Abroad with 11 month old anxiety

[GreyLemur]

Booked go to Mallorca with husband and 11 month old and suddenly really anxious about it.

Come away to Wales for the weekend with family and the car was jam packed...how am I meant to go to Spain with 2 suitcases??

I thought baby might be walking and eating better by now but everything goes on the floor and he loves his crawling but no walking.

Positive experiences of taking a 11 month old away only please? Husband said we're not cancelling!

4 nights, hotel room with separate lounge, hotel breakfast included, flying Jet2

We’ve travelled with our 3 and 1 year old long haul a few times. Trip to singapore coming up.
The flight itself I tend to let them watch as much screen time as they want. Giving a bottle/ bf has helped with take off and landing. I do get flustered when they cry on flights but everyone has always been nothing but kind and understanding.

What bulky items do you feel you need to take? You can always buy things like nappies, wipes etc out there. For 4 nights I would take 8 outfits (probably 6 babygrows and vests and two nice outfits) plus 2 overall bibs (wipe down at the end of the day), nappies wipes snacks and bottles. travel toiletries. May need to do a wash out there but I’m sure that will be available. Usually you can roll the pushchair right up to boarding, and board first. If you have a YoYo or similar you can carry it on as hand luggage.

Is it a resort with kids activities etc? Are you more worried about the luggage, flight, or the holiday itself?

Why do you need so much stuff??

i can always fit my babies stuff in same case as mine and never need much except a few outfits and pjs

what are you thinking you’ll need to pack??

We took dd1 on holiday at that age and she was doted on by waiters who quite happily cleared up after her in the restaurants. Make sure you take a rashie suit and hats it will be fine

I did Dubai with a 11 month old on my own, if you have a husband who can hold the baby while you do stuff it will be so easy. Plus you don’t have to cook.

@hkathyTravel cot and pram are taken for free so I'm not so worried about those. I actually hadn't thought of buying nappies and wipes there...my anxious brain doesn't think logically like that!

Its just a hotel rather than a resort. I think he will enjoy the flight as he loves people watching. I guess he loves crawling and getting his energy out and I don't know where he will be able to do that safely.

This is my packing list...

Are you sure the accommodation can’t supply a travel cot?

And you don’t need a groegg, bath thermometer, bubble bath, washing up basin (!), storage pots etc.

Towels presumably the hotel provides.

What are bath wipes?

@MidnightPatrolI don't mind taking the travel cot as we will check it in for free. He's a terrible sleeper and I know he will sleep in his own travel cot.
I use cheeky wipes to clean him, mainly in the bath, so that's what I mean by bath wipes.

This is really helpful as I thought I needed to take his own hooded towel...but of course a hotel towel will dry him too. I think I get too worked up about it and can't think logically!

You won't need bubble bath, vitamins (four days won't hurt), penguin thermometer (use your wrist), you'll probably only need one sleeping bag, take minimal toys, like 2-3 at most. Definitely don't need a washing up basin, the hotel will provide sheets, you probably don't need the groegg.
Doesn't say what time of year your going, but if it's soon, you probably don't need the pram fan.

Remember they also have babies there, so you can probably buy things there if you need them.

Reading my packing list, I realise I have 3 types of thermometer

1 baby, 2 adults. Easy peasy.
Just go and have a great time!

We travelled extensively with our little one, it was always fine - you can make it up as you go along, don't worry!

Also - no swimming stuff or suncream on your list!

Also, from memory, I’m pretty sure you can do a click & collect at Boots airside (departure lounge). Handy for nappies, wipes, formula, etc.
Not sure if they still do it but worth looking into!

@Higgledypiggledy864Ah thank you! Yes definitely need suncream!

It's ages since I had a baby of that age, but we travelled a lot and never travelled with a cot or a baby bath. Could you just stand holding the baby in the shower for 4 nights? Or if there is a bath in the room, you can just sit in the bath with her? I am sure we only took a baby monitor, grobags, clothes, nappies and an ergo carrier.

you don’t need vitamins for 4 days

or bubble bath or a towel or thermometer

just a quick rinse will be enough for a few days

I’d leave the travel cot and just take your own sheet to use (I know you say he will only sleep in yours but most travel cots are the same)

gro egg not needed but it’s only small so if you find it helpful it’s not hard to squeeze in I guess

i jus take one sleep bag and I’d wash it if needed as It would dry fast outside anyway

you’re taking a basin??

We took DS away to Mallorca at 11 months for 7 nights and that was our first holiday. We’ll be going back for the 4th year running this year. We managed with 2 suitcases but we had little stuff to be honest. Just enough for each day and not as much choice/variety as normal so we could pack all the baby stuff we needed. It was fine and each year his requirements have been less. It is a bit of an effort getting it all together, you just have to ask yourself what’s really important and what you can manage without/get from the hotel. I think that will differ for each family. For example I took a lot of food pouches with me but only 2 bottles so we were washing those in the sink a lot. The hotel provided kids bubble bath which was fine for 7 days. We took all our nappies with us stuffed around clothes and used the extra space coming back for gifts.

From the list, if it were me:
outfits, socks, sleep suit, nappies, big muslin, vitamins, wipes, toys, hairbrush, fan, bib. Swimwear, sun cream, hat.
The big muslin can double as a blanket or shade. You will have bath things at the hotel, or can buy a small kids shower gel there. I would just shower with the baby. Note -if you are checking in the pram then you have to carry him around until boarding.
Sometimes you can get a good deal on lounge access - depending on the airport they’ll have some nice kids areas for him to crawl around (he might even be toddling by then, which can keep him and you occupied).

But mainly just try to relax and enjoy your first holiday as a family :)

Also - this is annoying and it is international women’s day - but when DH has the kids he’s had compliments from passengers for being super dad 🙃 so that’s your opportunity to let your partner share the mental load.

@hkathy Thanks, I'll probably keep the pram until the gate, but I also have a carrier for him.

It's Birmingham Airport and never looker for a kids area as never needed it before but I'll have a look!

https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/at-the-airport/airport-facilities/sky-zone/
it says 3-10 but you can just sit with him and let him crawl around.

Also lounge access is about £40 if you want to relax a bit. https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/at-the-airport/lounges/