Infant Aquatics Classes
HOORAY, IT'S HOLIDAY TIME!!!!!!!!
This is the page devoted to helpful hints on travelling and holidaying with babies, toddlers and small children.
There is a downloadable tick list for packing and travelling too!
| NAPPIES | Count how many you will need then take a few more. They may be hard to find, really expensive, or totally inferior - better safe than sorry! If you use cotton nappies think about how to get wet ones home. |
| WIPES | You will use loads |
| ZIPLOC BAGS | These are really useful for
transporting things about that may leak, toiletries, or things that
have had to be rinsed through. Keep one spare at all
times. Because they are see-through it is really easy to find
things too. They are generally available from places like Woolworths or WHSmith etc, but the ones we use are available from dive shops and are great - available in lots of sizes, really robust and totally leakproof! |
| FOOD / DRINK | Dried packet food which you
mix with water is ideal as they are lightweight and easy. Take
a TRAVEL KETTLE so you can ensure water is properly boiled (don't
forget ADAPTOR PLUGS). Keep a box in your travel bag at all
times for emergencies. A MINI BLENDER is useful too for making
adult food easier to eat. Don't forget it contains a blade so
cannot go in your hand luggage on a plane. BABY SPOONS OR CUTLERY and a couple of BABY BEAKERS or BOTTLES. Remember they will need to drink lots more in a hot place to keep hydrated. RUSKS / BISCUITS / SNACKS - more than you think you can possibly need! Don't forget you may get stuck on a plane for hours, even before it takes off, with no food or drink available from the cabin crew |
| SMALL TOYS | Make sure a favourite or
two is available for the flight, plus bottle or breast for take-off
and landing, or a sweet to suck for older ones, to help their ears
adjust. If your little one is mobile I suggest forgetting any embarrassment and just let them play and crawl in the aisles (under supervision of course). While you are moving around it is helping protect against DVT too. The main thing to remember is, most passengers are bored and watching a little person playing keeps them amused too - you are providing in-flight entertainment. If your little one is bored, crying and upset I'm sure ,other passengers would like it less. |
| PUSHCHAIR | Lightweight, collapsible, with sunshade. Use them all the way up to the aeroplane then the crew will stow it and make it immediately available for when you get off the plane. |
| TODDLER BACK PACK | We use a MERBABIES SWIM BAG
as a backpack with the rope ends tied shorter. Toddlers love
having their own bag to pack and carry - also good for getting them
to limit how many toys they take with them. CONTAINS; A few lightweight toys Spare pants / nappy plus short and t-shirt in case of accidents Lightweight story books Personal CD player and audio book CDs (Limewire.com is great for selecting and burning your own with ones you think your child will like - free site). These are great for in-car/ plane/ bus etc etc or just general boredom. Disposable camera - most children love these - makes them feel really grown up! The underwater ones are great fun too! |
| SUNSUITS AND HATS | tHESE
ARE BRILLIANT FOR HOLIDAYS - OUR CHILDREN RARELY WEAR ANYTHING ELSE! the lycra mix ones are great for swimming in too as they dry really quickly. Cotton mix ones can be swum in too but do dry a bit more slowly so are better for days where they are less likely to get wet - carry a spare with you at all times in case of a dinner attack! Use your baby wash to rinse them out and three will be all you need all holiday for your little ones staple outfits and they keep them protected in the sun too! REMEMBER - buy five items in one transaction from Merbabies and you get 10% discount. |
| FOOTWEAR | Beaches and poolsides can
be hot on little feet, there can be sharp stones, shells or the odd
nipping crab or nasty mean sea urchins! Keep feet safe. See our 'Shorefeet' for little ones which are great! |
| SWIM NAPPIES / COSTUMES / TRUNKS | Essential holiday items. There are a huge variety of styles and designs available from us. There are ones that match the 'Lion in the Sun All-in-Ones too. Keep your little one in a standard nappy and sunsuit then put the swim nappy on just before entering the water - no swim nappies will hold 'wee' in - nor would you want them to do so for obvious reasons. Costumes and trunks available too with integrated nappies or without. |
| WETSUITS | This may sound like
overkill but really it isn't. The sea and most outdoor pools are not going to be as hot as the pools that Merbabies use, so as far as I am concerned they are absolutely essential to stop yourself getting cold, miserable offspring. They are available from Merbabies in tiny baby sizes up to age six. The baby snugs don't require a swim nappy to be used with them. It is important that these are close fitting or they will not work properly - DO NOT BUY THEM WITH GROWING ROOM - there is a very good reason why divers can be seen struggling to get into skin-tight suits and it isn't vanity! |
