don't want to carry a heavy travel cot, you can buy a koo-di pop up travel cot and sell it on afterwards. They're very lightweight.

Don't forget things like bottles and bottle brush. Makes life so much easier!

Think of it as a change of scene rather than a 'holiday' as you used to know them

^what user said.

Spare clothes for you in hand luggage in case of poo/sick incident when travelling. It’s unlikely to contain itself on baby.

Thanks everyone!!

Any tips on whether it's easier to breastfeed or bottle feed? I was thinking that I'd like to have stopped breastfeeding by then so I can share the night feeds and maybe have a drink but then I don't really want to introduce formula. I'm torn!

I wouldn't stop BF just for a holiday. It takes so long to establish and in general is much easier day to day that it's a shame to stop for a week? Could you maybe introduce a bottle of formula so the baby is used to it and then that allows you a break?

Agree that's it's just the same elsewhere. Babies don't get the memo they're meant to relax! Also agree on spare clothes for you in hand luggage. My baby was horrifically sick all done me and I had nothing to change into. Was awful!

Take your own car seat. Airlines carry them free of charge.

Definitely keep bf, much easier than faffing with bottles when away. You can drink and bf (loads of threads on it) just don't get absolutely smashed!

The first time with travel with a baby with decided to take her in a baby carrier and the pushchair with put it with the luggage. That was a bit mistake; I will never forget. Take a pushchair and hand it before going on the plane if you can.

Take some baby paracetamol in the hand luggage in case the ears hurt .

BF is so much easier, if you can continue. No need to cart all the bottles/teats/sterilising stuff with you, and no panicking that a made-up bottle is getting too warm in the sun if you're out & about, or trying to find somewhere to heat it up.

Most airports have a family lane at security. It's worth using as the staff (and other travellers) are more patient and helpful in my experience.

Take spare clothes for you on the flight as well as them in case flying makes them sick.

Breastfeed if you can. Travelling with formula paraphernalia is a pain.

You could buy a new book or small toy just for the flight. Something new for them to look at. Sling is useful and i wished i could whip out my boob on take off and landing rather than faffing about with formula. looks at my stupid boobies

Definitely have a change of clothes for you all. BF makes life a lot easier (I'm v lazy). If possible use a carrier at the airport as it's much easier than lugging a buggy about in crowds. The most awkward bit is getting baby to sit with the seatbelt on (on your lap obvs) make sure you take something that will entertain (even if that's a teaspoon) Definitely dress baby in a sleep suit for ease (highly recommend a zip one for the plane). You can order nappies/sun cream etc to pick up in Boots airside so that it's not counted in your carry on. Good luck and enjoy x

Thanks everyone. I understand the benefits of continuing to breastfeed and it’s ideally what I’d like to do.

I guess my concerns were that it’s not really a break for me if I’m still doing all the night feeds or spending the days trying to express enough for someone else to feed.

My other concern is what would I wear. Atm I live in jeans and tops with a vest top underneath and then still feed under a blanket. On holiday I usually live in dresses but guess I’d have to stick to shorts and tops.

Any tips?

Shorts and tops would work - just get some loose camisole style tops you can pull down over your BF bra, or you can layer two tops and do OUOD, should be easy :-)

some tips for you
Plan ahead and do your research before the trip.
Pack wisely and bring all necessary baby gear.
Stick to your baby's routine as much as possible.
Be prepared for unexpected situations and bring a first aid kit.
Consider the location and type of accommodations you'll need.
Be patient and flexible, and try to enjoy the trip as much as possible.

Greetings: Titiksinggah