Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Family holiday tips and advice

8 replies

BlueBritish · 15/01/2022 13:06

Hi there, me and my partner have booked our first family holiday to Spain in April (so not too warm). We will be taking our DD who will be 22mo at the time. Our flight is at 6:30am so will have to be in the airport 2 hrs prior to flight so potentially up at 3:30am. I just wanted to know if anyone has any tips on making the journey and the holiday easier for everyone and what should I be packing. Also what are the rules on taking strollers etc on the plane.
Anything would be gratefully appreciated right now as feeling slightly anxious about it.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
RussianSpy101 · 15/01/2022 13:11

You leave your buggy at the bottom of the plane before you go up the stairs so that’s handy.

We always book early morning flights so you’ve done well there. We wake the DC up and get them really excited in the car. Breakfast in the airport. They then sleep on the plane.

Snacks & water for the plane along with some small toys she really likes or some new ones, incase she doesn’t sleep.

the one thing I’ve always packed with children is several oversized white T-shirts to cover them up in the day. Just buy cheap so you can leave them there if they get ruined. Easy to throw on over swimsuits for naps and lunch etc.

Enjoy!!

RussianSpy101 · 15/01/2022 13:12

Packing ;
Plenty of wipes
Nappies
Her favourite snacks from home incase she isn’t keen on the food
Mosquito net for the buggy
Blanket for the evenings as it may be chilly when she’s in the pram
Her own sleeping bag / duvet cover if she struggles to sleep without them
Plenty of wide brimmed hats for the day

SilenceOfThePrams · 15/01/2022 13:25

Put her to bed the night before in travel clothes then get yourselves up and the car fully loaded before lifting her last minute from cot to car seat. If you put a hot water bottle on her seat as you load the suitcases the seat will be warm and you might get away without waking her at all.

Don’t take anything irreplaceable if you can possibly avoid it, but if she has comfort items then keep them with you not in the hold, and label them if you can (cable tie with your address label around teddy’s neck).

If she’s used to a particular cereal or fond of a favourite snack, pack some. Take nappy rash cream and calpol and insect bite cream and plasters. Hopefully none of it needed but you don’t want to waste a day trying to find a pharmacy if it is. Sun cream and after sun too.

If your buggy folds then different airlines rules vary but you may be lucky enough to have it in the cabin and therefore ready for when you get off the plane. Otherwise it may have to be checked in - take a sling or a hip carrier so you can hold her easily. If you have a cloth sling you can use it to keep her safe in a dining chair too and corralled on a coach/bus transfer.

Put one of you in charge of her and the other in charge of passports and tickets etc.

Pack nappies across all your luggage not just in one suitcase in case one gets lost!

And take things slowly once you’re out there. She’s going to be interested in the stones and the gravel and the rubbish bins, in jumping in the tiny puddle and watching a lizard, and probably won’t care at all about all the things you’re interested in. So just enjoy the holiday for what it is.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Cdl84 · 15/01/2022 13:31

We wrapped up some really cheap toys and put snacks, crayons, etc in a new bag for the flight (similar age). Kept them entertained when they didn't sleep on the flight (despite being up at 2.30 to get similar timed flight) and had some things to play with once there. Download cartoons on your phone for flight too if needed. Get on plane at the last minute if possible.

gogohm · 15/01/2022 14:29

One, buy a lightweight reclining umbrella buggy if you don't have one, ideally with a sunshade (or umbrella) you can often take them on board if the cabin crew have space, reclining makes evenings better! If there's no space they tag it as collect at door of plane.

Infant sunscreen and rash vest, swim nappies, obviously. Try to relax and go with the flow, unless they have allergies just give them the available food eg tortilla was a favourite with mine, don't worry if it's not as perfect diet as normal. Ditto bedtime, just let them nap in the buggy in the evening (hence reclining) but if they want to dance then let them, have fond memories of my then 2.5 year old dancing in a jazz club on holiday, only children there (she's a musician now!) have a great trip

gogohm · 15/01/2022 14:32

Oh and remember they have babies in Spain too! In all seriousness you can buy anything you need there so try not to worry when packing.

Fallagain · 15/01/2022 14:35

My kid’s have never slept on a plane!
Order nappies at boots airside and put them inside the buggy bag with the buggy when you get on the plane.
Try out suncream in advance to make sure they are not allergic to particular brands.
Take familiar snacks.
Take 3 UV swim suits and get them to wear them all day so there is little skin to cover in sun cream.

BlueBritish · 16/01/2022 19:39

Thank you so much for the brilliant replies. I will be taking some of these tips and advice. I have also double checked about the strolled but looks like we can only take it to the gate when boarding plans then we won’t see it again until package collection on the other side.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread