First holiday with a baby HELP

[Dfjackson]

Hi,

Ive planned a holiday for my partner to celebrate his 40th birthday in September. I know it’s not going to be easy the most amazing holiday with a toddler but I just want some tips to make it as smooth as possible.

Things to pack? Tips and tricks for the flight? Any advice or help you could give would help :)

My LO will be 16 months.

Ive paid for my parents to come with also as we are very very close with them so we do have some help on hand :) it’s a typical all inclusive in corfu we are going to. Day time flight times.

thanks in advance x

You’ll have a great time! I know lots of people are down about holidays with young children but honestly in real life I and many people I know still enjoy them. Obviously it’s different, but still nice. And with a 4:1 ratio you should be able to manage moments that genuinely feel like a holiday.
Corfu in September could still be quite hot, so prepare for that. Other safety type stuff eg if they’re walking. Also check what time the meals are served in the resort and how that will work around bedtime etc.
Snacks and whatever else it takes to survive the plane journey. Worst bit could be trying to keep DC in the little seatbelt on your lap while seatbelt sign is on. My 2 haven’t had ear pain on planes.
Enjoy. Corfu is great and the Greeks there love children (we went with 2 DC in May).

If you're flying on a package you'll probably get loads of luggage allowance so I'd devote a small suitcase to their favourite toys and books. The hard part about holidays with kids is not having all your usual distractions, so if you've got the space bring them too.
I say this as someone who is currently away with a 2yo and 4yo in Spain having brought a suitcase of brio train track...

Absolutely love this haha!!
I will definitely pack a case of toys and books for sure!

Do people take a full suitcase of nappies lol? So worried we will run out

We used a take a packet and then get them there if needed. All the minimart type shops seem to have pampers.

Have you got a balcony? Take a teeny paddling pool. Also balloons take up no space but provide hours of fun! You can use tin foil to create a perfect black out in baby’s room for naps / nighttime. Well stocked first aid kit inc calpol and all the usual stuff you need at home plus a thermometer.

Yes we have a terrace and like a swim up pool outside the terrace sort of thing?
Definitely take a pool I bought a little one yesterday :)
Love the kitchen foil idea.. although baby doesn’t have own room it’s just one big room i think so hoping the have some decent blackout curtains.
Baby refuses to nap anywhere but a quiet dark room…
do you just put baby monitor on and relax on balcony/terrace with a book or something? I’m thinking each of us could take a turn at that
Balloons are an amazing idea too thanks so much!

How does anyone navigate bedtime? Do you all stick to your home routine as much as you can?xx

I think the bedtime thing depends on your child and how flexible they can be without being a cranky nightmare. I went away with friends and their kids tended to have a longer midday nap while it was really hot and then they stayed up later for dinner and some evenings fell asleep in the buggy while we were out.

They are usually easy to buy in Greece including Pampers and local brands but check how close the nearest supermarket is to your resort.

Honestly having your parents come along is the biggest gamechanger, 4 pairs of hands makes all the difference! We just took our 14 month old to France with my mum and it was great! One thing to note is they do tend to get much more tired than they do at home because of all the extra stimulation. Our DD typically has one nap but on hols she needed two and was absolutely spent by the evening.

Also, make sure you pack all of your LO's absolute essentials as hand luggage - our suitcase got lost on a trip to Austria earlier in the year and it was a disaster. Of course things can be bought once you're there but running around looking for emergency clothes, bibs etc does not make for a relaxing start to the trip!

You'll have a blast though - it's a great age to travel because they actually really have fun and engage :)

Also pack at least a clean top for yourselves in your hand luggage in case they throw up on your or spill food etc.

You’ll have a great time, I always see people on here saying holidays with LO’s aren’t worth it but that’s honestly never been our experience. I think we learnt that most things you can buy over there, if you’re going somewhere touristy. We bought all our nappies, wipes, suncream and pool toys over in Spain rather than packing them. We also tried to go with the flow as much as possible, let them graze through the day rather then proper meals and we knew LO would be having late nights so we’d push the day time nap back as late as possible to accommodate this. On the plane we had books, iPad, snacks etc to keep them entertained. We took grandparents too and it was brilliant, my dad has always said if the kids are happy and occupied then everyone else is happy and it really stuck with me because it’s true. Hope you have an amazing holiday.

Four adults and one baby that will be so easy!! Presumably you can look after your baby at home on your own?

A rubber ring for the pool, that's it

I always took a few new toys so they had something different and interesting. Think waterplay, stickers etc
Get a uv all in one swim suit or two for playing outside - less areas to cover in sunscreen
Swim nappies for the pool
Lots of snacks for the plane. Drinking when taking off/landing can help with ear pressure.
A very small change mat for the plane and out and about is useful
Don't expect them to stay interested in anything for very long - an hour in/around the pool, then move onto a play area, then 30 minutes on the beach etc. We always returned to the apartment for at least a couple of hours at lunchtime and encouraged a long nap.
Take the buggy with you in the evening and with luck they will fall asleep after dinner. If not, you may have to stick closer to their normal routine.
We had great holidays with ours when they were small - it won't be like before kids, but put them first and you can all have a decent break.
Have a great time!

Thank you all so so much for your comments
I’m so glad a lot of you have positive experiences!

Thanks for all the tips! If anymore come to mind please let me know :)

Bump

Hoping to bump this thread for more tips a tricks for holiday quickly approaching :)

I always get husband to take baby for a walk at 5pm so they can nap while I get ready and then he gets ready and I get baby ready and then dinner at 7. Means we can have a nice dinner and then come back between 9-10 for bed

Rash vest and bottoms easier than an all in one for nappy/swim nappy changing.
Don't go near the pool too early as if it's freezing until afternoon you are never going to persuade a toddler they can't go in.
Expect normal schedules to go awry and just go with it.
Let your parents have a night off too so they get a break!

Thank you!

All advice welcome!

it’s Greece - Corfu we are going to travelling from manchester x

I also take tea towels / washing up
liquid so I can wash up bottles/ baby cutlery / water cups etc depending on age

If you feel comfortable in giving the hotel name maybe someone has been there and can offer really specific advice, like best room locations, don't do this or that, meal tips etc.

Hotel is called in - Roda Beach Resort and spa in Corfu xx