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Original poster

Packing for a one-year old - tips on 'crucial' items

23 replies

Pinkjenny · 06/05/2008 11:26

I've always been an 'over' packer - just made that phrase up! I take far too much with me.

Going to Spain with dd who will be 14mo by then. Completely paranoid about sunstroke, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, sunburn, food poisoning etc etc etc.

What crucial items do I need?

Tips needed from seasoned travellers.

OP posts:
Bluestocking · 06/05/2008 11:29

UV swimsuit and matching hat
Sunblock
Sippy cups/lidded cups
Cold bag with freezer blocks for picnics

Original poster
Pinkjenny · 06/05/2008 11:30

Is it necessary to put her in one of those wetsuit things?

OP posts:
cheesesarnie · 06/05/2008 11:31

sunblock
calpol
diorylite
sunhat

slalomsuki · 06/05/2008 11:32

I would buy a mini first aid kit and add a few sachets of calpol and dehydartion stuff in there and also a mini bottle of piriton to take the heat out of any sunburn or prickly heat.

All in one sun suit with hat,

when there buy a cheap UV sun tent for the beac and then dd can have a sleep in there if it gets too much

Original poster
Pinkjenny · 06/05/2008 11:34

OK now I'm panicking even more. Its not likely she'll get any of these things though, is it? If I take care?

OP posts:
cheesesarnie · 06/05/2008 11:36

im awful for being too prepared with first aid kits etc.i take one everywhere!better to be prepared.im sure youll have a lovely holiday!

MrsBadger · 06/05/2008 11:38

stop panicking - they have shops in Spain too, it's not like you're going off the beaten track

UV suit
familiar hat/s she will not rip off
suncream
familiar Calpol / bonjela etc
antibac hand gel only in case you can't find handwashing facilities before meals

everything else you can get there if you discover you need it

Bluestocking · 06/05/2008 11:39

No, it's not likely that she'll be unwell, but it is better to be prepared than to be trying to (a) find a late-night pharmacy and (b) trying to explain what you need in halting Spanglish (apols if you are fluent Spanish speaker!). Take something for nappy rach/prickly heat too.

stealthsquiggle · 06/05/2008 11:39

All in one suits are not neccesary but quite handy (minimises sand in nappies, for a start)

You can get them a lot cheaper than GLTC and co - try Mothercare and/or Matalan

Several sippy cups if you are as good as I am at losing them

Good sunshade for buggy (one of the big add one ones whose brand name escapes me but we got one before we went to Florida with DD and it was great - far better than just the hood of the buggy)

Make sure you have towel /muslin that you can soak and use as shade/cooling.

If it gets really hot then a clip-on fan for buggy would be handy.

MrsBadger · 06/05/2008 11:39

oh and they have doctors
and pharmacies
and hospitals
all of whom have people who speak English

if you were trekking through the Sahara it'd matter more, but as it is you will be FINE.

Original poster
Pinkjenny · 06/05/2008 11:43

Ha ha - I am a total worrier. I really want her to enjoy it. Am thinking that although the all in ones aren't desperately attractive, they might be useful, and stop me worrying so much about the heat.

OP posts:
francagoestohollywood · 06/05/2008 11:46

when exactly are you going?
Having grown up in Italy and taking the children to Sicily every other summer, I have to say that getting sunstroke is a rarity. Avoid going to the beach/in the sunshine between 12-5. Keep her fluids up and take a hat that she won't take off. have a good time!.

Original poster
Pinkjenny · 06/05/2008 11:48

Going on 8 July. Is it a bit early to start worrying, do you think?

Just trying to compile my list - am a big list maker.

Franca - I grew up in South Africa and didn't get sunstroke until I went to Tenerife with dh at the age of 26!

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 06/05/2008 11:50

jojomamanbebe do top-and-short combos that you might prefer to the wetsuit type, or they do a trad cotton sunsuit whihc is quite cool too

pricey though

francagoestohollywood · 06/05/2008 11:51

LOl!
well July is a hot month if you are going to Southern spain. I really think the best is too avoid 12-5, which is doable with toddlers, as I remember being the first one at the beach at 9 o'clock .

francagoestohollywood · 06/05/2008 11:51

gosh those sun suits, don't they make them hotter??? (damn cute though)

Original poster
Pinkjenny · 06/05/2008 11:52

I'm kind of torn. They look so weird. Does this make me a bad mum?

Am also considering my parents managed to bring me up in SA without even getting sunburnt. Right, that's it, my mum can be in charge. Lucky my parents are coming with us.

Any other useful items other than medical-related ones?

OP posts:
francagoestohollywood · 06/05/2008 11:56

Jenny, mine have never worn sun suits, but then they are Italian and have dark complexion... not that I let them fry under the august sunshine at lunchtime...
Get a good sun cream (50 +), preferably organic (no nasty chemical)
have always a bottle of water/fresh fruit with you.
Let her have a nap during the hottest hours (while you relax)
Where are you going? we are going to menorca in AUgust

stealthsquiggle · 06/05/2008 11:58

If you don't like the suits, just go for a slightly over-sized T Shirt instead - we found a spray bottle/fan was the best thing for cooling DD down when generally out and about (we were not on a beach) and she wore as little as possible most of the time.

The main advantage of those suits (not sure about the cotton one - that looks more like a Victorian bathing suit than a wetsuit!) is that they dry quickly if they are in and out of the water a lot - DS loved his.

Poledra · 06/05/2008 12:08

Other than the medical things, I always take a blanket off my dds' beds, so they have a familiar smell when they're going to sleep. Guess a favourite cuddly toy would do the trick too.

CaurnieBred · 06/05/2008 13:01

Try and take some little things for her to play with in the pool - eg stacking pots, a little tea set. These always went (and actually still do go) down a treat with our dd who is now 3.

Also if you are planning on going out and about at night you might want to get some anti mozzie wipes - Boots do them suitable for her age.

I think when we went away the first time I also had sterilising wipes for the restaurant high chairs and tables (can you tell mine is a PFB!).

I too like to be "prepared" well in advance - it is my coping mechanism. Has been known to drive my DH up the wall (eg, I've already planned the route we are taking when we go camping in August - anal isn't the word!).

L

Original poster
Pinkjenny · 06/05/2008 13:15

Caurnie - that's a great idea.

OP posts:
Amapoleon · 06/05/2008 22:42

I live in southern Spain and my advice is hat/suncream/water. Also take talc as it is great for getting sand off. I also suggest the same as franca, keeping out of the mid day sun. The Spanish disappear from around 2-5/6 and then all pile on to the beach again. It is quite acceptable in the summer, to keep your child out late at night and you will see kids playing in the park at 11 o'clock. Some attractions e.g the zoo do night openings as it is just too hot in the day

Let me know if you need any other tips

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