MSE Newborn to 1 year (& beyond!) baby club 2

Sammie_03

How long did it take you to lose the weight if you don't mind me asking mozzy? I'm allowed 26 points a day and 36 extra weekly points, I'm quite enjoying it which is surprising as I thought I would get fed up by now!
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mozzyc

Bloody hell Dizzi, she sounds like a right nightmare!!!

mozzyc

Sammie_03 wrote: »

How long did it take you to lose the weight if you don't mind me asking mozzy? I'm allowed 26 points a day and 36 extra weekly points, I'm quite enjoying it which is surprising as I thought I would get fed up by now!
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Around 6/7mnths. But I always had less points than I was allowed, as i was on a time limit for my holiday lol x

Sammie_03

Thanks mozzy, I usually have left over points too. Hopefully I can lose the weight in time for the summer holidays.
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*Nutella*

Dashikii wrote: »

We are going on holiday once the twins turn 1 and I seriously need some help planning it to make sure its not too stressful for all of us.
Really need any tips where possible. I've been told to order stuff for delivery at boots airside. Any other similar tips? What do you put them in if you are lounging by the pool? i've been told to get a sun shield? I'm desperately trying not to break the bank and would love to do this as MSE as possible.

I've travelled quite a lot with my LO (she's nine and a half months and has been on 14 planes) - off the top of my head, here are a few things that might be of help - apologies if some of them seem obvious:

- Leave plenty of extra time for check-in, security and getting to your gate - everything takes much longer with children, including security.

- Some airports (e.g. Gatwick. Sadly Heathrow doesn't) have 'family lanes' at check-in and passport control - these are great and much quicker than the normal queues.

- Check your airline's policy for bringing a pushchair - does it count as extra check-in luggage or can you bring it in addition to your suitcases? Do you get additional luggage for the children, and do they get a hand luggage allowance? These things vary significantly between airlines. If you're bringing a pushchair, you can bring it to the gate with you (but you need to let them know at check-in and get a tag for it), I'd recommend this if you're flying from one of the bigger airports like Heathrow.

- Have a hand luggage bag that fits under the seat in front you - if it's above your head, you can be sure that the kids will scream for something absolutely essential at a point when you have to sit down with your seatbelt on. Or use a wheelie suitcase, put that above your head and have a smaller bag inside it containing your top essentials (this includes favourite toy!); then put that under the seat in front of you.

- Food and milk for babies are exempt from liquid rules, but you have to be prepared to taste half of what you're bringing as hand luggage in front of the security staff. This is why it's better to order from Boots airside, as you don't want to have to open things like sealed milk cartons as they'll go off. Most security staff aren't strict about the 'tasting half' rule, they'll just ask you to taste one or two things, but best be prepared - I was subjected to one very mean lady once!

- Be prepared to feed them during take off and landing - babies have sensitive ear drums. Dummies will do the same job if it isn't milk time - it's the sucking mechanism that helps.

- If you're taking a pushchair, consider a dark 'net' that will keep sun and insects out and help them sleep. We have one called Shade a Babe (from Mothercare/Amazon) - I don't know if they exist for double pushchairs if that's what you have.

- Bring some comfort items/toys from home to help them sleep in an unfamiliar place.

- If they don't already have passports, make sure you order them well ahead of time - processing takes longer than you might expect!

- If you can time air travel to coincide with their usual nap time, that's ideal.

- Travellling to/from airports: if using taxis - what if anything will you do about car seats? Similar if you're hiring a car at the other end.

- Is your hotel providing cots or are you expected to bring travel ones?

Think that's all for now - apologies for epic post! I haven't tried lounging by the pool - Sammie's your woman for that

delain

Dizzi I have an ex mil like that. None of mine were preemies but I'm still the wicked witch as far as she's concerned. I've had so many issues with her over the years... Let's just say I wouldn't be devastated if she left the country... I feel your pain!

DD1 has been in the school office thinking I was late to pick her up, they just rang to ask what the plan was, presumably in case I'd just forgotten her :eek: Erm, no! She's got a club and I even dropped her new shoes for it off in the office for her earlier :doh:

Sammie_03

:rotfl: delain your DD sounds like my DS1. He has an after school club today too. I have to right it in his daily record, remind him as soon as he gets out of bed, remind him again at breakfast, shout it through the school gates as he is walking away and he still forgets he has the club sometimes! He also has a habit of joining clubs and not telling me so I'm panicking that someone has kidnapped him as he hasn't come out of school and I'm the only parent still waiting! Kids eh.
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Sammie_03

Nutella - whatever do you mean!!

Dashikii - I think nutella has already said about car seats/pushchairs anyway but check with your airline if you have to pay extra/can take them up to the plane etc. we were allowed 2 items of luggage for baby so we put through the car seat and pushchair free and packed his clothes with ours. Not sure where you are flying from but the family areas in Gatwick were ideal as they had a tv and some crayons (big open space to run around) as for lounging around the pool, Noah was only a few months when we went on holiday so we managed to shade him in his pushchair but I'd make sure they had a sun hat and CONSTANTLY apply high factor sun cream (we went through 4 bottles in a week, they came back whiter than when we left ). You can get some blow up life jackets for the kids which are ideal for around the pool too especially if they are walking? I will admit I found the airport quite hard work as we had 4 adults and 6 kids all together but once you can dump your luggage off it becomes easier and I can't wait to book this years!! Have fun!!
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Elelyn

Sammie, how come you only have 36 extra weekly points? I thought everyone got 49 weeklies? I must admit I find it really difficult to stick within the daily points allowance. I am a hungry person and 26 points worth of food is not a lot of food!

Peanut2013

Hey all well I'm finally back on the forum and can now officially say I'm a mum!

My gorgeous boy was born on January 20th and I couldn't be any more in love (well his dad comes on a par, lol)