First holiday with a toddler.. tips please :)

[lucyinthe]

We're going on our first family holiday next week to Gran Canaria (me, DH and 19 month old daughter) just looking for some tips...
I've ordered new toys for the journey, spf 50 long sleeved swimsuits, arm bands, pool float etc any other tips welcome?

Main thing I'm worrying about at the moment is what to dress her in at night? I was thinking of dressing her in pjs when we go out in the evening so if she falls asleep in the pram while we're out I can just put her straight into the cot when we get back? But I also don't want to look like scruffs out with her in pjs haha.

As I said any tips welcome, thanks in advance :)

Honestly I'd keep my toddlers in their clothes at night- if they fall asleep I'd put them into the hotel room bed in their clothes- what's the harm? If they wake up from the transition I'll change them into pjs then.

Make sure you have plenty of non perishable snacks at all times. Toddlers waiting for food at restaurants are always tricky. Sunhat. Don't forget the swim nappies like we did! Pack calpol and sudocream, its surprising how often we've needed this while away.

Make sure the toddler is drinking milk (bottle or boob) on take off and landing. It will help keep their ears equalised. Make sure you have some new exciting things to distract with on the plane or things downloaded on an ipad etc. (My little one loved peekaboo house https://www.amazon.co.uk/Peekaboo-House-Camilla-Reid/dp/1788005775 )

If you are going on the beach hunt out cheap sand toys before you leave. We didn't before going to Turkey and ended up with a very expensive and very limited choice available to buy at our hotel.

Not sure if mosquitos are an issue where you are, but if they are I found some after sun lotion with mosquito repellent in it on amazon which wasn't a harsh chemical and which I felt comfortable applying to my kids when away.

Consider how your pushchair will be transported- we purchased a bag for checking ours onto the plane.

If you usually use a sleeping bag at home take it with you - hotel cots are always blankets- my little one did not appreciate the unfamiliarity.

Find some light long socks- while in the pushchair I found I could shade them quite well apart from their knees downwards. I would mainly dress them during the day in dresses or shorts and t shirts and long socks where the sun would hit their legs.

Get a couple of rash vests or all in ones. Saves having to use so much sun cream. A portable sunshade is useful. Mesh ones are good. Take calpol and antiseptic cream, plasters. Sippy cup, don't forget to order car seat if you're hiring a car. Best buy is a trunki. Our kids loved it and helps when tired at the airport but no buggy yet.

I would make sure to take some layers tbh as it can be cold still especially evening in February. Even if it’s warm daytime, it likely to drop to 16-18 degrees maximum in evenings

If there is a shallow pool, our little girl loved playing with watering can and bucket, pouring the water around. Kept her entertained for hours!

And second the trunki!

Lots of snacks that they're used to! I've travelled a lot with both DC as babies and toddlers and always make sure that they have some food they're guaranteed to eat on hand. DS is 4 and a great eater, but travel can sometimes put him a bit off his food, so I always try and have some granola, dried fruit and the like to hand. Make sure it's nut fee though, in case you get a no nuts flight.

Take a baby thermometer so you can judge whether generally hot and bothered or coming down with something.

I've heard mixed reviews of Trunkis.

More snacks/toys/books for each flight than you can ever possibly imagine needing. If you have some at the end consider that a win, but if you run out it's end of days.

Battery operated fan in hand luggage in case of delays on the tarmac.

Mini inflatable paddling pool so you can set her up on the balcony / next to you on loungers in the shade

Balloons! Take up no space but hours of easy fun.

I hated the trunki, broke on first flight we took it on. They are cheap and unstable. You really don’t need another thing to carry round the airport.

take a light weight buggy with a fully reclinable seat so baby can sleep properly. Buy an umbrella or sun protector so she is out of sun when asleep on beach or at the pool.
Bring antibacterial wipes for highchairs and plane. Last thing you need is a sick baby.

just dress her normal in the evening. You can change her back in the room.

Balloons near a beach is an awful idea. Why pollute everywhere with more plastic.

take bubbles instead OP if sand, sea and pool js not entertainment enough. And yes bring some sand toys/little tea set. Kids love pouring water back and forth.

Toddler swim shoes and nappies, sippy cup and bowl for snacks. Calpol sachets, anti back hand wipes. Buggy that reclines back for naps. Abit of fairy in bottle for washing.

I second this. Only take backpacks and one handluggae of you really must. One parent needs to be hands free.

I would just say keep expectations low. Not in a bad way way but 1st holiday with a baby is really different. Be prepared that some nights you won't be going out for dinner. Stock up on things you can heat up in the room & be OK with having a few drinks and playing cards on the balcony. It's different but still good. Have a fabulous time

The posters above are the kind of people who look incredibly stressed and harassed struggling through airports with masses of stuff.

It’s Spain not a remote pacific island. You’ll be able to find pretty much anything you’d have in the UK. Cheap and cheerful beach toys, medicine, snacks, sun cream, nappies etc. Spar, Lidl and SuperDino are some of the very reliable supermarkets.

If you’ve got a sling, take it. There is some amazing walking/hiking available in GC.

DC’s usual sleeping bag is a good shout.

The Spanish are very child friendly and welcoming so you may find DD is too busy being fawned over by waiters and old ladies in the evenings to fall asleep. She may just adjust her schedule and sleep in later.

👋

Sick bags, extra clothes (for everyone) and tonnes of wipes for the plane just in case little one gets sick like mine did

Ha ha, I agree with this too. I think I tool a few books and maybe two toys. Your baby will be happy just exploring their new environment. The only must haves are anything they use for bed, such as sleep sack or soft toy or story so that is familiar as part of their regular routine. Also agree with PP set your expectations low. No matter what, you'll all have a great time

Agree with @MoreLidlThanWaitrose
Very easy to find what you need there.

Clothes wise, I'd pack a jacket/hoody and some possible long legged or sleeve outfits for night time as it will feel chilly.

Key tip: adjust your expectations. It's not a holiday, it's childcare in a different country. Anything else is a bonus!

Thank you so much great advice from everyone much appreciated xx

My advice-

• Trunki I wouldn't bother. It will end up being just an extra thing to carry through the airport for you. Also doesn't fit that much in it.
• I would fit everything you need into 2 rucksacks so you and husband cab have 1 each on your backs and still have hands free.
• Take a sling carrier onto the plane for carrying off the plane.
• Lots of snacks for the plane. I also put a few of their fav small toys away for a month before going as I know they like playing with them but seem new too.
• I do a boots order to collect in the terminal with calpol and other essentials in it. Saves taking them through security.
• Consider what you check in for toddler. Can check in 2 of the following pushchair, backpack carrier, car seat, travel cot. If we can hire car seats cheaply we hire these. So can take pushchair and backpack carrier.
• I would get beach toys when there rather than take with you
• Obs suncream, hat, long sleeve swimsuit and swim hat. Swim Nappies I take reusable, I have twins so to take enough swim Nappies would just take over my luggage. So have 2 reusable and rinse out each day. Nappies I take enough for the first day then buy when there.
• At 19 months if you little one eats most things I wouldn't take many snacks for when you are there (unless there is any specific they like). You will be able to buy everything you need.
• Night time I do 1 of 2 things if going out for dinner. If eating with children will go out early then come back early. Or I will get toddler to sleep then transfer into the pushchair and cover with Blackout mesh then go out for a quiet meal with a sleeping child.... obviously depend on how they sleep though.