Which baby items did you actually use on holiday?

[trrk]

I'm lousy at packing light anyway and now with a baby (11 months) there seems to be so many things we could take on our first sun holiday. Which items of these (and anything not listed) did you use? Which were a waste of space and money?

Foldable highchair (eg the ones from Jojo Bebe Maman)
Other weaning stuff (coverall bibs, plastic suction plates and spoons, sippy cups)
Baby sunglasses
Sun covers for car windows.
Baby swim float (the type they sit in)
Baby beach tent - sounds useful but doesn't seem packable
Baby beach shoes or other footwear like sandals (not currently crawling or walking but could be by then and we don't currently have any footwear for her).
Baby wetsuit in case pool/sea are still quite cold.
Toys - just a couple of favourites or more?

Definately taking a sun cover for the stroller, full body UV swimsuits, baby safe suncream and sun hats (although she will probably refuse to wear them).

It will be a Greek Island (not a remote one but probably doesn't have a great range of shops) in June (temp late 20s to early 30s). Mix of beach and sightseeing by rental car. Not a resort, just small hotels and apartments with a small pool (not a childrens pool so don't know how warm it will be).

Foldable highchair (eg the ones from Jojo Bebe Maman)- I wouldn't bother with this, just feed them in the buggy/on your lap/on the floor/in a restaurant that has highchairs.

Other weaning stuff (coverall bibs, plastic suction plates and spoons, sippy cups) - yes, but you only need a max of two of each.

Baby sunglasses - I've never known a baby to keep them on, but probably worth taking just in case.

Sun covers for car windows. - enquire with the rental company to see if they have them first.

Baby swim float (the type they sit in) - yes invaluable imo.

Baby beach tent - sounds useful but doesn't seem packable - the baby will need to be in shade so either take a.pop-up tent or stick to beaches where you can rent an umbrella.

Baby beach shoes or other footwear like sandals (not currently crawling or walking but could be by then and we don't currently have any footwear for her). - no I wouldn't bother with this.

Baby wetsuit in case pool/sea are still quite cold. - no, just don't take them in if it's too cold for them.

Toys - just a couple of favourites or more? - enough to keep them occupied for two flights, all meals, car journeys and playtime....so quite a selection! Lots of small ones is best so you can rotate them

A single fitted bedsheet can be useful to use as a play space on the beach so they're not just eating sand the whole time. Lay it out upside down so the the sides are making walls and put something in each corner to keep it still; sand free play area for baby. This is only useful if they're not moving though!

Something not on your list - Calpol. My friends went to Italy and couldn't get it anywhere.

Useful things we have taken - baby rubber ring/ float, blackout blind for windows (Tommy tippee travel one), spare bottom sheet for cot incase they went the other one - take one they have already slept in so it smells like their bed x

To add to calpol, a baby thermometer- you obviously can buy abroad but after an experience with the baby having a temperature at night and not being able to go get one till the morning leading to a lot of stress - make sure you pack one just in case. I was kicking myself! X

Yes calpol, and a first aid stuff like savlon ect. Talc is good for getting sand off skin after a day at the beach.

we have never taken a stroller, a high chair, plates or spoons, baby sunglasses, sun covers for a car, baby swim float, baby wetsuit, or full body uv suits.

we have always taken their regular swimwear, a sun hat or two, sun cream. The little pop up tents have always been good to make a little den, play in as well as for beach, so I’d definitely have one of those. I’d expect just to take regular footwear but some of those little slip on sock/shoe things with rubber base could be good.

we never took a stroller as too restrictive for us but our baby carrier had built in sun protection and was always fab so I’d make sure to take that. We just use any high chair or flat chair to put them on, but I’d recommend some kind of picnic mat which they can just sit on to eat and you can use at the beach.

we didn’t take toys other than special lovers and I can’t think why not now but it’s probably because I would be carrying it all for multiple dc etc, they’d always pick things up like crayons and all sorts along the way anyway.

travel cots have always been a total nightmare for my dc who have all refused to sleep in them at most ages but they can be useful as a kind of playpen if you are staying in a hotel.

ive never used savlon or talc on holiday or not, not sure about the calpol, are you allowed to take it on the plane? I’d check.

one thing you will definitely need is a wet bag, I’m sure you already have one for nappies or wipes or clothes but a separate and waterproof bag for all the wet stuff. These are endlessly useful with DC anyway! Do you have washing facilities? Those little wearable towel poncho things are also great with DC.

Special loveys!!

we did not take lovers

Honestly I used all of those things, plus swim nappies, water toys, hooded towel, baby safe mosquito repellent, and spill-free snack bowls.

I also agree with taking Calpol (I'd pack a bottle and then also take the sachets on the plane in case of ear trouble) and I would also take Piriton liquid in case of mosquito bites/any allergic reactions.

I was also prepared to do literally anything I could to get her to drink. So I bought new 'interesting' drink bottles (one was one of those with a spiral straw attached to the outside, I think one had Elsa on it, etc etc) and she wanted them all the time. If you have space and you're self catering maybe consider taking an ice lolly mould so you can make baby safe ice pops etc.

Most restaurants have high chairs, use their plates and cutlery.

Take bibs
Take swim float
The beach tent is good but probably not practical (i use mine for the dog)
Don't bother with sunshades unless you are on a road trip.
Toys suitable for plane plus books for plane

Take calpol, plasters, mosquitoe repellent, bite cream, anti bac wipes. Snacks for journey.

Then relax, they have babies in Greece! You can buy things there if needed

First holiday with DC1 he was 8 months.
Foldable highchair (eg the ones from Jojo Bebe Maman) Can't picture this. We did take a cloth one that you tie onto a seat. Used it once. Most places have high chairs, if not lap is fine
Other weaning stuff (coverall bibs, plastic suction plates and spoons, sippy cups) We took one cup for water. Otherwise just used cutlery etc that was there. Mostly fed him from our plates plus a few pouches and rice cakes that we bought there
Baby sunglasses Ha! Bought some of these. He wore them for about 25 seconds
Sun covers for car windows. We weren't in a cat on that holiday but I doubt I'd bother packing these
Baby swim float (the type they sit in) Yes, this was very useful and popular
Baby beach tent - sounds useful but doesn't seem packable Never had one, seems like a faff
Baby beach shoes or other footwear like sandals (not currently crawling or walking but could be by then and we don't currently have any footwear for her). Mine were late walkers but I wouldn't bother buying anything like that now in case not walking and it's a waste of money
Baby wetsuit in case pool/sea are still quite cold. Nah, just a rashsuit and limited time in the water
Toys - just a couple of favourites or more? Just a couple, and some favourite books