Packing for ToddlersMay 27 '00 Write an essay on this topic.My husband, my then 15-month-old daughter and I took a two-week vacation in two areas of Florida last March (2000). I spent about that long (two weeks) agonizing over what to bring with us from home to make this vacation easier.... Traveling with a toddler DOES have its challenges after all. All I can say is, “Thank goodness we came prepared!” My "packing list" certainly proved to be useful. I am going to share that list with you here. Please Note This review is a revised and condensed version of one I have posted under "Traveling with kids." This is a new category and I have received so much positive feedback (email & comments left) about how useful my packing suggestions were that I have brought many of those packing ideas here. My editorial on "Air Travel With Kids" is also taken from that editorial. This editorial will provide my “Packing List” (which won't include clothes, as only YOU can decide what you’ll feel comfortable bringing or omitting) and what you "don't need" to pack. I keep this list saved on my computer and every trip as my children grow, I will revise it to make those packing decisions easier for next time. Let’s face it, half the stress of going away on a vacation is deciding what you need to bring & worrying that you might forget something important. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What to Pack: If you’ve traveled with your toddler before you know that you will be bringing more with you on vacation than you ever have in the past. With this in mind, I suggest you find out if where you are going has laundry facilities because the idea is to pack as little as possible. Also, don’t forget that you can buy most necessities there (i.e. Diapers & wipes.) ***Important NOTE: Most locations have businesses that rent equipment and toys. For big, important items (such as a crib, high chair, playpen, or stroller), you should call ahead and reserve them if possible. We rented 2 cribs (one to use as a playpen in the mornings while we showered), and a high chair. They also rent toys, VCRs (you can rent at any Blockbuster), exersaucers, etc. • Car seat. Please travel with your own car seat. You do NOT want to rely on a borrowed or used use, as their “history” is unknown to you. Even the slightest fender-bender can compromise the effectiveness of a car seat. • Old favorites. For us this meant my daughter’s favorite books, a hard wood puzzle (pieces in a bag), 2 blankets, all 4 of her miniature Teletubbie stuffed animals, and a few plastic action figures). I really think having these familiar and cherished items made the “change” in environment much easier for her. **Make sure to bring anything that is part of your “night-time routine”. For us this meant Baby Mozart video, a portable CD player, my daughter’s nighttime CD, and Po (teletubbie) slippers. • Favorite diaper changing distraction item. For us, this is a musical bear that she activates herself with the press of a button. Music plays and lights flash, and for some reason this object interests her change after change. I list this item separately (instead of under the “carry on” bag items) because it is THAT important to your sanity. You never know when or where you will need to change a diaper, or what your child’s mood will be. Better to bring something proven to work. • Something New. Consider bringing one or two things that your child has never seen before. These things will come in handy in any public place where your toddler becomes restless or cranky, including restaurants. We brought a few new board books, a plastic slinky, and the Vtech, Nursery Rhyme Land. I reviewed this toy. If you care to read it, the URL is: http://www.epinions.com/kifm review-4C07-A5EE04D-38ABD07D-prod6 . • For Meals. We packed disposable bibs, three real bibs, 2 baby spoons, and 2 spill proof sippy cups. The disposable bibs can be purchased in many large drug stores or from many catalogs featuring baby items. It is important to buy them before you leave so you can test them out! Many children will not leave them on. I am lucky; my daughter doesn’t mind them. If your baby will eat from a regular-sized teaspoon, you can eliminate the baby spoons. • TWO “Travel Wipe Containers.” Huggies makes one that you can fill up with any brand of wipes you prefer. I suggest you bring two because you will want to leave one underneath your stroller so you’ll always have some with you. And need one for your diaper bag. My philosophy is “You can NEVER have too many wipes on hand.” You never know when you will have an emergency. . . • Small Tupperware container filled with crackers and cookies. I like to use a small circle-shaped one. Tupperware is better than plastic bags because they protect the contents better against breakage. • Cold pack, small collapsible cooler carrier, 2 sippy cups full of milk. The cooler I am referring to is one of those small plastic ones that you received in the hospital after giving birth. Nowadays you can also find those collapsible lunch-box type coolers too. I placed a frozen, plastic ice pack on the bottom and packed 2 sippy cups full of milk. Naturally, you can substitute with juice or water. But since they offer those beverages on the plane and in the airports, I chose to fill mine with the organic whole milk I buy for my daughter. • Emergency lollypop and bib. My daughter has had the pleasure of eating a lollipop about 5 times in her life. I keep 3-4 in my diaper bag at all times in case an uncontrollable temper tantrum occurs in a very public place (where many people will be disturbed). I allow my daughter to have her temper tantrums when we are alone, but refuse to allow this behavior when it can really disturb others. She is NOT learning that she is being rewarded for her behavior because I am careful to give them to her “before” these episodes erupt. I suggest the bib because at this age, our children are not effective at “licking” and really don’t understand the whole concept behind eating a lollypop. But she does enjoy them (until her hands get too sticky). This is another time when you will be glad to have packed extra wipes. . to clean up the messy fingers and face. • Miscellaneous, Yet Important Items. Are these items necessary? You might not think so. But for my husband and me, it enabled us to relax a little more because we worried a little less. These items are: 6-8 socket covers, 2 small night-lights, a little screwdriver & one package of batteries. The screwdriver is for replacing batteries. If your toddler is skilled at opening doors, I would also suggest you bring a toilet lid lock. I also brought two hats, to help shield my daughters eyes from the sun. *Try to buy hats in the correct size before you leave so you will have them immediately. A “harness” (like a leash) for those times when my daughter REALLY wanted to walk, and the surroundings were rather hectic. I also brought my daughter’s slippers because I knew from regular visits, that the tile floors in the timeshare condo we stay in when in Key West always leave feet black! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What you DON’T NEED: • Special towels. Baby might prefer the softer baby towels, but we used regular towels and our daughter didn’t complain. • Bath toys. There are so many things that your baby can play with while in the tub. During one bath taken in the kitchen sink, my daughter reached over and grabbed a whole, unpeeled banana. She was happy dipping that in and out of the water. Be creative. • More than one full day of diapers & wipes. Diapers and wipes can be purchased wherever you are. Bring a few coupons in your wallet to combat the higher prices that might be charged. Reminder NOTE: Most locations have businesses that rent equipment and toys. For big, important items (such as a crib, high chair, playpen, or stroller), you should call ahead and reserve them if possible. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As always, I encourage you to please add your suggestions for what has worked for you in my comment section! Nothing would make me happier than to find several more unique ideas!  |
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