If you are planning a vacation as a first time parent it can be quite challenging to know exactly what you need. You might be tempted to pack absolutely everything for your little one that you make use of at home and it can be easy to go overboard. Before you know it, your baby or toddler will have a fuller suitcase than you do.
Aside from the expected noise and stress of travelling with a baby, knowing what you will need to take away with you and what will simply weigh you down is one of the most important things you’ll have to deal with. If this is your first overnight trip that’s longer than a single night, you might benefit from a little help with your packing.
One of the best things about taking a trip to the city is the fact that you will never be far away from stores that sell food, clothing and accessories for babies. Essentially, if you forget to pack something you won’t need to stress too much because you’ll be able to pick up whatever you’re missing from a local store.
With that being said, you should keep in mind that you may not be able to get exactly the same brands and products that you are used to using for your baby or toddler. This means that if they have allergies or other requirements which mean they have specific needs then you may need to plan ahead, checking whether the products you need will be available.
You will need to pack the usual number of clothes that you will need for each day of your trip, plus an appropriate number of spare outfits because, as we all know, babies and toddlers are notoriously messy! If you are staying somewhere with laundry facilities then you can definitely get away with packing less and simply washing clothes as and when needed. If there are no laundry facilities where you are going then you may need to pack extras.
If you’re planning a warm weather trip to the beach then you’ll need to make sure you have enough clothes as though you are packing for a city break, but there are plenty of other things you’ll need to make sure your little one’s trip to the beach is safe and comfortable. First and foremost, you’ll need to pack things to protect your little one from the sun.
Child-safe sunscreen is a must and you need to make sure it is applied often and in proper amounts. Swimwear such as a reusable swim diaper can also really help instead of taking your baby into the water in a regular diaper. These are great because you can just wash them and reuse them for as long as they fit your child. You’ll want to take spares just in case.
A baby’s delicate skin will need more coverage than simply sunscreen and a swim diaper though, and you should look for clothing that will keep the sun off and has an SPF rating. Wide brimmed hats are also a must, and you can also buy sun parasols to clip to their pram or stroller.
When it comes to feeding your baby, bring along reusable food containers and utensils if you prefer to avoid single-use plastic products. You’ll also need a means to sanitise baby feeding equipment such as bottles. Additionally, bring a cooler with reusable ice packs to store breastmilk or formula, as well as healthy snacks for your little one if they are old enough for foods other than milk.
Finally, don't forget to bring a lightweight, collapsible stroller or carrier to make navigating the beach and other outdoor areas easier. There is a huge range of carriers and strollers that you can choose from to help you manage getting about with your baby or toddler, from compact buggies to baby wearing accessories.
By packing sustainably and choosing eco-friendly baby care equipment, clothing, and accessories, you can help minimise your impact on the environment while still enjoying a fun and memorable beach vacation with your little one. Having said this, the most important thing to do is plan ahead as much as possible, and keep in mind that these days you can get pretty much anything you may have forgotten to pack when you are en route or when you reach your destination.