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What every new parent ought to know about their first holiday with baby

• Older is not necessarily better. There are different advantages associated with each age group. For example a young, totally breastfed baby is easily catered for and will not need entertaining. Travelling with a toddler however means no worries regarding constant sterilising and your child does not have to rely on supplies of formula.

• Don't miss the opportunity to book as many trips as you can outside of school holidays when prices are cheaper, the weather a little cooler and when the resorts are less crowded. You'll be so glad you made the most of this once the prospect of school is looming.

• Young babies are really quite portable! Aim to follow much the same routine as at home with extra precautions taken depending on destination. Check immunisations, sun precautions, food supplies and plan, plan, plan!

• Baby will need their own passport. Remember to take out travel insurance and (within Europe) an E111. As an extra comfort, the availability, accessibility and English language skills of doctors throughout Europe is generally very high.

• It will always be easier than your overactive imagination leads you to believe!

Baby bottles on the go

Many parents are justifiably worried about travelling overseas with a baby and experiencing problems with obtaining their usual brand of baby milk. The first hurdle is actually getting on to the aeroplane with enough formula to last the flight. In this article I’ll lead you through what to pack at home, security requirements and obtaining formula at your destination.

Before you go

If your baby is on formula, call the number on the tin for advice from the helpline on current availability of your brand at your holiday destination. However, most families do take their own formula with them as even if you find the same brand on holiday, the formulation (ingredients) does tend to vary. Pack a tin.

If you want to completely avoid any showdown at security, then call Boots (0845 070 8090) and ask to pre-order cartons of formula to be waiting for you at the Boots store airside. This eliminates the need to take any liquids with you from home for passage through security (excepting prescription medications). I know this has worked for families before (has it worked for you? Do let me know and we can spread the word) but I still think it requires brave parents to risk leaving home for a long flight with absolutely no means of feeding baby…

Smoothly through security…

This is current advice on permitted items:

Permitted in hand luggage

Bottles, beakers, or flasks containing water

Empty containers such as empty bottles beakers or flasks

Baby milk (if tasted by the passenger)

Baby juice (if tasted by the passenger)

Baby food in liquid, gel or paste form (if tasted by the passenger)

Baby food powder (need not be tasted)

Medication.

As indicated, you will invariably be asked to taste any baby milk or baby food including any in sealed cartons (so not a good idea). I would suggest taking formula powder and cooled, boiled water separately to be combined as and when your baby requires. However, do remember that you will still have to sample the water so do ensure that you’re happy with this idea of tampering with your carefully sterilised supplies!

How to make up bottles

When buying bottled water do check the label to ensure that the water contains less than 30 Na of sodium. In France, the words "convient a l'alimentation/a la preparation des biberons pour enfants" indicates that the water is suitable for young children to drink and also for making up babies bottles. Try Evian or Vittel. For young babies, boil and cool the water before preparing feeds just as you would in the UK. After opening, store in the refridgerator and use within 48 hours. In Spain check for the words "alimentacion infantils" (or similar). Font Vella is a good choice. Evian is also widely available in Cyprus and Italy and although expensive, it's a safe bet for your baby or toddler.

Above all - try not to worry - I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the ranges of all baby-related goods now available throughout Europe. Don’t forget to share your experiences here by clicking on the ‘comments’ tab below so we have a constantly updated source of information.

Babys Essential Holiday Packing List

 

Nappies	Blanket
Swimming nappies	Sippy cup
Nappy sacs	Formula/baby food
Changing mat	Juice and/or water
Sudocrem or similar	Sterilising tablets
Calpol or similar	Pushchair and cover
Baby shampoo	Car seat
Baby wipes	Car window blinds
Baby bath gel	Baby backpack or sling
Baby powder	2-3 outfits just for travelling
Bibs	Swimming costume
Flannel	Sunhat
Tissues	Suncream
Dummy	First Aid Kit
Teething gel	Travel toys and games

How to travel with a toddler...and stay sane!

• On car journeys always factor rest stops into your travel times. It may take longer to get there but toddlers can endure quite long journeys as long as they can have a frequent runabout.
• Make up toddler goody bags before you go to be handed out throughout the journey. Simple brown bags filled with small board books, toys and perhaps a snack make a great diversion. For older toddlers make them themed!
• Avoid trendy or luxury hotels. Self catering holidays generally provide the flexibility and facilities that suit families with young children. You choose the pace, are not restricted to set mealtimes and have full access to your own kitchen to prepare baby bottles and purees. Your children also have space to run around and there’s usually less pressure to keep the noise down!
• If your children are all under school age, (and from experience!) make the most of it by travelling during the months of May, June, September and October. Prices will be cheaper, and the resorts will be cooler and less crowded.
• Go to a country (perhaps in the Med) where people really like children - the locals will love your baby!
• Protect your child’s ears on the plane-young children do not usually know how to ‘pop’ their ears - allow baby to suck on a bottle or toddlers to suck a lolly or similar during take off and landing. Otherwise, screaming (them, not you!) will work!

How to take professional-looking photographs of your baby

 

This is a great time of year for getting out there and snapping off some photos of your children in natural surroundings. Follow these tips for professional results without spending a fortune!