| TOWEL / BATHROBE | Ideal for poolside or on the beach. Pop on a Merbabies bathrobe for instant cosiness. |
| SNORKEL GEAR | Add a new dimension of fun
to swimming - you can use them in class too! They can really
help children make the jump to 'classic' swimming as the buoyancy
created by the air pocket in the mask combined with not having to
think so much about breathing can provide a really helpful link in
the learning chain. It's a great confidence giver and the
snorkel is a valuable teaching tool. Small size ones are
available from Merbabies. They are great for viewing the odd crab or little fish in the sea, or for using with an underwater camera. Start building confidence with these in the bath or in shallow water. |
| GOGGLES | Useful from babies up - salt water may sting their eyes. Start by getting used to them in the bath, really good for those who don't like getting shampoo in their eyes as well. Fun for using with their first underwater camera for toddlers too! |
| BABY / KIDZ BANZ | Or other sunglasses. Make sure the ones you get offer good UV protection for eyes. Baby and Kidz Banz are fitted with a neoprene strap so are secure and there is not a possibility of little ones poking themselves in the eyes with the arms, unlike conventional ones). Practice before your holiday if your little one is not used to them. Available from Merbabies |
| VESTS | Ideal for just taking off the chill at bedtime without roasting your little one in full sleeping kit. |
| EVENING OUTFITS | No - I'm not talking
sequins! Depends where you are going - if it is warm in the evenings too just stick with the sunsuits and maybe add a cardigan if necessary |
| LIGHTWEIGHT JACKET | Speak for itself |
| LIGHTWEIGHT BLANKET / MUSLIN CLOTH | Just enough to keep cool winds off for daytime naps or to throw over you little one in the pushchair in the evenings |
| BABY WASH | LOTS!!!! For washing everyone and rinsing laundry through. |
| TOOTHBRUSH AND TOOTHPASTE | For that single tooth (or maybe more) |
| SUGGESTED MEDICINES | Always check for age suitability and consult a pharmacist for advice |
| RE-HYDRATION SACHETS | Some of these are suitable for babies although most medicines to stop runny tummies are not, so these could be important if your little one is affected |
| ANTISEPTIC | Ensure all small scratches are treated |
| PLASTERS | For instant 'better-making'! |
| ONCE A DAY SUN CREAM | See Ultrasun which is available from Merbabies. Waterproof too - it is brilliant! |
| ANTIHISTAMINES | Cream is very useful for stopping fearsome scratching of bites - Piriton, or similar, is handy to have too. |
| CALPOL / OTHER INFANT PARACETAMOL | Sachets are ideal for holiday use |
| TEETHING POWDERS / GEL | Easily forgotten when trying to remember everything else you need. |
| MOTION SICKNESS MEDICINE | Check ages suitable for. |
| INSECT REPELLANT | The wipes are really useful and you can keep a few in your bag at all times |
TICK LIST download
| NAPPIES | ALSO IN TRAVEL BAG | ||
| BABY WIPES | ALSO IN TRAVEL BAG | ||
| ZIPLOC OR OTHER WATERPROOF BAGS | ALSO IN TRAVEL BAG | ||
| TRAVEL KETTLE | |||
| MINI BLENDER | |||
| ADAPTOR PLUGS | |||
| DRIED BABY FOOD (ADD WATER TYPE) | ALSO IN TRAVEL BAG | ||
| BABY CUTLERY AND BOWL | ALSO IN TRAVEL BAG | ||
| SMALL TOYS | ALSO IN TRAVEL BAG | ||
| SNACKS | ALSO IN TRAVEL BAG | ||
| COLLAPSIBLE PUSHCHAIR WITH SUNSHADE | |||
| TODDLER BACKPACK - SEE SUGGESTED CONTENTS ABOVE | FOR TRAVELLING | ||
| EMERGENCY OUTFIT CHANGE | IN TRAVEL BAG | ||
| SUNSUITS AND HATS | |||
| SHOREFEET OR OTHER BEACH SHOES | |||
| FLIP FLOPS / SANDALS | |||
| SWIM NAPPIES | |||
| SWIM COSTUMES / TRUNKS | |||
| TOWEL / BATH ROBE | |||
| WETSUITS | |||
| SNORKEL GEAR | |||
| GOGGLES | |||
| BABY BANZ / KIDZ BANZ | |||
| VESTS TO SLEEP IN | |||
| LIGHTWEIGHT JACKET | ALSO IN TRAVEL BAG | ||
| LIGHTWEIGHT BLANKET/ MUSLIN CLOTH | ALSO IN TRAVEL BAG | ||
| BABY WASH | |||
| TOOTHBRUSH / PASTE | |||
| CAMERA | |||
| CAMCORDER | |||
| SPARE BATTERIES / BATTERY CHARGER | |||
| CHECK ALL MEDICINES FOR SUITABILITY WITH A PHARMACIST | |||
| RE-HYDRATION SACHETS | |||
| ANTISEPTIC | |||
| PLASTERS | ALSO IN TRAVEL BAG | ||
| ONCE A DAY SUNCREAM | |||
| ANTIHISTAMINE | |||
| INFANT PARACETAMOL SACHETS | ALSO IN TRAVEL BAG | ||
| TEETHING POWDERS / GEL | ALSO IN TRAVEL BAG | ||
| IODINE | |||
| MOTION SICKNESS MEDICINE | |||
| INSECT REPELLENT WIPES ETC | ALSO IN TRAVEL BAG | ||
| NOW YOU JUST NEED TO REMEMBER YOUR OWN STUFF!!! | |||
| THIS LIST IS BY NO MEANS EXHAUSTIVE SO THERE IS SPACE BELOW FOR YOU TO ADD ANYTHING ELSE YOU MAY WISH TO TAKE | |||
ITEMS AVAILABLE FROM MERBABIES ARE SHOWN IN PURPLE - REMEMBER YOU GET A 10% DISCOUNT IF YOU BUY FIVE ITEMS IN ANY ONE TRANSACTION.