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Trouble-free travelling with a small child

Be aware of your child’s needs

A young child can quickly become over stimulated by too many new sights and sounds. On the other hand, a toddler will quickly become bored by having to sit still for too long, or by relentless sightseeing. So keep your itinerary very simple, and only plan one major activity per day. Be ready to be flexible if your child shows signs of boredom or receiving too much stimulation.

Pick a destination the whole family will enjoy

Avoid anywhere that’s too busy or crowded. If you’re travelling somewhere hot, look out for a place that will have plenty of shade and protection for your child. Check that the hotel you’re staying in provides meals for children, and that it has babysitting services, crèches and other facilities for young children, such as a baby pool or a children’s play area.

Preparation for the big trip

Involve your child in your holiday plans by showing her pictures of your destination, and talking about what you’ll be doing together when you get there. This will help her to feel excited about what lies ahead and to know what to expect from her time away. This will also help prevent any real anxieties about the journey from developing.

How to manage your journey with a young child

If you drive to your holiday destination, break up the journey to give your child plenty of chances to have a stretch and some fresh air. Make sure your baby's car seat is properly installed and use removable window shades to give her protection from the sun’s rays. Carry plenty of snacks, drinks, toys and other entertainments to keep your toddler happy en route.

Health and safety checks

When you arrive at your accommodation, take some time to check around before you let your toddler run free. Has the living space been baby proofed? Are the electrical sockets covered? Are there any dangerous looking stairs or a balcony? Could your toddler be at risk in the kitchen if there is one?

Check the whole place and prepare it as if it were your own home, thinking about all the toddler-proofing you have there. Is there anything you can ask the owners to do in advance to make your accommodation safer, or anything you could bring from home, such as electrical outlet covers?

Fun in the sun

It’s well known that as the ozone layer diminishes, the risks for everyone from the sun’s rays are increasing. Children are especially at risk from the sun, as their skin is so thin and delicate.

A child's skin can burn in as little as ten minutes and research has shown that six episodes of serious sunburn before the age of 18 doubles the risk of developing skin cancer as an adult. So bring plenty of hats, high factor sunscreen and clothing that’s UV protective.

Sunscreens

A sunscreen with a high protection factor (SPF) is essential. You should apply the cream 15-30 minutes before going outside. This gives your child’s skin the chance to absorb the cream before the sun’s rays hit it.

Remember that even if it says its waterproof, sunscreen does eventually completely wash off, and its effectiveness lessens during swimming. So remember to reapply cream after your children have been swimming or playing games with water in the garden.

Sun protective clothing

Remember that some clothes are too thin to protect your child’s skin from the sun, and skin damage can be happening even though your toddler appears to be completely covered up. Even on a winter holiday the sun’s rays can be extremely strong, so don’t forget sun protection just because there’s snow on the ground.

Choose cool, close-weave baggy clothing made from cotton and linen. Change clothing after your child’s been playing in water, as wet clothing can lose up to half its UV protection.

To keep your toddler warm happy and protected from the sun during the day on the beach look out for what look like mini wetsuits, with sleeves and legs. These provide great ultra-violet protection factor (UPF) of up to factor 50 or more.

Sunstroke occurs when your baby’s head gets overheated so to avoid any problems make sure she’s wearing a wide-brimmed hat whenever she’s out in the sun. Avoid baseball style caps, as they don’t offer any protection to the back of the neck.

Eye protection

A pair of toddler wraparound sunglasses will protect your child’s eyes and the delicate skin round them from the sun's rays. Look for sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection.

Shade protection

Babies and toddlers should never be left in the direct sun as they can burn and overheat very quickly. If you’re taking your car or hiring one while you’re away, get a removable car-shade screen for the car's windows to shield your child’s skin and eyes from the sun. When you’re out and about, remember that the shade can be lost as the sun moves so try to find somewhere that will allow you to move around with the sun. Carry a sun canopy or parasol, so if there’s no shade to be found, you can create your own.

Baby supplies

Bring a first aid kit of essentials including rehydration salts in case of tummy troubles, a baby thermometer, infant paracetamol, antiseptic cream and creams for bites and stings. Plasters are also a good idea.

You’ll probably find that nappies, bottles and teats are readily available and often cheaper if you’re abroad, so don’t fill up your suitcase space with nappies. If you are bottle feeding, be aware that the formula you can buy abroad may not be the same as your child is used to, so it’s a good idea to bring enough formula with you. Carry plenty of wet wipes in your hand luggage or handbag – they’re invaluable for everything from wiping sticky fingers, to cleaning a spoon thrown on the floor.

You’ll also need to think about bringing a travelling cot, or, if the option exists, ordering one when you book your accommodation. If you wait until you arrive, you may be too late to get one.

Out and about

When you go out and about you’ll want to be able to transport your toddler with minimum fuss. So consider bringing a really lightweight pushchair that's easy to fold and carry and a backpack-style carrier so you’re ready for all possibilities.

As always, you’ll be carrying supplies like nappies with you, but for ease of use consider a backpack instead of a shoulder bag. It’s far more comfortable to wear if you’re on the move for the day.

If you plan to hire a car, find out if car seats are provided or if you should bring your own with you. To give you a bit of a rest, consider a portable playpen so your toddler can play securely in a new environment.