Heading Off on First Family Holiday

Kintarō Hattori

Hey Folks,

We'll be heading off on our first family holiday abroad with our 15 month old lady at some point in the near future. I'm just looking for advice as to what I'll need to do to prepare for this, how you managed it etc.

Travel insurance - is there some sort of EU baby travel insurance I need to avail of?

Buggy - do you just rock up to the airport with a buggy and it gets taken from you before you board the plane?

Hiring a car - we'll be doing this. Do you just use a car seat provided by the hire company? I seem to remember a thread on here not too long ago about this

Food and water - how did you manage the plane trip with this?

Nappy changes - are they a nightmare on a plane?


What advice would you give someone about to take their first trip abroad with their new family member?

kastasia

Interested in this too. Heading off to Spain next month with 4 month old. We've added him to ehic, but not sure if we need to for our private travel insurance, probably should.
Planning on bringing buggy and car seat as our two baby items. Need to figure out how to use car seat with seat belt rather than isofix.
At least for us on the plane, I can just breastfeed but dread the thought of a Nappy change.

bee06

We took our 6 month old away in July. It was a 4 hour flight. I changed his nappy once on both flights and it was grand. There is a good sized changing table in the toilet.

Get your European health card before you go (was previously the E111 form). This entitles you to medical treatment in any EU country. I also have travel insurance cover from work so didn’t need to get anything else.

We took the buggy and infant seat. Infant seat was bubble wrapped and I padded it out with nappies, towels, muslins (good way to keep your luggage to a reasonable size as well) as well and got one of those travel bags on amazon. You drop it off at the oversized luggage place after checking in. Buggy was labelled and stayed with us until the gate. I also brought my baby carrier and he napped in that in the airport.

I’m super cautious about car seat safety so there was no way I’d trust the hire car company car seats and when we got there I knew I made the right decision because they looked terrible. I think a lot of hire car companies only do forward facing as well for stage 1 and up seats which is not something I’d be comfortable with.

I was breastfeeding so didn’t have to worry about food and water but as far as I know you can take whatever you want through security. On the way back they asked me and when I said I didn’t have anything they were shocked!

shesty

Have travelled with a 14 mth old and a 3 yr old and 14 mth old.

Bring buggy to the gate.They will take it from you just as you board.

Bring snacks for the child.Basically any liquid/paste whatever you have with you, put it on the security belt so they aren't searching you for it.Try to stay within the 100ml limit-small tubs and tubes of nappy cream/calpol etc.Bottles are ok to bring through. Just put them out.

Car seats-we always bring our own.I saw some in the rental office last time and they were filthy.Generic car seat bags are available to buy on Amazon (best part is they will take any overflow of luggage too for no charge ;-) )

There are fold down changing tables in the airplane toilets.

Bring clothes changes.For you and the baby.

If you are flying out of Dublin, pay 7eur for fast track security.Means you avoid the queues.

sillysocks

We were away this month with our then 17 month old so not far off your baby.

Yes you can just turn up with the buggy, if you’re checking in suitcases they’ll tag the buggy at the check in desk (and you still keep it with you until boarding), otherwise they’ll tag it at the gate. You usually bring it right to boarding and then depending on the airport you might get it back as soon as you get off the plane, or at the baggage carousel ;so be prepared to possibly carry the baby for a while when you get off).
For our buggy I always bring a luggage strap to put around it when it’s folded, I’ve seen buggies pop up a few times when being put on the plane and the baggage handlers forcing it shut and breaking it. So I always put a strap around it so if the clip comes undone it still stays folded.

As others said get the EHIC card but I would also put the baby on your travel insurance as EHIC isn’t accepted in all places.

Car seats can be hit and miss with rental companies so might be worth bringing your own or even buying a cheaper, lighter one to bring before you go. Usually adds quite a bit to the rental to hire them anyway.

You’re allowed to bring enough food and drink for the baby, just has to be in a separate clear bag and they test it separately at security once you declare it.

There is a baby changing ‘table’ in the toilets, it’s not exactly big and for wriggly babies not the easiest but not horrendous and definitely not worth worrying over. You’ll manage! I’d change the babyjust before boarding and then hopefully only need to change if there’s a dirty nappy.

A few new toys works wonders, as did a kids film on our iPad. Space out the snacks too! If the baby is walking try not let them get up from the start because once they start walking up and down they won’t want to stop!!

