Essentials for Travelling with a Baby. Its the Summer holidays and we’ve just booked a holiday abroad! I am so excited I’ve been wanting to go away all year, but then it suddenly occurred to me – we will have a three-month-old when we travel! Flying with a baby is a whole new experience for us. Although we have been away with Monkey even flying transatlantic last year, we never flew with him when he was a baby. Eek!
Essentials for Travelling with a Baby
The first time we flew with Monkey it was just before he turned two and we went to Turkey. We picked our flight times carefully and since he was still napping he spent most of the flight sleeping. Unfortunately on the way back we were delayed so entertained Monkey in the soft play. Big mistake, he did something to his foot and came out crying, but we assumed it all okay when he went back in after a cuddle.
Needless to say, he wore himself out but when he woke on the plane he howled! Panicked as a little out of character we quickly realised his foot had swollen up. Poor thing – ever tried changing a toddler on a plane when he can’t stand up? I wouldn’t recommend it. We headed straight to A&E once we had landed, thankfully after x-rays and a long wait the verdict was that it wasn’t broken just sprained. Not really the ideal end to a holiday. For the record that (touch wood) has been his first and last injury resulting from soft play – typical.
Our flight to Canada with Monkey when he was three actually turned out to be a real breeze. I wrote a post about my top tips for flying long haul with a three-year-old and to sum it up in one word – Play Dough! Honestly the best inflight entertainment you can buy.
Our first time flying with a baby
But what about flying with a baby? Hopefully, we have made our lives a little easier by choosing a destination that is only two hours away, our flight times are sensible none of this flying late into the night and we’ve gone with a well-known company to an all-inclusive resort.
The only thing we can’t control is the weather, although warm it shouldn’t be too hot as we are staying in Northern Europe. We have also upgraded our and Monkey’s luggage to give us plenty of packing space for Kipper. As a baby, he doesn’t get any of his own so I am hoping our extra weight will be enough.
Naturally, my thoughts have now turned to what I need to stock up on, this is by no means an extensive list, it’s just some thoughts around products that will make my life easier while we are away.
-
What are we taking with us?
- As Kipper will be three months old and is a large baby I am going to get him a Floatseat. I can’t wait to see Kipper’s face when he goes in the pool for the first time.
- Outfits, we don’t have any Summer clothing in age 3-6 months. As Monkey was born two months later in the year. Kipper will be out of the Summer clothing we do have. So I intend on stocking up on these lovely little romper suits.
- Koo-di Sun and Sleep Pop-Up Travel Bassinette are so on my list for a mere £25. Not only will be a great place for Kipper to sleep and save me from having to worry about the cleanliness of the travel cot. It will also provide a safe space for nap time by the pool and at the beach.
- Our baby carrier, being a second child Kipper spends a lot of time in his sling. I can not imagine it being any different while on holiday. It’s an easy way to transport him around the airports and means we can check the buggy in with the suitcases, rather than juggling it to the gate.
- Muslin Blankets, the item I buy all my first-time mummy friends. I could not live without these. Although hot outside the hotel room will have air conditioning so these will provide warmth when needed. Along with all the other uses I wrote about in my Giant Muslin post.
- SnoozeShade Original – Stroller Blind I can’t live without this in the Summer, we had one for Monkey which went everywhere with us. Being universal it will fit pretty much all strollers as long as you can thread the velcro through. With all the publicity on social media surrounding using blankets for this purpose, it’s defiantly worth investing in and it provides UPF50+ sun protection.
What baby essentials do you pack?
Of course, I will also be packing other essentials such as mosquito nets. Repellant (a natural one suitable for babies and Monkey’s skin). Swim nappies and the highest factor sun cream I can find! Do you have any products you couldn’t live without while away? I would love to hear your essentials in the comments below.
.
51 Responses
Play Doh! I never thought about that! We fly to Oz on Thursday with our 2 year old. Eeek!
Honestly take it! Best thing ever I didn’t think we would be allowed to take it through security especially as I had wrapped it up but had no issues at all!!
Aw. Cute adorable stuff. 🙂
Oh exciting, I hope that you have a fab holiday. For our two they always had the same bear or snuggle blanket in their cot with them, so we always took that and travel black-out blinds are really useful too 🙂 #marvmondays
Have a great time! You will be absolutely fine, they are easier to take on the plane when they are babies. I take my snooze shade everywhere too, best thing I have brought. x #MarvMondays
Great post! I’m planning on flying with a baby soon so your list of essentials is helpful! Have a lovely holiday!:-)
It’s amazing how much stuff you need with a small person. My hubby and I share a bag and OB has about 7!
#MarvMondays
Oh yes good idea, Kipper’s not attached to anything yet but does like his Muslins!! Thanks for popping by X
I hope so, figuring will just pop him on if he gets angst! Thanks for popping by X
Aww thanks hope your trip goes well too, thanks for popping by
Ha ha yes I have a feeling we are going to be the same! Thanks for stopping by X
That basinett looks great, something I will have to buy for next time we go abroad. #MarvMondays
I’ll let you know how I get on with it – seems like a great idea. We were at the beach today and I was thinking how useful it would be if we had it!
