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Our first holiday abroad in April 2026 as just the four of us – so me, my partner and our two girls, was also our first holiday with a baby. Our eldest was born during Covid, and even after that, we’d never actually got away as a couple with just our older daughter before; we’re both from big families, and somehow every trip ended up as a group effort. It meant that the first time we did it on our own, we also had our youngest with us too, at six months old.
Before we even thought about packing, we made sure our youngest had her passport sorted. Baby passport photos are their own challenge; we had to take about fifteen attempts before we got one that met the criteria. Give yourself more time than you think you need for that.
We were a bit nervous going away. A baby in a hot country, formula feeding on the go, a flight with a nearly five year old and an infant. It all felt like a lot. It wasn’t though. If anything, it was easier than the group trips. There was no waiting around for people to get ready. No trying to find a restaurant with a table for ten. It was just us, at our own pace, and the girls answering only to us. Our youngest was six months old and couldn’t have cared less where she was as long as she was fed, cool and comfortable, which meant a very specific infant travel checklist just for her. This post covers everything we packed, including what worked, the products we genuinely wouldn’t travel without again, and what we’d do differently.
Our complete infant holiday packing checklist
A quick checklist of everything we packed for our first holiday with a six month old, with more detail on each section below.
Baby ear defenders – we used these Alpine baby ear defenders for the flight
Fidget toy – this window fidget spinner kept her entertained throughout the flight
Pre-made formula cartons – we use these Aptamil cartons
Nappies, wipes, spare outfit, muslins – more than you think you’ll need
Calpol and medication – just in case
Dummy clips – you don’t want this going missing. There are loads available on Amazon.
Travel buggy – a compact travel buggy that you don’t mind being knocked around during transit
Snoozeshade – I cannot recommend this product enough. The SnoozeShade is an absolute must, and I go into quite a bit of detail as to why below.
Pram fan – a pram fan wraps around the safety bar of the pram to help keep your little one cool
Pram rocker – we have had our Rockit pram rocker since our eldest was a baby; it helps to soothe the baby and gives your arms a rest
Pram toy straps – for our little one, Sophie is life, and she gets thrown out of the pram lots, so these pram toy straps stop toys going missing.
Inflatable baby seat – this inflatable baby seat had more uses than intended, since we used it when showering her and feeding her
Pop up UV beach tent – a UV baby tent is a non-negotiable item for me to keep the baby protected from the sun
UV swimsuit – a good quality UV swimsuit to protect your little one from the sun
Poncho beach towel – I prefer a poncho beach towel which keeps them warm
Sun hat – a sunhat with a wide brim that covers the back of the neck
Polarised baby sunglasses – these polarised baby glasses help reduce glare, and are as cute as they are practical
Swim nappies – pack swim nappies for the inevitable
Suncream – we use La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Kids SPF 50+, which is waterproof and sandproof
Baby carrier – most beaches aren’t pram friendly and so a baby carrier is a must.
Nuby RapidCool – I swear by the Nuby RapidCool and use them at home all of the time
Sterilising tub and Milton tablets – I used this Milton tub and these Milton tablets
Foldable bottle brush set – I used this brush set which had everything we needed inside and folds down for packing
Formula, bottles (we took four bottles)
Baby food, porridge and weaning supplies
Travel cot – if your accommodation doesn’t have one, then a travel cot is an essential item
Two sleep bags – I took two sleep bags as backup in case of any late night accidents
Baby monitor – if you want to leave the bedroom at any point, a baby monitor will give you peace of mind
White noise – either use an iPhone, or a portable white noise machine if your little one needs it to stay asleep
Your baby’s favorite teddy or comfort item
More rompers than you think you need
Dr Beckmann travel wash – this travel wash is small and smells really good
Packing cubes – these packing cubes are not only good for organisation, but they help to compress bulky items too
Calpol
Nappy cream – Bepanthen is my absolute go to
Thermometer (check batteries in your thermometer before you leave)
Plasters and antiseptic wipes
Puppy training pads (as a nappy changing mat)
Teething pain relief
Travel insurance
On the plane
What to pack in your hand luggage with a baby
Our first flight with our baby was to the Algarve. The flight between Liverpool and Faro is around two and a half hours. Our youngest sat on my knee for the duration, which at six months is perfectly manageable on a short haul flight.
The two things that made the biggest difference were the ear defenders and the plane window fidget toy.
Ear defenders – I put these Alpine baby ear defenders on before take-off, and she didn’t make a peep the whole flight. I can’t prove it was the ear defenders rather than her just being in a good mood, but given we had no tears and she’s not always the most relaxed baby, I’m crediting them. They’re specifically designed for babies and reduce noise and pressure rather than completely blocking sound. They were worth every penny in my opinion.
