Any packing tips for holiday with 3 month old baby????

[MrsMc]

Hi all - about to venture out of London for the first time ever with baby Mc for a whole week! At the moment he's going through a very pooey stage which I hope will resolve itself before we depart(?!) Anyway, was hoping for some brilliant tips on what to pack, how much to take etc etc? Also keen to hear strategies on getting baby to sleep on the journey (to N Wales). He's generally good and nods off in the car but untested longhaul! We need to set off late morning so driving through night not an option this time. He has two bottles a day but is otherwise breastfed, thinking maybe of setting off after morn bottle and hoping for the best!!

[Fuschia]

Just expect to need to stop to his scedule not yours (I once went to devon with a 4 mo old and had to stop and feed him before we'd even got further than the Old Kent Rd!)

Tiny ones don't need much stuff... pack a bag for the evening you arrive, keep spare top for yourself in the car in case he pukes on you! Remember mat for in the bath...

[ryedalema]

I just took our 3 month old to my Dad's in deepest darkest Somerset - she slept all the way!

My tips

- Milton sterilising tablets

- 1.5 outfits for the number od days you'll be there (if you have use of a washing machine) 2 x number of days if not.

- Invest in a car charging bottle warmer - i got one from Kiddicare.com and it's fab.

- Don't forget to pack for yourself - I only packed two outfits for four days and forgot shampoo, moisturiser - the works. I came back covered in sick-up, with crunchy hair (in desperation i used the baby shampoo, but no conditioner) and feeling like my face was going to fall off (as no moisturiser).

- Conversely - remember that you are not going to the desert. There will be shops if you forget stuff!

Good luck x

[kristymac1]

My only tip would be to 'go with the flow' - don't put any expectations on what time you'll arrive (chances are you'll just be disappointed...). We travelled to South Devon when our daughter was 3 months, took us 6 hours to get there (traffic atrocious) and we made a stop whenever she got really agitated - just taking her out of the car for a change of scenery (and caffeine for us!) seemed to make the next couple of hours in the car perfectly manageable for her. In terms of what to pack - the posts above pretty much have it spot on, I would add if baby is in a cot maybe take hiscot bumper for familiar surroundings while going to sleep.

Best x

[The Nappy Lady]

I always pack way too much so I'd say lay everything out, then think do I really need that? I aim to shed a third of what is there.

I laugh now when I remember how much stuff I took on my first trip to my Mums with No1, though I don't think I will ever be one to 'travel light'.

Have a lovely trip.

M

[MrsMc]

Thanks guys - top tips! Milton tablets V good idea - still have major baby brain so packing for self also

good call. X

[EDmummy]

Definitely agree with allowing as much time as needed and stop when baby needs to stop. Sometimes simply taking them out of the car seat for 10 mins does the job. Once went to the North West with 4 week old and ended up in a detour of M6 through country side and huge traffic jams. Was sitting in the backseat with baby so I simply took him out of car seat whilst the traffic was very slow and breastfed him there without pulling over.

My advice would be to not stress and go with the flow. In hindsight you will realise this is the easiest time to travel with baby!

[BellendenBear]

I agree with EDmummy, this is definitely an easy time to travel with a baby, particularly if breast feeding.

Travel light. You don't need nearly as much as you think. With babies, you'll fill whatever space you have. If you have a big car you'll fill it, if you only have a bag you'll manage with that.

I went away with my baby when she was 12 weeks on the train (about 3 hours). I took everything we needed for 5 days. Car seat attached to the pram wheels, one of those small pop up cots and a backpack. It's much easier than you think.

If you need to sterilise you can also get microwaveable sterilising bags from Mothercare.

[Belle]

we went away when my little boy was four months and in addition to things other have mentioned we took:

playmat

few toys

bouncy chair

suntan cream/sunhat etc

portable black out blind

sling

2-3 grobags

baby monitor (easy to forget)

calpol

Sounds crazy and we couldn't believe we packed the car so full but all those t hings got used! We thought we were mad to take bouncy chair/playmat but at t hat stage our little boy spent most of his time in one or the other so these really kept him happy.

[Sanne Panne]

On our first holiday with baby we knew there was no bath tub in the cottage so we brought a big strong plastic storage box which we used as a baby bath - it didn't take up too much space in the boot as we had packed most of our stuff in it. Back at home the box turned into our daughter's first toy box. ?10 very well spent!

Agree that bouncy chair, baby monitor, portable blind (or just binliners and masking tape) and calpol can be very nice to have.

Have fun!