Going on vacation with a child under the age of 3... O joy of discovery, but what an organizational challenge! Because it's unthinkable not to go, and because you don't want to miss your summer vacations either, it's up to you to prepare everything and forget nothing for the most relaxed family holiday possible. To make traveling with baby as stress-free and clutter-free as possible, discover the 5 Élhée essentials.
CONTENTS :
- Essential no. 1: a Mary Poppins diaper bag to keep everything in order
- Essentiel n°2: all the accessories for a zen baby, just like at home
- Essential no. 3: an appropriate first-aid kit, whatever your destination
- Essential no. 4: feeding and tasting equipment everywhere, all the time
- Essential n°5: a mobile bottle warmer for milk at 37°C
- Bonus: transporting baby, yes, but in comfort and not in Sherpa mode
Essential no. 1: a Mary Poppins diaper bag to keep everything in order
Mary Poppins said, " Never judge things by the way they look." And if it works for her wonderful magic bag (which we all envy), it can also work for baby's changing bag. Before you leave, test several configurations and see how you can optimize it, especially if you're traveling by plane. You can divide your baby's suitcase and diaper bag between :
- clothing: T-shirts, tank tops, pants, shorts, dresses, skirts, sweaters or cardigans, depending on the season.
- For the night: add onesies, pyjamas, a sleeping bag or baby sleeping bag and a diaper if you're using one.
- On the beach: don't forget your swimsuit, which will complete the list of (easy-to-wash) clothes to take with you.
- Don't forget plenty of conventional diapers (depending on your destination, you may be able to buy some locally) and wipes, which are always handy when traveling, as well as small plastic bags like a freezer bag, to lock everything away in case there are no garbage garbage cans during the hours of travel.
If your mode of travel allows, and depending on where you're staying, an inflatable bathtub and a changing mat or thick beach towel can be invaluable (zero space taken up in the trunk or hold). This is where the Mary Poppins bag comes in!
Note: if you're planning to travel abroad, in or outside the EU zone, reserve a pocket in your bag for family papers: health documents, ID cards and passports first.
Essentiel n°2: all the accessories for a zen baby, just like at home
Going on vacation is often a change of scenery - in fact, it's the whole point. But for your baby, depending on his age, the experience can be a little stressful or simply tiring. So the best thing to do is to make sure you take everything your baby needs to stay comfortable at home:
- or blanket,
- his indispensable Pacifier (and a few other spare teats),
- a nightlight,
- a white noise machine to help baby fall asleep in an unfamiliar environment, perhaps a little less quiet than at home.
In advance, don't hesitate to ask your hosts about overnight facilities for babies. You'll find out whether you need to bring your own mattress and cot, or rent one on site.
Essential no. 3: an appropriate first-aid kit, whatever your destination
"Nothing's worth thinking the worst, it's better to leave equipped" could be embroidered on your first-aid kit, which is all the more important when you're on vacation, especially if you're going abroad with a baby.
In France, medical coverage is quite good, but you should always bring your baby with you:
- Paracetamol in doses appropriate to baby's weight, for use in cases of fever and mild pain,
- an infrared thermometer,
- oral rehydration solutions (ORS) for diarrhoea,
- a baby fly and saline solution (especially for winter vacations),
- bandages for small wounds,
- antiseptic (non-stinging),
- an anti-burn cream (such as Bépanthène®) and another adapted fordiaper rash (such as Mitosyl®),
- Also, if your child is already on the move, anti-contusion gel (such as Arnigel®) and tweezers in case of splinters,
- Aspivenin should also be part of every trip.
In France and abroad, add a mosquito repellent that can be used on babies' skin, an anti-itch cream, an anti-malarial (mainly in Africa, South America and Asia) and something to combat nausea or motion sickness. Your paediatrician will be able to tell you which molecules, drugs and dosages are recommended for your child's age.
Of course, if your infant, baby or child is undergoing regular treatment, don't forget to take along theprescription and the health record, in which all vaccinations should be up to date.
To help you, a directory of medical centers in France is available online, as are instructions on how to get to a doctor or hospital in the EU zone. For emergencies anywhere in Europe, dial 112.
