flying with toddler for first time

jopsey

Hope somebody can help me I have a few silly questions

We are going to the canary islands next week and I have been advised to take coats for evenings ,I know this sounds stupid but what type ? denim jackets ,fleece, padded coats ... Been abroad loads myself pre baby Jopsey and never felt the cold but spent most the evenings in the bar's :beer: be a bit different this holiday.

Right what do I do about nappies ?Little jopsey has no baggage allowance so we are already going to be struggling any suggestions should I just take maybe a few days worth and chance buying them there.

thanks

poe.tuesday

the trouble with the nappies that you can buy out there is that they tend to have plastic sides so if you want little one just to run around in a nappy then it can get a tad hot due to the plastic, so take some of your nappies out with you, given that you are a mum with a baby the airline will be more helpful with the amount of carry on you can have (well I hope they are)

as for clothing, if you have been recommended to take a jacket, I would presume it would be a light jacket, not a denim one so for your son I would just take a light woolen or fleece top and a blanket just in case

one tip for the plane, give him a drink just as you start to take off and land, this will make his ears pop, if he starts to cry when you get to that altitude just give him anything like a drink of something to suck on to make him ok

Finally, do not get yourself into a tizz if he does cry, do not worry about the others on the plane, they are adults and can deal with a short plane journey, admittedly there is nothing worst than a crying baby on a plane but there is also nothing worst than a frantic parent trying to shush their child because of tuting people around, just take enough things to keep him busy and you will be fine

MarkyMarkD

If you are flying with a budget airline, consider buying a seat for the baby. It can be very cheap and it gets you a luggage allowance which is worth more than the fare (in many cases).

Managing on 2 people's luggage allowances with a baby is nigh-on impossible.

The first time we travelled with our daughter, we were charged £55 in excess baggage (one way) and we only paid £50 each return for our flights.

Since then we have bought her a seat. It's far more comfortable anyway - they can sit in their own seat quite happily apart from take off and landing when you have to hold them.

@poe.tuesday: "The airline will be more helpful with the amount of carry on you can have" - er, I don't think so. Quite likely they will be just as difficult as they are with most passengers and charge you for every last ounce. The only extra you definitely get is that they don't weigh your pushchair, and do take that for free.

We have taken nappies with us in the past and it really isn't worth it. You will be able to buy something sensible in any country abroad and they are too bulky and heavy to justify taking them IMHO.

gladys_3

Hi we live in the south west of France, does get very hot in the summer, our grand children age 3 and 18 months came out for holiday last year, like you only allowence for the adults , our daughter was amazed at what she could buy in the supermarkets, just take out with you what you need for the the first couple of days buy the rest when you are there. Just because it is abroad they do have great supermarkets

Becles

I took nappies for my son when he was a baby and we went abroad. He had really awful eczema, and I was worried in case nappies bought out there would irritate his skin.

Rather than put them in the case, I bought one of those large economy packs with a carry handle on. I printed off the flight details in a large font on a sheet of A4, and sellotaped it onto the side of the nappy pack. The airline took them without any problems, and it saved a lot of room in the cases.

Lavender13

Becles wrote: »

I took nappies for my son when he was a baby and we went abroad. He had really awful eczema, and I was worried in case nappies bought out there would irritate his skin.

Rather than put them in the case, I bought one of those large economy packs with a carry handle on. I printed off the flight details in a large font on a sheet of A4, and sellotaped it onto the side of the nappy pack. The airline took them without any problems, and it saved a lot of room in the cases.

We did this when ours were little.

evilwitch

We managed a 4 day trip to Amsterdam with baby and 2 people luggage allowance on EasyJet no probs. The only problems I had was with the baby food on the plane due to the restrictions it had to be opened before going through and as she wasn't due her lunch until we were on the plane it got wasted as she wouldn't eat early and Boots in departures had sold out cue one screeching baby on the plane as she was starving. Was absolutely horrendous and completly avoidable if only there had been stock in the shop it would have been fine. Ended up giving her crisps chocolate and sandwiches in desperate attempt to feed her as that was extent of availables food which is hardly ideal for a 5month old. we survived though

Taking her on a huuuuuuuuge trip next month. Flying to Bali then to Aus, few internal flight around Aus then to Vegas then finally Toronto before coming home. Am dreading the flights with her tbh as she's just started walking and I know I'll be doing endless trips around the plane. Couldn't afford an extra seat for her so she'll be on lap the whole time.

As for coats, I'd be inclined to take a fleece jacket and a jumper along with a blanket which can be carried onto the plane and will save on baggage. Take the minimum you need if you're struggling on allowance you can always wash a few sleepsuits/tshirts etc and drip them dry. Nappies fill your carry on bag with them and take what you can in luggage, if you run out then buy the local ones.Alternatively buy a few terry sqaures which can be used without wraps and will dry off quickly when he does a wee. Quick was out in the sink and then dry overnight. Ideal with just a t-shirt and suncream on. Kepps the dispos for nights, outings and times when he's due a dirty one (don't want to be washing out poo on holiday!)

Sam_Bee

evilwitch wrote: »

Taking her on a huuuuuuuuge trip next month. Flying to Bali then to Aus, few internal flight around Aus then to Vegas then finally Toronto before coming home. Am dreading the flights with her tbh as she's just started walking and I know I'll be doing endless trips around the plane. Couldn't afford an extra seat for her so she'll be on lap the whole time.

Good luck brave people! Don't forget to check in early, ask if there are spare seats, and they should allocate accordingly (i.e. if there are 3 seats next to window, get the window & aisle, as they will be hesitant to give the middle seats to someone else if their are other seats. Obviously don't do this if flight is full!)

saxy1

Have been to the Canaries in January and all I took for the evenings was a fleece. Pashminas are very useful too, for you or little one, as they are very light but warm.

Dont worry about the supermarkets, they are all very good, no different to here.

poe.tuesday

kimevans wrote: »

You will find a holiday MORE enjoyable in the med than in the UK with children. Restaurants in the med actually WELCOME children & chat to them, they treat them as special little customers. Most places in the UK see children as a hinderance:rolleyes:

oh how true

jopsey

Thanks for all the replies and advice

I know it's not going to be a walk in the park taking a toddler abroad but ANYTHING has to be easier than trying to entertain a 1 year old in a small touring caravan in the rain for nearly 2 weeks like last year