One thing we brought which was great in the pool was this....meant the baby could be in it without us physically holding her all the time. Obviously we didn’t go off leaving her on her own but was just nice to give the arms a rest!

https://www.decathlon.ie/baby-seat-swim-ring-with-window-and-handles-monkey-en-s184076.html

Bring your own nappies and swim nappies if you can, they can be very expensive away. And if your baby eats specific baby food etc it’s hndier to bring it than have stress trying to find it.

In the airport I always try have minimal hand luggage when travelling with the kids. Like I’d only bring what we need for the flight and maybe one change of clothes, not a full 10kg cabin bag. It’s easier manage when you’re not laden down with bags.

jlm29

As above- wouldn’t hire a car seat from a car hire company. I did it once, and was directed to pick what I wanted from a heap of seats in the corner. I was lucky to find a vaguely appropriate one, but I got the impression that if I hadn’t, it was my own hard luck. There was no one to fit it, I had to paddle my own canoe there!
Some airports do have specialist baby equipment hire companies though, I’d probably trust them! There’s one in Dublin airport called the stork exchange- if you can find the equivalent in another airport, that’s another option, if you don’t want to bring your own!

Millem

Don’t check in your buggy at oversize place.....bring it with you to the plane......just in case you get delayed

shesty

If you're heading for portugal there is a baby equipment rental place in Faro airport.
Car companies do not guarantee you a car seat-ie if they haven't got one, then tough luck, even if you've paid.Another reason why we brought our own.

Kintarō Hattori

So I think from reading here that we'll just bring the seat I use in my car. It's not isofix so that's handy. Do we check it into oversized luggage? I've never done that before- do I pay Ryanair online for that or do it at the airport?

bee06

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

So I think from reading here that we'll just bring the seat I use in my car. It's not isofix so that's handy. Do we check it into oversized luggage? I've never done that before- do I pay Ryanair online for that or do it at the airport?

The car seat and buggy will be free. I didn’t travel with Ryanair so don’t know about the logistics of checking in.

https://www.ryanair.com/ie/en/useful-info/help-centre/faq-overview/Travelling-with-children/Im-travelling-with-an-infant-is-there-anything-i-should-know

sillysocks

If you have any questions about the car seat or other baggage etc Ryanair are pretty good at answering queries on Twitter I found.

jlm29

When I last flew Ryanair I checked the seat at the desk and then dropped it to oversized baggage. If you can get a big bag to put it in, and bubble wrap it well, it should be grand!

appledrop

As others have said keep your buggy right until you board at gate. Really handy to have as if you think about it most of us go through security with 1 or 2 hours to spare before actual plane takes off. We actually did hire car seat in Italy both times + got good ones. Probably depends on your holiday but we has two large suitcases + child + buggy so wasn't lugagging around car seat aswell!

Food + drink easy when over 1. Just bring all snacks + container + then purchase water once through security. Our flight only 2 hours so no need for nappy changes on plane. Changing facilities right at gate so just change before you get on + hope no dirty one!

appledrop

Around advice I'd recommend you bring a favourite teddy or light blanket that you can put in their 'new cot' when you arrive. Worked great with our little boy. Also if fussy around breakfast cereal bring your own. We thought you could get weetabix everywhere but couldn't get it in local supermarket! All other meals grand but we brought our own weetabix this year!

Cakerbaker

I’m going to go against the grain here and say check in your buggy with the luggage. We bought a travel case for ours so it’s protected in the plane and we pack nappies / clothes in around it which saves on the weight in other luggage. We then use a sling through the airport. It also means whoever has baby has 2 hands when dealing with boarding cards, handluggage etc when getting on the plane. I just rather get rid of the buggy early on and not be worried about safely packing it up at the gate and having to lug it down the stairs to the plane. It’s also handy to have the sling at the other side as buggies often come through with the luggage so you could have a distance to walk carrying the baby.

appledrop

You definitely need the buggy! What 15mth old is going to go in a sling? Not good for them or your back!

Cakerbaker

appledrop wrote: »

You definitely need the buggy! What 15mth old is going to go in a sling? Not good for them or your back!

Our toddler (and my husbands back) managed airports at both 19 and 23 months. It’s perfectly doable if you have a decent sling.

jlm29

appledrop wrote: »

You definitely need the buggy! What 15mth old is going to go in a sling? Not good for them or your back!

Who says it’s not good for them?? Or your back for that matter? My 14 mo is perfectly happy in a carrier on my back, and it’s perfectly comfortable. I’ve climbed mountains with him, or his older brother in a decent ergonomic sling.

jlm29

appledrop wrote: »

You definitely need the buggy! What 15mth old is going to go in a sling? Not good for them or your back!