When we headed off abroad earlier this year I was particularly pleased that we bought and packed a cold water steriliser. Travel cots are great and can double as play pens but I do like the travel bassinet you feature. #MarvMondays
Great list of baby travel essentials. We’re travelling on our first family holiday next month so Ill definitely be coming back to this post! The travel bassinett looks like something worth checking out too. We were considering taking our Coconababy and some microwavable sterilising bags 🙂 Thanks for sharing this on #MarvMondays. Emily
I can’t help but think how brave people are travelling with babies when I can barely get out of the house, haha. Hope you have a fab time! #bloggerclubuk
You are very brave!! But also very organised-that is a great list of essentials-the muslin blankets are fab aren’t they?! And I love the bassinet, that really will be fantastic for portable napping! We haven’t attempted flying with our children yet! We are going to do it early next summer, as it will be the last opportunity we will have to go out of school holidays as the eldest will be starting school in the September!
I hope you have a brilliant time!
#bigpinklink
Oh wow how exciting, I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time away! I agree Muslins cloths are an absolute essential! #BloggerClubUK
Great tips, I have a 5 month old and we’ve opted for a staycation as I just couldn’t handle the stress and packing! #bigpinklink
We didn’t take ours abroad when they were really little. Packing must be hard, so much they need. Love the Koodi pop up. My sister has just bought the bigger version for her son for travelling too. #bloggerclubuk
In hindsight I actually found it easier travelling with a baby – we took our first flight when my daughter was just over three months and she slept most of the way thanks to the white noise in the plane! A baby carrier was brilliant and something to suck or drink for take-off helped with any ear pain too.
Oops #bloggerclubuk
I can’t imagine the planning that goes into travelling with a baby. I have that Chicco baby carrier and I love it! Have a wonderful holiday!
#BloggerClubUK
A little piece of simple advice can go a long way for people. Play dough – that might take my mind off my fear of flying! Have a lovely holiday! Alison x #BloggerClubUK
Have a great time! I’ll admit we havent travelled with our little one yet because its so daunting but I really shouldnt be nervous. She’s almost three for flup sake! #BloggerClubUK
Great list of items! We just used the Koo-di bassinet! It was great – so compact – recommend. The mattress is a bit thin but we put a play mat underneath to give a bit of cushioning. The snooze shade looks brill…think I need one of them. It’s a great age to travel. Mine just slept on the flight/in the car. I packed waaay too many clothes for baby…they really don’t need much! Enjoy!!
Ooo will look into that thanks! And thank you for stopping by x
Oh wow have a great time! Yes sterilising bags are a must – must put those on my list xx
Aw thanks lovely and thanks for stopping by X
Oh I am sure you’ll have a great time, we were going to do the same until Kipper came along, so have ended up in school hols anyway! Despite Monkey not actually starting until Sept. Thanks for stopping by X
Couldn’t live without them! Thanks so much for stopping by X
I don’t blame you, I’m sure I will be surrounded by list after list the day before we fly! Thanks so much for stopping by X
I’m dreading it a little! Ooo didn’t know they did a larger size? Thanks for stopping by X
That’s great to know thanks :). Do you know if they will let me breast feed on take off? If not he will take a bottle but then I need to be organised enough to express! X
That’s good to hear 🙂 thanks so much and for stopping by xx
Honestly its the best, if you do give it a go and it works please let me know. Thank you for stopping by x
I think travelling with a baby is actually much easier… well it may depend on the baby! I travelled a few times when E was very small but would be lots of challenges now as autism means he finds place like airports and things like waiting extremely distressing. That’s a lovely list of things 🙂 #bigpinklink #BloggerClubUk
Hi Clare, I hope you have a wonderful holiday and I’m sure Kipper will be fine with any heat, baby’s seem to cope better than us with the heat as long as they are hydrated. It’s been so long since I traveled with a baby that I can’t really remember what my essentials were (blanked it out!). Al thoug I do remember that my daughter was three weeks old when we first flew with her and a baby carrier was a must and as they got older their tatty old comfort toys were treated like jewels.
xx
We took our 3 yr old transatlantic for a family wedding – I was really worried but needn’t have been it worked out fine :). Good luck when you do, thanks for stopping by X
I have a tendency to overpack clothes so will bare that in mind!! Will remember the play mat tip too 🙂 thanks for stopping by xx
Good list! & good luck! Never flew with a baby, would have been terrified! (But then I’m terrified of flying full stop!) #bigpinklink
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you’re right about travelling with a baby! there’s some great UK places? We really should spend more time exploring here too. Thank you for stopping by xx
Oh wow 3 weeks that’s super impressive! I somehow managed to get monkey to opt for muzzies as a comforter, and he would take any colour or size. Made my life a lot easier – hoping to do the same with Kipper – although they each have a mind of their own so you never know!! Thank you for stopping by xx
Thanks lovely, hopefully we will be fine. Ah yes could understand not wanting too if you are not keen yourself. Thanks for stoping by xx
We’re going on our first flight next year and I’m incredibly nervous! We haven’t got a baby, it’ll be two toddlers but the snoozeshade will still come in handy for ours x
Good luck I’m sure you will be fine take play-Doh for the flight! Best entertainment ever kept monkey amused for ages when we flew transatlantic. Thanks for stopping by xx
Great advice huni, we never flew with Baby as a baby, but it was nerve wracking enough when she was 2! Thanks for linking up to #TheList x
Have fun! Definitely easier to travel with them as babies than toddlers. Just fed Ava to sleep on the plane. We love our snoozeshade too.
Thanks for linking to #picknmix
I think it’s probably harder when they are older I was really stressed with Monkey! I’m hoping Kipper will sleep most of the way – famous last words!! Thanks for hosting xx
Good idea, will be giving that a go. Thanks for hosting and stopping by x