Your baby’s summer holiday suitcase
Updated on June 13, 2024
Created on July 17, 2019
Blog Summary
Packing your bags with a toddler can quickly feel like moving house! Here are our tips for packing the essentials rather than overloading them with unnecessary items.
Clothing
It's all a question of balance: you certainly don't want to spend your holiday doing laundry (especially if the place you're staying in doesn't have a washing machine), but you don't want to overpack either!
To help you plan, you can take a maximum of one outfit per day and a pair of pyjamas for every two days, plus one or two warmer outfits, as the weather can be unpredictable. Look for soft cotton clothing that does not need ironing.
Sleep
It can be difficult to do without a carrycot or travel cot... If you are travelling by car, this will probably not be a problem, but if you have decided to go by train or plane, it will be a bit more complicated! In this case, organise in advance and hire or borrow what you need at your destination: most hotels can provide cots, and there are many baby equipment hire services.
Other essentials for a good night's sleep include a lightweight sleeping bag, depending on where you are going, a cuddly toy if your baby has one, and some dummy soothers.
Food
If your baby is exclusively breastfed, it's easy: you don't need to take anything with you. You can leave your breastfeeding cushion at home and use a pillow or bolster that you will find at your destination.
However, if your baby is bottle-fed, you will need to take two or three bottles, a bottle brush to clean them and some formula. You may also want to pack a few plastic bibs (which are easy to wash) and some wipes, which will come in handy for cleaning up any small spills.
Finally, if your baby is a solid eater, it is a good idea to have some baby food with you on arrival. If you want to puree your baby's food and are driving to your destination, you can take a small food processor with you, but you will definitely be able to buy some baby food at your destination.
Skincare products
To avoid taking too many products, choose compact or multi-purpose products: two-in-one cleansing gel, wipes, recovery cream to treat little boo-boos, face and body moisturiser samples, etc.
You should also take a medical kit with you for your baby, containing their usual medicines, liquid paracetamol, bandages, an antiseptic and baby insect repellent.
Summer holidays mean sun, so it is essential to protect your baby's highly vulnerable skin! What to bring: a sun cream with the highest protection factor (SPF 50+) specially designed for babies, sunglasses and one or two sun hats.
Essentials to bring with you
Outings
Buggies are particularly useful when you're on holiday, for walking with your baby, but you can also use them as a substitute for a deckchair when your baby is awake and at mealtimes when he's eating solids but it is undeniably bulky. If you want to do without it, you can always use a baby carrier or sling, which are much smaller and lighter.
Got your bags packed? All aboard for a great holiday!