I also tried to give her a bottle on take-off and landing to help with ear pressure; she wasn’t particularly interested, to be honest, but it’s worth trying as it’s a tip most parents give.
Fidget toy – this baby fidget spinner sucks onto the window and gives babies something to play with while they’re sitting still. It kept her entertained for most of the flight, and so it was a successful purchase. We still use it at home as she plays with it on the tray of her high chair while I’m making her dinner.
Formula feeding on the plane – For the flight itself, I just used pre-made formula cartons rather than powder. Our youngest doesn’t love them cold, she’s used to warm milk, but for a two and a half hour flight I didn’t want the hassle of needing to ask for boiling water. Before we boarded, I used the Nuby RapidCool to give her a full feed at the airport, which meant she wasn’t due another one until we were well into the flight.
The pre-made formula cartons are exempt from the 100ml liquid rule at UK airports and so you can take as much as you need for the journey. The same applies to Calpol and any other liquid medication for your baby. Security may ask you to open or taste formula, so just be prepared for that. If you’re travelling with formula powder, keep it in the original tub where possible as some airports may ask you to open it for inspection. It’s worth checking your specific departure airport before you travel, since liquid rules vary slightly depending on whether it has CT scanner technology installed.
Pram and getting around
We took a travel buggy rather than our usual big pram. It folds down small, and it’s lightweight, plus it doesn’t matter as much if it gets knocked around. Our main pram is too bulky and too expensive to risk taking.
SnoozeShade – The Snoozeshade was £35, but worth every penny, and I simply cannot recommend this product enough. I had ummed and ahhed over it because it was pricey, but my brother swore by it so I took the plunge. This is more than just a holiday item, as we have been using it all summer at home too.
I bought it mostly for sun protection on the beach, but what I didn’t anticipate was how much it would transform nap times and evening meals.
The Snoozeshade is a two-layer breathable mesh cover that fits over your pram or buggy. In shade mode, it blocks up to 99% of UV rays while still letting air flow freely and letting your baby see out. In snooze mode, you zip up the outer panel, and it becomes a portable blackout blind, blocking 94% of light and 97.5% of UV. There’s a sneak-a-peek zip so you can check on them without letting light in, and a sleeping baby logo on the front to stop strangers disturbing them.
If you drape a muslin or blanket over a pram in hot weather, it is actually really dangerous, as research has shown it increases the temperature inside significantly and can cause overheating. The Snoozeshade is specifically designed to avoid this, as the mesh is breathable enough for a newborn to breathe against safely.
We put it on from day one. She napped well in it during the day, which is what we bought it for, but what we didn’t plan for was using it at restaurants in the evening. When she fell asleep in the pram while we were eating. The Snoozeshade kept the light out, which meant she stayed asleep while we actually finished a meal. We’d have been lost without it for that alone.
Pram fan – A pram fan has wirey legs, which wrap around the safety bar of the pram, and runs off a USB battery pack. In 30 degree heat it made a real difference having that cool breeze blow on her.
Pram rocker – We have had our Rockit pram rocker since our eldest daughter was a baby, and it’s still going. It clips to the pram and rocks it automatically, mimicking the motion of being pushed. I used it for naps on the go; it saved me having to rock the pram back and forth myself. I actually already had this at home; I didn’t buy it specifically for the holiday, but it was definitely going in my case.
Pram toy straps – These pram toy straps clip onto the pram and attach to toys, so when she throws them, they don’t end up on the floor. Sophie the Giraffe was her most thrown item, and these straps saved her from the floor approximately forty times a day.
Beach essentials
Inflatable baby seat – We went for an inflatable seat rather than a fixed one because it packs easily for both the suitcase and the beach bag. On the beach, it meant our youngest had somewhere to sit upright rather than lying in the pram or being held the whole time. But it ended up being useful in so many other ways too – more on that in the unexpected heroes section below.
Pop-up UV beach tent – This is non-negotiable for a beach holiday with a baby. The UV pop-up tent pops up in seconds, provides UV protection and gives her a shaded space on the sand to sit and play without being in direct sunlight. I use it at home in the garden too during hot weather. Babies under six months should be kept completely out of direct sunlight, so if you’re travelling with a young baby and planning any time on the beach, this isn’t optional.
UV swimsuit – This is as important as sun cream for a baby on the beach. A UV swimsuit protects skin from the sun and reduces how much sun cream you need to apply and reapply. Look for a long-sleeved, full body suit with a UPF 50+ rating.
Sun hat – A sun hat with a wide brim that covers the back of the neck, and ties under the chin so it stays on.