Who says it’s not good for them?? Or your back for that matter? My 14 mo is perfectly happy in a carrier on my back, and it’s perfectly comfortable. I’ve climbed mountains with him, or his older brother in a decent ergonomic sling.

Anne_cordelia

appledrop wrote: »

You definitely need the buggy! What 15mth old is going to go in a sling? Not good for them or your back!

We did a 5 day city break with no buggy and a 23 month old in a sling pretty much constantly. No back issues and he was grand. They can see way more and buggies are just a hassle. Hate them.

sillysocks

You’ll probably know yourself whether you should bring a buggy or sling/carrier. I knew for our holidays there’s no way my 18 month old would stay happily in a carrier or sling for that long, the buggy was an essential. Whereas I have friends that half the time don’t bring their buggy anywhere! So see what suits for that.

shesty

When I say bring the buggy to the gate, I'm talking a little light folding buggy, not your bugaboo, or vista or whatever!!That would be way too much and I wouldn't trust the baggage handlers with it.Also the smaller buggies are often handier in small towns and complexes on the Continent and their shops and restaurants.
We bought a cheap secondhand silver cross micro on donedeal for holidays.

jc77

shesty wrote: »

Try to stay within the 100ml limit-small tubs and tubes of nappy cream/calpol etc.Bottles are ok to bring through. Just put them out.

My son is currently on 7-oz (formula fed) bottles. Is this ok to bring through airport security?

We are travelling to Portugal. Will any bottled water suffice for making bottles? Or is there any low-sodium water brands people can recommend?

We are using SMA Comfort. Can we get this in Portugal, or should we bring a tin with us?

sillysocks

jc77 wrote: »

My son is currently on 7-oz (formula fed) bottles. Is this ok to bring through airport security?

We are travelling to Portugal. Will any bottled water suffice for making bottles? Or is there any low-sodium water brands people can recommend?

We are using SMA Comfort. Can we get this in Portugal, or should we bring a tin with us?

You can bring bottles no issue, meant to be enough for the flight but I’d bring at least one extra to cover delays.
I would definitely bring the comfort formula with you, might be harder to find and you don’t need the stress of not having enough.

Neyite

I would say get travel insurance for you all. Depending on where you are going, for the sake of the €30-40 if your little one gets sick or injured on holiday, the last thing you'll want is to get the second-tier service in a hospital, or be landed with a bill that could take you years to pay off.

Secondly, if it's somewhere warm you are going, the little UV suits are a godsend. Get one with long arms and legs, that come with the keppi hat that has the legionaire's flap on the back of the neck.

Pack your usual baby pain relief and thermometer.

sillysocks

Neyite wrote: »

I would say get travel insurance for you all. Depending on where you are going, for the sake of the €30-40 if your little one gets sick or injured on holiday, the last thing
Secondly, if it's somewhere warm you are going, the little UV suits are a godsend. Get one with long arms and legs

Forgot about the UV suits, definitely handy, and I would really recommend a two piece one rather than an all in one. With the all in one you’ve to take the full thing off and put it all back on to change a nappy which isn’t always easy when it’s wet and sticking to them! The two piece means it’s only the trousers to take off.

Toots

Calpol for the plane. I live by this. Give the little one a dose as soon as you get on and it'll help stop sore ears.

Also put a big bottle of Calpol in the checked baggage in case you need it. I got caught out last year when I only brought a small bottle and of course it was the one year my son wasn't well while we were away. They don't sell Calpol in Spain and their equivalent (Aperital I think) has a really strong taste and he wouldn't take it.

appledrop

You have to get the uv suit! We got the one piece. We found that the two separate pieces didn't give enough cover e.g shorts+ t-shirt top while suit covered 90%. Also harder to find seperate for under 2 years of age. I would agree much harder to change nappy etc so we had 2 suits.

Neyite

sillysocks wrote: »

Forgot about the UV suits, definitely handy, and I would really recommend a two piece one rather than an all in one. With the all in one you’ve to take the full thing off and put it all back on to change a nappy which isn’t always easy when it’s wet and sticking to them! The two piece means it’s only the trousers to take off.

We were too poor at the nappy stage to go anywhere hot enough to need the UV suit so I bow to your superior knowledge on that Wrestling a damp one onto a cooperative 6yo is tricky enough so can't imagine it on a reluctant toddler.



Though I do take Appledrop's point about the gap between top and bottom being prone to sunburn so maybe two UV suits would work better.

Cakerbaker

We were given a full UV suit that had poppers at the bottom so you could open the leg end to change nappies. Apparently it was hard to find but they do exist.

shesty

No SMA comfort available in Portugal, from experience with our first.