First time travelling with 8 months old

[Italianshark]

Hiya hoping for some advice, taking baby girl to Spain in July with my step son also who is 6.

Can anyone advise things that they took which were life savers or things they wish they had? Examples I need is like my MIL said 'take a small blow up paddling pool to put next to your sun bed'

Really just anything as I'm certain I'm gonna get out there and be like feeeccckkkkkk

You definitely want some sort of shade protection. Like those half tent things. I had one of those paddling pool things too I filled it with balls. But I don’t think you’re going to be doing much lounging around with two kids!
Also things may have changed but I remember nappies came in mega sized bags - it was either 48 or nothing.

I always bought my nappies on holiday- just the local brand but I took swim nappies (enough for two or three a day) - they were much more expensive. Also I found that not many places sell nappy bags.
Pack a plug in night light.
I'd take a swim ring. I hate arm bands! Even with a float suit, you still have to be guiding them the whole time because if they tip forward they might not be able to right themselves. A swim ring will allow you more freedom.
Rinse or bath your LO after being in the pool because their skin is more sensitive to chlorine.
Take your own sponge for bath time and perhaps a universal bath plug (so you can turn a hotel sink into a baby bath. just put socks over the ends of the taps).
If your LO is sharing your room, it might help to bring a headtorch if you have one so you can do nappy changes etc... without turning the main light on and disturbing your sleeping OH!
For first-aid I'd take plasters, calpol, piriton, sudocrem and a thermometer. You can get Calpol and Ibuprofen sachets in handy 5ml sizes.
A baby monitor is also useful.
Don't forget bibs and beakers and a few plastic spoons.
Make sure you have at least one change of clothes for the flight and bring a spare top for yourself. Just in case! Layer her up so you can keep her comfy through the flight. Take a hat to pull over her eyes and ears to help with sleep and to keep head warm if the air con is too strong.
Order all your toddler food and nappies/baby wipes that you will need while you’re at the airport (both ends) and during the flight from Boots for collection after all security checks. You can order baby milk, food, nappies, bottles, suntan lotion, makeup – basically anything they sell. When checking out, select delivery to store. This will hopefully save you some time in the security queue as you will have less liquids to be checked and will save room in your carry-on luggage.
We found a really good Lamaze toy with a suction pad that we could stick on the tray table. I've used this baby sleep balm for the plane and it works a treat www.babipur.co.uk/lgr-organic-baby-sleep-balm.html There are loads of other baby sleep balms on the market that are a bit cheaper. I think Boots sells some.
If you're taking a dummy, bring a dummy clip to attach it to LO so it doesn't fall on the floor.