Tania Alexander is a freelance journalist who lives in London. She has three children aged 11, 10 and 4 and has written for many newspapers and magazines including the Times and Independent and BBC Parenting magazine.
Going on holiday with a baby or toddler in tow doesn't have to mean overloading on your luggage allowance or (sometimes literally) taking the kitchen sink. But there are a few items that can make holiday travel much easier - here are some of my top buys below.
Under £5
Forehead Thermometer
It is always worrying when your child gets sick away from home. A thermometer enables you to keep a check of their temperature. For travelling I would recommend that you take one of the small ones that you place on the child's forehead to give you a rough gauge of your child's temperature. These are quick and simple to use and easy to pop into a handbag or baby's changing bag. I always also take copious supplies of Calpol (the sachet design is particularly good for travelling with) and keep a couple of sachets to hand on the journey. You can get forehead thermometers from most chemists or you can buy them online from www.boots.com
Ear Planes
Some children suffer agonies because of the changing pressure on their ears when flying. Our daughter used to scream throughout the flight inconsolably until we discovered a clever little device called Ear Planes. They are safe, soft and comfortable in the ears, suitable for one to 11 year olds. It also helps if you can breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby during takeoff and landing. The sucking action seems to help. Toddlers can be given a carton of juice with a straw to suck. Ear Planes can be found in branches of Boots and major chemists or online at www.boots.com
Under £10
Travel bands
Travel sickness is very common in small children and travel sickness medicines are often not suitable for babies and young children. Acupressure bands are a good drug-free method of relief. Using the Chinese principles of acupressure, the bands are positioned around the wrists to help rebalance the Yin and Yang in the body and alleviate sickness. It may sound a bit whacko but on my kids it worked! Most larger chemists stock travel bands.
Inflatable Bath
This is a great little product - a manually inflatable bath so your little one does not miss out on evening splash time whilst on holiday. It is suitable from birth to six months. You can buy them from specialist mail order catalogues or online at www.mothercare.com
Under £12
Aqua Shoes
When our daughter was about eighteen months old she had the classic accident of running along a wet poolside and knocking her front tooth out. Ouch! Ever since I've made mine wear aqua shoes on holiday - these little neoprene shoes help prevent them from slipping and also protect their feet from getting burnt. You can buy Aqua Shoes from Styrox, the makers of Floaties swim aids, at www.styrox.co.uk
Under £25
Sun Tent
A day at the beach sounds fun, but in reality is often too hot for young skins. A pop-up tent for the beach is ideal as you can place your baby or child inside in the heat of the day. They are quick to assemble and light and easy to transport. In fact they are so good that in summer they always sell like hot cakes so you may have to search around to find one still in stock! You can get them from most nursery stores.
Portable High Chair
You will not find a highchair in every restaurant while you are away. When my kids were small we had a fabric tie-on device that strapped them to a chair but I have not been able to source this anywhere (please let us know if you do!). First Years Inflatable Booster Seat is a good compromise - a lightweight portable booster seat that inflates in seconds with the pull of a valve. It is suitable for babies who can sit unaided up, to about three years old. You can find them in branches of Mothercare or independent nursery stores.
Insect Repellent
Babies and young children can get very miserable when bitten by mosquitoes and other insects. If you are going to an area where malaria is prevalent you need to get advice on protection from a travel clinic. When travelling in the UK or the Med, I'd recommend Alfresco Anti Bug Bite Moisturiser (£20 or you can get a pocket-sized one for £6), which is DEET free, safe and gentle on baby's skin and smells divine - of geranium, lavender and melissa. You can buy it online at www.alfresco.uk.com
Under £50
Travel Cot
There are various cots available on the market. I have always liked the classic one you can buy from Mothercare as this can also double up as a play pen. With a small baby (from birth until they can sit upright), it's also worth considering the Pop Up Sleep Easy (about £25) which is a useful little portable bed to put your baby in for a daytime nap. It pops up and down in seconds and has a mesh covering to protect your baby from insects and pets. Also available from www.mothercare.com
Five other packing brainwaves
Here are five other items which I think are well worth taking with you on trips and don't cost a fortune:
A frozen carton of juice
Use as an ice pack en route and then as a lovely cold drink once it thaws. Great for a day out on the beach.
A home-threaded necklace
Juggling a baby on your lap on a plane or train can be tiresome. One good way to keep them amused is to make a strongly threaded necklace before you go. Try painted pieces of pasta, large buttons or any other bits and pieces that they can twiddle on round your neck. Just make sure to take it off again as you get off the plane!
Pushchair
Even if you think your child has outgrown it, don't forget this one! A pushchair is invaluable at airports for transporting your tired child - and also for helping with the hand-luggage. If your child is very young, you'll need one that reclines - ideal for taking them out in the evening with you on holiday.
Plastic teaspoons
Restaurants have an annoying habit of only giving large spoons and forks so be prepared and take a supply of small ones for your baby.
Presents
I'm not suggesting you go and buy a pile of expensive presents for the journey but it's surprising how thrilling a few tiny gifts wrapped up can be for a baby or young child. Part of the fun of course is ripping open the paper - which does help while away some of the journey time. Choose what is age appropriate - a new rattle or feel toy for your baby or a matchbox car or action figure for your toddler.
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