Focus on sun protection for children
For a vacation in the sun, reserve a place in your suitcase for the various accessories your baby will need to enjoy the beach and the fine weather without risk.
A hat or cap, sunglasses and anti-UV clothing reinforce the protection provided by an SPF50+ anti-UVA and UVB sun cream - choose organic if you can, to avoid as many harmful chemical ingredients as possible.
Babies under 1 year of age should not be exposed to the sun. For older children, avoid the hottest hours of the day (between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.) and apply sunscreen regularly, as well as after every swim.
Essential no. 4: take a bottle of milk and snacks with you everywhere, all the time
A baby means several meals, bottles and baby food every day, which you mustn't forget, otherwise you'll experience a surge of stress that's hard to control. So don't forget to pack your baby's bottle, measuring cup, formula or breast pump, potty, spoon, spare teats, bib and bottle warmer before you leave.
Do you find this list a little cumbersome? Élhée has designed for you and your baby the first unbreakable baby bottle that can be adapted to certain breast pumps and transformed into a potty.
Yes, our anti-colic feeding bottle can be used from birth and, thanks to its adaptor, can be converted into a container to collect your milk. It can also be used as a potty, thanks to its hermetically sealed lid, and as a training cup if fitted with a flexible suction spout.
To make your life easier, we've designed a nursing set that includes two BibRONDS 150 and 240 ml, two XS extralent flow teats and a set of 2 breast pump and/or bottle warmer adapters. All you need is a spoon😉
Note that Élhée baby bottles, made from medical-grade silicone, can be microwaved without the risk of microplastic diffusion. Nevertheless, electric bottle warmers and bain-marie are still the two preferred alternatives for preserving nutrient quality and avoiding burns.
Essential n°5: a mobile bottle warmer for milk at 37°C
Your baby prefers to drink his milk lukewarm, all the time, winter or summer. However, getting a saucepan and a hotplate together for an express bain-marie on the beach, in the plane or on a hike can be tricky.
That's why we've come up with a nomadic, cordless, ultra-lightweight bottle warmer with great autonomy. What's its name? TooGo! Fast and efficient, it heats milk and water in 5 minutes, with no risk of overheating. It's also indispensable thanks to an 8 to 12-hour battery life and compatibility with Avent, Spectra (S1) and Ardo breastpumps (not forgetting, of course, all Élhée feeding bottles).
To use it, simply fill your bottle with milk (breast or infant), screw the Élhée nomad bottle warmer onto it using its adapter, turn it upside down, set the temperature with the tip of your finger (37°C for a perfect bottle), keep baby occupied for 5 minutes, turn the bottle warmer upside down again, unscrew it and replace it with the teat. It's ready! 🍼
Bonus: transporting baby, yes, but in comfort and not in Sherpa mode
Finally, there's one last crucial point to consider before traveling with a baby: carrying. Because he often sleeps, but above all because he doesn't walk or doesn't walk very much, you're going to have to carry or push your child everywhere you go. A real challenge if you don't want to turn into a trekking porter and travel light.
- The essential cane stroller is very practical to slip into the trunk of your car, takes up very little space and adapts to a variety of terrains, for transporting children from 9 to 12 months. For the little ones, a cosy car seat can be adapted to a stroller frame for strolling.
- Travelling by plane or train? Choose ultralight, ultra-compact and ultra-comfortable strollers that fold and unfold with just one hand, or a front carrier (but be careful in hot weather), or asling (up to 6-8 months) that's definitely all-terrain and leaves your hands free.
If you're into hiking, sightseeing or long-distance excursions, a backpack (from 9 months) may be just what you're looking for.
Of course, a few toys, books, music, a warm jacket, a pair of boots or sandals, crayons... will also be useful depending on your little one's age. To think of everything(🤞) ask parents around you who have already tried the experience of traveling with their child for advice!
Les biberons Élhée accompagneront votre bébé de la naissance jusqu'à 24 mois et plus, pour lui permettre une parfaite autonomie, sans risque de casse.
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