1st holiday with baby

Pete.g

We are going on our first family holiday next month to Tenerife with our 4month old little girl.

Now, we want it to be a nice experience without to much stress.

To make it easier I'd like to hear people's experiences and will take any help or advice given.

We'd also like to compile a checklist of things we need to take for the baby and things that should be left at home.

I'll be getting a travel cot as the more I think about it the more I dont like the idea of a cot supplied by the hotel.

We plan to get a taxi from the airport to the hotel as we are staying at Playa Parasio which is a little further up the coast than the usual places and we dont want to get caught on a coach while it drops people off her there and everywhere. What we'd like to know is the safety aspect of using taxi's with baby. I realise it's unlikely they have child seats.

I did'nt realise that a changing bag did'nt count towards your weight limit, is it classed as your hand luggage? Also I'm told that a pram is not taken into account is this true also? We are thinking of taking out normal pram/buggy which is a quinny buzz it's fairly lightweight and folds up easily, with possibly our maxi cosi carseat (which fits into the mountings of the buggy), would this be advisable? We cant really take a travel buggy as these are rated at 6months +.

Thanks for the help,

Pete.

Agutka

Hi, I'm off on the first holiday too, although it'll be more visiting family than beach. My airline do not allow car seats, so we can only take the buggy, so check with yours. And we're taking our urban detour, which weighs a ton, but we're just getting into cars so doesn't matter. Car seat will be borrowed from friends.
I am worried about having to take baby stuff on top of our stuff, as never been that good at packing in the first place. I keep joking where is hubby going to put his stuff, but really it will be a squeeze, especially coming back with all the prezzies.
You can get travel buggies for 3+ months, which lie flattish, you'd need to go into shops and have a looksee if any look comfy for baby.
I keep imagining getting to the airport and having time to get a magazine, like I always do, but then my thought process kicks in and I wander what on earth I need a magazine for? For baby to rip/chew? *sigh*

RoxieW

Hi there - u should be able to take the car seat onto the plane but do check in advance as different airlines have different rules. Also - they may let u take the buggy right up to the steps of the aircraft instead of checking it in beforehand - DONT. We've done this twice and it hasnt been loaded - leaving us rushing around at our destination having to find and buy a buggy! Nightmare. The pram wont be taken into account for baggage allowance.
Defo take your own travel cot - we were given one for our baby in greece and it was horrible and he trapped is finger in the mechanism - poor thing.

In my opinion you're much better taking them away at this age then when they start crawling and toddling and are into everything. We took our 4 mth old to italy and had very few problems. It got more tricky when we went away when he was a year as he was settled into his routine and screamed blue murder for the first 3 nights (our poor neighbours!) and harder still when he was toddling. Babies like things as they've always been (mine did anyway) so I'd suggest taking her blanket/comforter/teddy or whatever she has in her cot at home - perhaps her mobile to 'trick' her into thinking she's at home!
The only problem can be the heat. I'd suggest a siesta at midday and obviouly a good parasol or possible a UV net type thingy as she'll be spending alot of time in her buggy I imagine.
Good luck - I hope u enjoy it!

Scarlett1

Its amazing how much more babies need than adults when going away :eek: might be an idea not to take your normal pram if you can help it but borrow or buy a second hand one as more often than not they are just thrown onto the plane and can get damaged, when you check the pram in you have to collapse it and have it tagged and sometimes it gets bagged, so make sure you get your baby out before check in so you don't unsettle her whilst trying to check bags in and sort out hand luggage

pukkamum

I have recently seen in the vertbaudet catalogue a pop up travel cot which seems ideal as it is lightweight and wouldn't take up much room, you can also take it to the beach as it has a really good sunshade on it. I will try and put a link on bear with me

pukkamum

http://www.vertbaudet.co.uk/baby-nursery-maternity-clothes/Summer-Baby-Nest.aspx?ProductId=V703113010&DocumentId=V361&CompanyId=V&Path=1701/1711/1989&source=

lady_stardust

There's a firm called Tiny Tots Away www.tinytotsaway.co.uk, if you know the address of your accommodation they can send baby supplies and equipment out there so you don't have to use your baggage allowance. They are probably better value if you have more than one child and need lots of things, but are worth knowing.

MRS_TO_BE_2

Mamas and Papas also do a pop up travel cot. seen it in Argos book. The travel cot will eat up baggage allowance.

Pete.g

Hi and thankyou all for the help and advice.

Having just picked myself up after seeing the price for 1 pack of nappies and 1 tin of SMA baby food delivererd from tinytotsaway I dont think we'll be using them but thanks anyway. The price?....are you sitting down?......sure you want to know?......ok I warned you......£105 :eek: :eek: :eek: I think we'll make a little room in our suitcases:rolleyes: .

Pete.

scruffy96uk

I presume your daughter is bottle fed, you could buy the ready sterile bottles at least it would save you taking sterelizer etc.
http://www.mothercare.com/gp/product/B0013MV134/sr=1-19/qid=1212323060/ref=sr_1_19/026-4329382-9578810?ie=UTF8&m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&n=42861041&mcb=core
Mothercare are always over priced so shop about I even think Asda sell them They are slightly expensive but at least it saves lugging a bulky sterelizer.
Also remember to take a parasol for the buggie they are a god send

Have a great time when you go

modgit

we took DS3 last year to Fuerteventura aged 6 months and used boots sterilisers bags which you fill with water and suspend for around 40 mins. THey were around £2. We also took ready made milk in cartons, I know that they're heavy, but you have to watch the bottled water that you boil to make the milk up, I contacted Aptimil and they said that bottled water has a high sodium contact so gave me a list of acceptable water to buy, hence going with pre made up ones!