TRAVELLING WITH A BABY - WHAT TO PACK

In April the four of us survived our first family holiday. I was working in Majorca so we decided to turn it into an excuse for our first proper trip away as our larger gang. I LOVE a good list, especially when it's an old-school list that I can strike things off with a pen as I go. After trawling through forums and articles online in the weeks before I came up with a list that I felt really covered everything; and, you know what, I think I did pretty well (if I do say so myself..)

Sylvie was three and a half months when we travelled, and she's exclusively bottle fed which meant extra planning had to go into formula, equipment, sterilisation and working out in advance exactly how we'd have the 'baby station' set up in our hotel room while we were away. We also had to consider what travel system we wanted to take, and how she'd sleep while away from home. Her being in a little routine for the first few months did help so we went away feeling like it was possible to get there in one piece and be able to set up a similar environment for her over there too.

Firstly, be prepared that getting you plus 'the stuff' over there is a full body work out in itself, and there was *a lot* to take (I genuinely thought we'd be able to get over there lighter than this, but we used 95% of what we took, the only things we didn't use were a few outfits). 

We decided to take the pram top instead of just the buggy top as Sylvie is still little enough that it's recommended that she lies completely flat when she sleeps during the day and we felt more comfortable with her in the pram for this. It also provided her with more shade and we just angled her throughout the day so that she was never in direct sunlight.

We also packed the Sleepyhead baby bed, which we put inside a travel cot while we were there. It also comes in its own travel bag which is handy. I think we could have gotten away without it (she doesn't sleep with it any more) but we wanted her bed to feel the same for her so hopefully she'd carry on sleeping - which she did. I also packed extra elasticated covers for it so they were easier to change and keep it clean and she often dribbles where her head goes.

One of the best purchases I made ahead of holiday was for the self-sterilising MAM bottles. We took our Tommee Tippee bottles and Milton tablets too but these MAM bottles were amazing and Sylvie took to them really well. We sterilised them at mealtimes in a microwave in the restaurant and it was so, so easy.

Another amazing tip I found in a forum is to pre-order baby formula and have it delivered to Boots at the airport, through security in the lounge. This was a total game changer and meant we didn't need to worry about space and weight in our cases with 10 days worth of milk. We also took 8 bottles of the ready made 200ml bottles in the baby bag which they just scanned through without any problems.

So, here's the boring bit. The actual list. Obviously some of it is personal to Sylvie but it was generally quite comprehensive for a bottle fed baby too; we used everything here over the ten days, so, for us, everything on this list was worth it! 

• Sleepyhead in its travel bag, with spare cot covers
• Comforter and a small toy (spot piggy above!)
• Baby 'GroBag' sleeping bag
• 7 x sleepsuits
• 5 x vests
• 6 x outfits
• Cardigan x 2
• Hooded sleepsuit for travel
• Summer hat x 2
• Nappies (we packed enough for the entire trip)
• Wipes and nappy sacks
• Bottle brush (we bought washing up liquid there)
• Milton sterilising tablets (we borrowed a basin from reception)
• Swim ring
• Milk powder (we packed one in case there were problems collecting formula from the airport)
• Buggy with buggy top and pram top
• Lightweight blanket
• Muslin cloths x 10
• Travel wash
• EHIC card for the baby
• Sun cream
• MAM self-sterilising bottles
• Sudocreme
• Socks x 4
• Swimming wetsuit and swim nappies
• Hooded towel
• Baby sling/carrier (this was a life-saver. When the buggy goes in the hold under the plane and you're out at the other end carrying your own bag and the baby bag, carrying the baby *on* you frees you up and makes everything so much easier. Also when we were getting through the airport on the way home, we loaded up the pram with smaller bags so they were easier to push and I carried the baby)
• Formula (collected at airport)
• In the baby changing bag we packed - 5 x Tommee Tippee bottles, 6 dummies with caps, 4 x muslin cloths, wipes, nappies, 3 x sleepsuits, 2 x vests, Baby Calpol, disposible changing mats and 8 x 200ml ready made formula bottles.

HOLIDAY SHOP

I may have got a little carried away when shopping for the girls (and especially Sylvie..) this year.. Here are some of my favourite things I've snapped up for them (/things I wish came in my size!)

1. LOVED a newborn size of this hooded onesie for Sylvie, and thought it would be really handy to grab another in a bigger size for travelling. I've got it a size above so she can wear a sleepsuit underneath it, and imagine it'll be perfect for being on a plane next month as it's not too bulky but still warm enough when the air con is on in the cabin. (H&M)

2. Bloomers. What can I say.. just so sweet and comfy. These are jersey and I bought them in ages 6 months and also for when she's 18 months for Summer next year. They were in the sale at La Redoute, so why the hell not. (La Redoute)

3. Not quite as exciting but seemingly a brilliant little purchase - these MAM bottles can self-sterilise and are anti-colic. The bottles unscrew and can be assembled in such a way that they can be sterilised with tap water in the microwave. I bought a set of three for holiday and also to keep one in the bottle of the baby bag for emergencies. (MAM from Amazon)

4. Super soft and bright mustard yellow joggers/trousers. I\m a bit against putting little ones in denim or anything too stiff, especially when they are as young as Sylvie is, so I thought these little joggers were perfect. (La Redoute)

5. Confession - this retro seaside print is my absolute favourite. It's also on the little two piece set (7) and I also bought some t-shirts in the same print too. I love this lightweight cotton jumpsuit too. Perfect for Summer. (La Redoute)

6. A very sweet little Boden swimsuit. I do have another wetsuit swimming costume for the baby, but loved this little one too. Depending on how hot it is on holiday and next Summer, this one might be more for indoor swimming at the gym. (Boden)

7. I keep WISHING this came in my size. Have you ever seen anything so sweet? It also has a criss-cross back and buttons, and the print is absolutely beautiful. Again, I bought one for Sylvie for this Summer and one for next.. Zero regrets. (La Redoute)

8. As much as it's lovely dressing babies up in 'proper' little outfits, I thought a few soft t shirts for holiday and the Summer would be handy. I love this yellow leaf print. (La Redoute)

9. Vivienne, who is still only 7, has been begging for a bikini for over a year now. We've told her there's no chance until she's older. She then started asking for a tankini, which seemed like a good compromise, but I told her it would be one that didn't make her look too much older than her years. There were a good few on the high street that had bra tops built into them and the cut felt very grown up and it was all seeming a bit like a bad idea.. then I found this lovely nautical one from M&S and everyone was happy. (M&S)

10. Another basic t shirt, this time for Vivienne. A very sweet cactus print with yellow edging. Love this. (La Redoute)

11. It was reasonably difficult to find baby sun hats on the high street - I think I was shopping for Summer too early but we go away pretty soon.. There was this one and another set of two from H&M that would fit Sylvie's little head (most shops stocked hats from age 6 months up). It was bargainous too. (H&M)