Holiday essentials

[JesikaWatson]

We're going on our first family holiday in July to Tenerife for a week, my daughter will be 1 by then.

Is there any little hacks, or must haves I should know about?

I'm so excited to start getting her wee case packed but don't want to miss anything out!

We are also self-catering, so should I take food with us for her or buy there?

TIA Xx

It's January. You don't need to pack six months in advance!

Re food, depends what she is eating and how fussy she is! But re self catering I usually pack herbs to take with me (just saves you buying them there and trying to work out what things are in foreign supermarkets!).

In terms of essentials, it’ll be hot & with babies the main problem is keeping them cool so take as much protective gear as possible for your buggy and a factor 50 suncream, sun hat for the pool etc. Keep her in the shade as much as possible. Take insect repellant with you for the evening, as she’s wee it’s going to have to be non deet (I think but check that!) and a repellant plug in for the room.

Other than that, lots of light clothes, nappies, calpol, plasters etc. It’s obvious (so apologies!) but don’t forget adaptor plugs and chargers.

Both my DD’s were terrible travellers, particularly the youngest and would either hurl on the way to the airport, on the plane or just as we got off so take a change of clothes for them with you onto the plane and a spare top for yourself and an empty plastic bag - nothing worse than going through arrivals with both you & DC covered in sick believe me!

Other than that, take stuff to amuse DD on the plane and don’t stress too much if she cries, most of us have been there and people are generally nicer that we always give them credit for!

Agree it’s a bit early but hey, you’re excited and the first trip away is a big thing!

Smemorata- I never said I was packing right now, I'm simply looking for HELPFUL information as it's something I've never done and don't want to miss anything.

SJaneS48 - thank you so much! Will definitely keep this in mind when it comes time to get things ready. Just don't want to end up stressing when I'm back at work with limited time to sort things!

I get you're excited and thinking ahead! I'm the same!

I'd say:
Things to entertain her on the plane.
Sunhats
Suncream
Armbands
Pool toys
A favourite cuddly toy
Calpol

Have a fab time!

Who are you flying with? With young children you usually get priority boarding free which I didn't know when we first flew and I had already paid for it 😂🙄 I took one of those cotton things you can attach to a normal chair to sit baby in too, cane in handy.

We took a few muslins with my granddaughter , they were used wet to help cool her down, as sun blocks, towels, blankets and were also handy for adults too

Thank you everyone! I'll make a wee list so that it's easier when the time comes - we can't wait😁!

Jojobythesea- we're flying with Ryanair, I'll have a wee look and make sure we get priority before paying the extra! Thanks 😊 x

With Ryanair it might be best just taking the small bag on the plane and then paying for a small bag (or bigger one as needed) in the hold as then you can take all the liquids you need (see next comment re suncream) and you also get rid of all your luggage before security, which makes getting through the airport and onto the plane easier.

Make sure you take plenty of suncream as it's far more expensive abroad than the UK. Or you could buy it in Boots after security.

Antihistamine is also a good shout to have in your bag in case of heat rash. And maybe a tube of savlon or similar in case of any little grazes if she’s moving around and exploring. We took a travel cot, you may want to see what sleeping arrangements there are for little ones. Some places we’ve stayed cots have been fab and others dire. We also bought a carry bag for our pushchair. It just gave it a little more protection as they are thrown around. We have seen many broken. We first took my dd abroad when she was 1 and couldn’t believe how much the heat tired her out. She would eat, pool, sleep. On repeat for a fortnight! Have a fab holiday when the time comes.

don't pack a case for her alone, or indeed for anyone alone. If you are taking more than one case then mix stuff up so if a case is lost, no-one is stuck with no clothes.

Tenerife has big supermarkets and plenty of shops so you shouldn't need to take much. Obviously just off Africa and a couple of weeks after the solstice so she'll need full coverups and hat.