Share your tips for planning a family holiday with a baby or toddler with Thomas Cook - £300 voucher to be won NOW CLOSED

[JustineBMumsnet]

Going on holiday with a baby or toddler in tow means you’re likely having to plan for things you’ve never even considered before. Whether you’re new to holidays with a baby or toddler or feel like you’ve got too much experience, Thomas Cook would like to hear the tips you have for planning a family holiday with a baby or toddler.

Here’s what Thomas Cook has to say: “Going away with a baby or toddler can, at times, be a little stressful; there are lots of readers out there with some great tips to help make things easier for other mums, meaning that everyone can enjoy their well-earned time away”

Do you find that it’s easiest to book a package holiday so that the big stuff is done all in one go? Perhaps you have tips for making a flight run smoothly? Or maybe you have ideas for keeping them entertained when you’ve had to scale down their toy collection for the week?

Whatever your tips, share them below to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&CS apply

Organise a child friendly hotel and choose a flight time that fits in with your babies sleep routine

Plan by all means but young children can read when you get stressed when things go awry. So chill out......

planning and preparation are key- also talk to your little one about what is going to be happening so they are ready for a change in their routine

pre planning !!!! Take more than what you think!! x

Dont expect the holidays to be the same as before the kids, and they'll need far more luggage than you

Probably best not to venture too far because travelling with a little one can be so stressful which defeats the object of having a holiday.

Think ahead, and let everyone, whether on the plane or the train or the hotel, know what you'll need

We fly frequently with DD and the Babyzen Yoyo pushchair has made a huge difference! The fold is so small it’s permitted as carry-on luggage so no hanging around after landing to wait for the buggy to be brought up to the aircraft doors (if the airport even offers this- most places we fly to will only deliver them back to the baggage reclaim). We’ve also flown through 2 major airports in the south of France recently that haven’t allowed any pushchairs, except for the YoYo, to be taken beyond bag drop/through security. Both promised loaner strollers once through to departures- in one these didn’t materialise, in the other they were baggage trolled with a supermarket style seat, totally unsuitable for younger children. We witnessed many families struggling and were very glad to have to the YoYo. For younger babies a sling is also a must!

For bottle-fed babies I second Milton tablets and ready made formula cartons. When going through security at the airport always put baby liquids in a tray on their own- they will need additional screening and anything else in the same tray will also get the extra treatment too so it speeds things up not to have your handbag etc searched as well!

In flight, plenty of (new) toys, popular programmes loaded on to the iPad and snacks. Always pack enough formula milk (if applicable) for the entire day in case of a mega delay as you won’t be able to get to your checked luggage.

Regarding accommodation, apartments/villas are so much easier. If it has to be a hotel then springing for a suite is so worth it. It makes all the difference to be able to put DC to bed, close the door and enjoy a glass of wine/room service.

However my main advice would be to relax and enjoy your holiday! Children are remarkably adaptable, the PP who rightly pointed out that locals have children too totally hit the nail on the head.

We are flying for the first time in March with 3 under 4 years. We are packing plenty of snacks, colouring books and a few toys. Also going all inclusive is perfect for my fussy eaters.

This is NOT just about YOU & your partner....don't assume you'll be able to read/sleep on the beach!

I always have my son in mind when booking . I look for a child friendly holiday with lots of activities as if your child's not happy you're not going to have a good time

We've never been able to afford abroad and UK holidays suit us fine.
I always lower expectations, it will never be perfect. The kids will eat rubbish and stay up late.. they're allowed!.
We always travel early doors and pack swimming costumes and towels separately so we can use the pool etc before we get into our accommodation.

plan and plan, make lists and make more lists

all inclusive saves alot of hassle and gives peace of mind

Book things seperately - you can get much more spacious accommodation for the same price or not much more - makes it a far better holiday than being cramped up!

Pack your little ones case well in advance and keep it closed once the job is done, then you can forget about it.
Use a check list.
Purchase all in one sun protect outfits with matching hats for little ones in addition to their sun lotion.
Consider offering a pacifier on planes because it helps with ear pain.

Make sure you have a bit of knowledge of the area you are going. Where the closest shop is, doctors, restaurant etc. Will be so useful for those first few days where you might need things.

A detailed list is the key to this. And if holidaying in this country plan for both good weather and bad.

We are going with 2 babies, as I haven’t done it yet I can’t say how it’s going to go. I guess organisation is key

I preferred booking self catering when my children were little. Partly because of their food allergies, it meant I could do the shopping and feel in control.
I love Northern Europe for child friendly holidays - Scandinavia, Germany, Belgium etc.

Packing wise - don’t forget to pack them some toys. Familiar ones plus a couple of new ones. I bought a pack of matchbox cars for a holiday with my son when he was 2 and he spent every spare moment playing with them!

We thoroughly research the resort, the hotel, the room and the facilities around us before booking. Getting much easier now that they are getting older but we still ensure that we can get everything we might need easily.

Search on Tripadvisor for reviews from families with children

I make sure I make a list of what needs to be packed, always have to be prepared with little ones. I do my research before going so can roughly plan an itenery, all planned round my little ones and bring plenty of snacks and entertainment, just incase

We’ve been travelling abroad with dd since she was 3 weeks old.
If formula fed, ready made formula makes a holiday so much easier, it doesn’t even need to be kept in the fridge (if you buy the individual ones). Yes it takes up weight in the suitcase but I think it’s worth it for the ease when away.
Packing lists are essential. I adjust the list each time we go so it is up to date with dd’s current needs (but means I don’t have to start from scratch each time!)
If your accommodation only has a shower, when tiny wash in the sink but our little one wasn’t keen on showers until around a year old (and didn’t fit in a sink) so we got a cheap paddling pool about a metre diameter which fit in the bottom of the shower cubicle- was great for taking outside and having a contained space to play in (and could be moved into the shade easily). We got ours from a pound shop so very cheap!
Take a sling for the plane journey! Ideal for getting off when you sometimes don’t get the buggy back until the carousel but also for dealing with an unsettled baby on board. Very handy when away too!
Buy formula/wipes/nappies at the airport - really handy feature most airports have (check out boots and Superdrug - but be aware boots sometimes don’t let you pick up on a Sunday!)
Snacks for toddlers on the plane (and at the airport/waiting for buses/ect)

Toy wise we found pom-poms great - put a little net and tub in and she amused herself for ages.
Finger puppets don’t take up too much space either.
She loves stickers and coloured paper and pencils.
We also got a paintbrush with water in the handle and a magic painting book - went down well.
All of these were packaged in zipper wallets so we could have them all out in the room but then just take 1 or 2 out with us.
Included a new bath toy (to use in the pool too) and favourite soft toy (though did loose it once - luckily it had just taken a trip through the laundry and was returned!)

I would make sure I have enough entertainment for the plane and make sure they're tired so hopefully they sleep well.