First holiday with baby

[LauraD16]

Good evening,
I am taking my 15 month old son for his first holiday in the next 2 weeks and just wanted to know what tips and hints you guys might have and also any must have items to pack.
Thank you

We used those swim sun protection suits the whole time we were outside during the day. We took 3 of them all with hats.

Yes, hats! Lots! Generally putting suncream on babies can get fraught, so those all covering swimsuits minimise the amount you both have to go through!!

Are you going long or short haul?

I’d take lots of light and small toys - inflatable beach balls, stacking cups, small cars, balloons (massive winner in our house).

Lots of snacks for the plane, filling non-sugary ones like bananas, that could replace a meal if things go wrong at any point!

Also a really well packed nappy bag for the plane.....spare clothes in a plastic sandwich bag (you can put the ruined ones back in the plastic bag and zip it up if needed). Ditto spare top for you, just in case. Lots of nappies and wipes and bags. Calpol.

Take a comforter or dummy that they can suck on during takeoff and landing to avoid ears being uncomfortable.

We took our pram and were able to walk to the plane steps with it, so so helpful!

Also we took stuff to make bedtime feel more homely - their own flat sheet, little projector, and I even mixed some of our usual fabric softener with water in a spray bottle and sprayed it round the room at bedtime to make it smell like home. That probably sounds like overkill, but I’m certain it helps my small ones when everything is new and overwhelming!!

Good luck, I’m sure you’ll have a blast!

Watching with interest as I will be taking our LO to florida in January he will be months

Washing powder tablets in a zip lock bag. Uv protection swim suit. Umbrella buggy and sun shade (many airlines will let you take it in the cabin and crucially it will fit in the hire car!). But leave strict rules and routines at home, just relax and enjoy - we spent many an evening in restaurants until late with one or other asleep in the double buggy, and one kid "drawing" on our laps. Chunky crayons and a colouring book might just about work for you depending on fine motor development

I go back and forth with a 2 year old on a 7h flight about 4 times a year to a very hot country. I like to pack light for the flight, I take a few nappies and a dummy and pjs (we prefer taking the night flight as he sleeps the whole time). I take a new McDonalds or magazine toy for the flight as they often go missing so don't want to lose his favourites. Every flight I've been on carries a special kids meal and they have spare Ella's meals/pouches in case your kid is sleeping through meal time and wakes up hungry. If they have a soft play in the airport get there early and get all the energy out there.

Once there I go with his cues, even if that means a 5pm danger nap. He sleeps differently with the heat and catches up eventually. If you are in a hotel try and get one with a separate lounge area otherwise you spend a lot of time being very quiet in the dark!

Above all have fun! It's a very different holiday but I love travelling with my son.

You can get soft waterproof shoes to wear by the pool or at the beach so they don't burn their feet.
www.happylittlesoles.co.uk/slipfree-jack-pool-shoes.html

Snooze shade.

Swim nappies as they are expensive abroad.

Sunsuits and hat

Few new toys to keep them entertained on the plane

Snacks. Loads of wet wipes.

A small packable sling for when you plan as you normally get your buggy back after passport control etc.