• Get up close and get down to their level - photos taken from above rarely work
• Don’t position your child in bright sunshine - you’ll just get shadows and squinting subjects
• Early morning or late evening light in summer is good for photographs
• For some candid shots of your baby playing with tummy and toes just direct their attention there with a sticker. Simply snap away as they concentrate on taking it off! 
• Keep the focus on baby’s face by forgoing the bright orange and green playsuit and instead dressing your child in neutral colours
• Eliminate red eye by avoiding the use of flash
• A good digital camera (a simple, inexpensive Kodak is fine) will improve your results
• It goes without saying that it’s best to time your photo sessions for the time of day when your toddler is usually happiest!

 

How to make a toddler's Restaurant Survival Kit

Many parents give up the luxury of eating out at restaurants with a toddler in tow. It’s tempting to venture no further than the well-known ‘child-friendly’ restaurants with standard children’s menus but with Europe possessing some of the best gastronomic experiences in the world, wouldn’t it be marvellous to indulge on occasion?

Moreover, continued exposure to new foods is extremely important for toddlers. Research suggests that young children sometimes need to be exposed to food ten to fifteen times before they will accept it.

So, what can you do to keep your toddler occupied on these occasions? Invest in a special ‘bag’ to be filled with items that your toddler does not have access to at any other time and that is reserved solely for use when eating out in restaurants. This is your Restaurant Survival Kit. Only take one thing out at a time and let your child play until showing signs of becoming restless when it’s then time to fish out the next toy.

Obviously the contents of the kit will depend on your child’s age (does everything still go into his mouth?) and also on individual preferences such as favourite toy characters. However, here are a few ideas for your restaurant survival kit which you can adapt to suit:

• Bibs and wipes

• Small board books especially if your toddler has a favourite character.

• Small empty margarine tub - make a slit in the lid and your child will love posting items that you can hand to her.

• Spare sippy cup

• Don’t forget some finger foods - pretzel sticks can be played with and eaten too. You may consider offering foods which your child is usually not allowed to have so it is a special treat at a restaurant. Carry a couple of lollipops as an emergency measure should a tantrum threaten to erupt.

• Small toys such as toy cars - pack toys that do not require batteries and are not noisy.

• Stickers (that your child does not have access to at any other time), crayons, paper.

• And the star of the show is… playdough. Save this for when your toddler is showing signs of becoming restless. Buy the small one ounce containers and try the following:

 - Mould into little cups and your toddler will become happily absorbed in filling these containers with anything available.

- Make ‘track’ or ‘road’ lines for a car to trundle along.

- For older toddlers make lots of different shapes from the dough for them to decipher/recognise. Save this for a break in the meal service when your hands are free.

So - are you ready to make that reservation?

Vital questions to ask a gîte owner before taking your toddler to France

• Is there an English speaking doctor in the vicinity? Try to choose accommodation with easy access to medical care in a language you can understand. This will avoid undue stress in the unlikely event that you need recourse to this service.

• Do the windows have locks or barriers? The upstairs windows in old French properties can extend almost down to the level of the floor, presenting a potential hazard to inquisitive toddlers.

• Are stair gates available? Saves you leaping up and down every few minutes as your toddler homes in with laser-beam focus on that bottom stair… Also very reassuring to have a gate in place at the top of the stairs at night-time.

• Is the garden area enclosed? Although it is obligatory in France for all pools to be fenced or alarmed, gain extra peace of mind by knowing that your toddler cannot escape the confines of the garden itself.

• Is there a babysitting facility or baby monitors? Enjoy a grown-up meal out or simply relax with a glass of wine and local fare on your patio in the knowledge that your little one is being safely monitored.

• Can I pre-order nappies, baby wipes and baby toiletries to be ready awaiting our arrival? Take every opportunity to reduce the huge volume of toddler packing!

• Is there a fireguard to cordon off the wood burner? The huge, old fireplaces in French gîtes are magnificent - but you won’t enjoy the experience unless your little one is prevented from approaching too close.

• What is there to do in wet weather? Select a gîte with a good local variety of activities and attractions suitable for a day out with your toddler.

Above all, have a great time! France offers a wonderful holiday experience for families with very young children. Babies and children are generally liked and welcomed everywhere. You do not need to choose Disneyland or theme parks as toddlers are too young to enjoy all the attractions. Opt instead for simple, inexpensive pleasures – animal parks, water, sand, gentle rides and soft play centres are guaranteed to thrill the little ones.

Pushchair Walks in Brittany

Have you noticed that when approaching a town whether in France, Spain, Cyprus or elsewhere the first sight is often of the golden arches of MacDonalds? I've no real objection to fast food - it's just that these eateries are so garish and thus create a real eyesore on many a landscape. Couldn't they blend in just a little more - people would always find them! That said, I did resort to a couple of visits on a recent trip to Brittany when researching the area (the loos are good and the coffee is great!) but was really heartened to see young tots in the seaside resorts sucking noisily on a plate of moules.

Much is written about ways of entertaining your young baby but in all honesty don't you agree that it's more a case of finding an activity that you enjoy that your baby will tolerate? What about walking? Or cycling? If you've never considered taking to the great outdoors with baby in tow or the mere thought of all the perceived preparation it would entail is just too much then take a look at Pushchair Walks in Brittany for how to go about it.

For a humorous look at cycling with under fives see  cycling_with_kids.doc

Hi!

I want to use this blog to share with you all the extra bits of information, photos and tips that I pick up during my travels through Europe to visit the properties featured on the website. I'd also love it if you joined in by posting your comments, holiday wishlists, feedback on your holidays - in fact anything that will help me to tailor the Holiday Tots service to meet your needs!

Karen