Poncho beach towel – I prefer to use a poncho style beach towel, which keeps your little one warm while they dry off.
Cocosand polarised baby sunglasses – I couldn’t believe my little one kept these polarised baby sunglasses on. They have a strap that goes around the back of her head. Polarised lenses specifically reduce glare, which was great on the beach where the sun reflects off the sand and water.
Sun cream – I prefer to buy sun cream in the UK so I can check the star rating on the back of the bottle. We use the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Dermo-Pediatrics Invisible Spray, SPF 50+, which is specifically formulated for children’s sensitive skin. I like it because it’s not just water proof but sweat and sand resistant too. It’s fragrance free and designed for sensitive and atopic skin, which for a baby is exactly what you want. Reapply constantly regardless of the brand you use, especially after any water contact.
Swim nappies – Pack more swim nappies than you think you need. They’re not always easy to find abroad, and you go through them.
Baby carrier – Most beaches aren’t pram friendly, so a baby carrier is usually a must. However, we used the carrier primarily at the airport rather than the beach itself, and it turned out to be one of the most useful things we packed. Ryanair boards via steps, which means you’re standing in the stairwell waiting to board with a pram, a baby and whatever else you’re carrying. The carrier meant she was strapped to me, my hands were free, and when they took the pram at the steps I could walk up onto the plane without trying to hold her and manage everything else at the same time.
Formula feeding on holiday
I really struggled to find much information online for formula feeding on holiday, as most baby holiday packing guides were written by breastfeeding mums. I had not long finished my breastfeeding journey and so my little one was formula fed and in the very early stages of weaning.
Nuby RapidCool – This was an absolute godsend. The Nuby RapidCool cools a freshly made formula feed from boiling water to the right temperature in around two minutes, to NHS guidelines. You fill it with boiling water, add the formula powder, mix it and wait for the digital display to turn green.
We were in an apartment so we used our own kettle most of the time. But if you’re in a hotel, ask the restaurant or bar to fill your flask with boiling water for you.
I used it to give her a full feed before we boarded the plane so she wasn’t due another one mid-flight. On days out, I just kept the insulated flask filled with boiling water from the apartment and made feeds on the go. That way there was no need to ask anyone for boiling water. For any formula feeding parent travelling with a baby, I’d say it is the most important thing on this list.
Foldable bottle brush set – I kept this foldable bottle brush set by the kitchen sink for the whole trip. It folds down small enough to fit in a changing bag but has everything you need. There’s a brush, teat cleaner and a drying rack too.
Sterilising tub and Milton tablets – I filled the Milton tub with cold water and added a Milton tablet every day. Everything that needed sterilising went in for 15 mins, and that was it. It is also microwaveable.
A few years back for my eldest daughter, I actually just used the bathroom sink instead of a tub, which worked too. It just meant using more tablets because we’d need to use the sink. Whereas with the tub, we just used one tablet every 24hrs.
Formula and bottles – I brought formula from home rather than risk any changes to the ingredients with one abroad. I travelled with four bottles, which was enough and meant we always had a clean one ready while the others were sterilising.
Baby food, porridge and weaning supplies – At six months she was just starting to wean so I brought ready made pouches, porridge and her spoons from home. Baby food is available in Portuguese supermarkets but having a familiar supply for the first few days took the pressure off while we were finding our feet. They also let me take them all through in my hand luggage without needing to go in the clear bag.
Sleep
Getting a baby to sleep in an unfamiliar environment is one of the biggest worries before a first holiday. But actually, it was more manageable than I expected. But that’s because we kept as much of the routine the same as possible.
Both our apartments had a travel cot provided, which saved us bringing one, so it’s worth checking with your accommodation before you travel since it’s one less big, bulky thing to pack.
Travel cot – our apartment already had a cot, and so we didn’t need to take one. However, if yours doesn’t, this travel cot is well reviewed and good value. Check with your airline, but in many cases they usually allow two out of three items, allowing you to choose between a travel cot, buggy and car seat for your two items.
Sleep bags – I brought two sleeping bags just in case of any accidents.
Baby monitor – A baby monitor is essential so you can keep an eye on your little one while they sleep in a different room. Even if you plan to share a room, it means you can move to a different room without constantly checking in on them.
White noise – I didn’t bring a separate white noise machine; I just used my iPhone. But if your little one needs white noise to stay asleep, then these portable options work great.
The Snoozeshade – again – I mentioned this in the pram section, but the SnoozeShade earns a second mention here because I cannot recommend it enough. It keeps the nap environment dark during the day, which means better sleep. We use this all of the time on our days out at home too.
Clothing and laundry
I packed what I thought was more than enough for five days. But Easter weather in the Algarve can be unpredictable, and we had more cooler days than I had anticipated, which meant I ran out of vests and baby grows.
Dr Beckmann travel wash – This is worth packing just in case. I used Dr Beckmann travel wash for washing. It smelt really good too.
Packing cubes – These packing cubes are worth using for a baby holiday specifically because you’re packing so many small items which are good to keep organised in piles. We had vests, sleepsuits, bibs, muslins, so it meant I knew exactly where they were located. We also traveled to New York at Christmas, and they squished our knitted jumpers down so they didn’t take up as much room in our suitcase.
How many clothes to pack:
– More vests than you think you need. They’re the first thing to go in unpredictable weather
– At least two full outfit changes per day
– Spare sleepsuits and sleep bags for nighttime accidents
– A lightweight layer for cooler evenings or air-conditioned restaurants
Health and first aid
Pack a first aid kit and keep it accessible rather than buried at the bottom of a suitcase.
What we packed:
Calpol
This is non-negotiable; keep it in your hand luggage just in case, not your hold luggage.
Nappy cream
Bepanthen is my go-to, and in my opinion, the best for nappy rash, which can flare up in the heat.
Thermometer
Check the batteries in your thermometer before you leave. Dead batteries at 2am abroad when you’re trying to check a temperature is not a situation you want to be in.
Puppy training pads
I use puppy training pads instead of a changing mat. They’re disposable, completely flat, take up almost no space, and you throw them away after each use. There’s no bulky changing mat to transport and no washing.
Antiseptic wipes
Great for cleaning cuts and wiping down surfaces.
Plasters
A must anywhere, not just on holiday.
Mosquito protection
You will need to research your specific location before you travel. If you’re travelling somewhere where mosquitoes are a known issue, then pack a baby-safe repellent and a mosquito net for the pram and cot.
Teething powders
These are a must if your baby is teething or approaching it.
Travel insurance – Get it and make sure your baby is specifically named on the policy. Don’t skip it to save money.
What I’d do differently
I overpacked baby snacks. She was just starting to wean so I brought a full supply of baby biscuits and snacky bits to keep her going between meals. She barely touched them. She was getting enough from her main meals and then milk in-between. We came back with most unopened.
What I underpacked was vests. The weather was cooler than we expected. The weather in the Algarve in April can be unpredictable. So she went through the warmer layers quicker than I thought. I ended up hand washing vests every other day to keep up. Pack more vests than you think you need.
Six months turned out to be a really lovely age for a first holiday abroad. She was old enough to aware of her surroundings, and yet not quite mobile enough to be a flight risk, and young enough that the trip didn’t need to revolve around her entertainment. She was happy as long as she was fed and comfortable.
The things that mattered most at this age were keeping the feeding routine as consistent as possible, sleeping, and making sure we had proper sun protection. Everything else was manageable on the ground.
The unexpected heroes
Inflatable baby seat
I actually bought this for the beach. But, what I didn’t anticipate was how many other problems it would solve.
A few days before we travelled it occurred to me that the apartments might not have a bath, so I checked, and they didn’t. I put the inflatable seat in the shower, sat her in it and showered her. She was perfectly stable, completely safe and I had both hands free. It was a problem solved with something I’d already packed.
It also became her feeding chair in the apartment too. There was no high chair, and so she sat in the inflatable seat on the floor at mealtimes. Three different uses from one item that packed flat and took up almost no space or weight in the suitcase.
SnoozeShade
The unexpected use was in the evenings. When she fell asleep in the pram at a restaurant, the Snoozeshade kept the light out and she stayed asleep while we actually finished a meal in peace. It also has a sleeping baby emblem on the front which discourages people from peering in and waking her, which is a small but useful detail so people know not to disturb.
Rockit pram rocker
Five days of rocking a pram in the heat while also managing a five year old is more tiring than it sounds. The Rockit clipped on, rocked the pram automatically which helped sooth her to sleep.
Final thoughts
Our first holiday as just the four of us turned out to be one of the easiest trips we’ve taken. There was no coordinating a big group, no back and forth on where to eat. Mostly, there was no waiting around for people to get ready. It was just us, and at our own pace.
The products that we really couldn’t have managed without changed were the Snoozeshade, the RapidCool and the inflatable seat. None of them are expensive and can be used at home too.
If you’re formula feeding your baby, the RapidCool is an absolute must, and if you’re going somewhere sunny, the Snoozeshade is a must too. Also pack more warmer layers like vests than you think you need if you’re traveling around Easter like us, and check the weather properly. Most importantly, get travel insurance before you do anything.