traveling with a toddler - packing

[mpc]

We're taking our (will be) 15 month old DS with us to greece for 2 weeks this summer. I'm trying to figure out the best way to pack. Normally when we travel like this DH and I each take one rolling bag and a backpack/large purse each.

Now we will have DS +his stuff + stroller too. Should we pack all his stuff in his own bag? I was thinking a duffel so we could throw it on top of the rolling bag and not need an extra hand for it. DH wants to just put DS's stuff in our bags. I'm not a fan of that idea (seems too chaotic to me), but using packing cubes to divide everything, maybe I could get on board... What do you all do when traveling with little kids?

We need the stroller, right? sometimes DH says it'll be too much to lug around so we shouldn't bring it. he's partially right. we'll be in some places with too many  stairs and stuff where we can't use it. but I was thinking for the times we can use it, it'll be worth it. we're also bringing the ergo.

[frlcb]

We give our kids their own bag, it isn't worth trying to cram everything into two bags. I would bring the stroller for the airport if nothing else, my kids are so sleepy when we land in europe and they always want to sit in the stroller (even my 6 year old).

We learned quickly that it is difficult to pack light when traveling with a toddler, or child at all. Some people may be able to but we have never been able to and we travel a lot.

[Brit]

We put DDs stuff in our bags. H takes diapers, wipes, and soppy cups, I take clothing items.

We have learned to pack for the three of us for two weeks including diapers in two carry on bags.

[mpc]

Apr 8, 2014 9:02:28 GMT -5 jamaicam said:

Are you staying in one place or moving around while you are over there? If you are in one place, then I'd wouldn't worry about mixing stuff together as you can just unpack when you get there. But if you are travelling all over, then separate bags will be easier.

Do you wear your son? If he is comfortable being worn and you guys can manage him that way, then I'd probably leave the pushchair behind. But if he likes the pushchair more, then I'd take it.

We'll be staying at 5 different places over the course of the 15 days. (3-4 nights each place, with just 1 night at the last place). So yeah, it needs to be not terrible to pack up and transport I think.

We wear him as in, put him in the ergo and take a walk in the neighborhood. I don't think he's ever been in it for more than an hour. so I'm honestly not sure how he will do if we're carrying him around for a decent portion of the day.

[mpc]

Apr 8, 2014 8:55:28 GMT -5 Brit said:

We put DDs stuff in our bags. H takes diapers, wipes, and soppy cups, I take clothing items.

We have learned to pack for the three of us for two weeks including diapers in two carry on bags.

you guys are amazing how you travel with your daughter. seriously.

our last international trips have all been in the winter, so our bags have been full of sweaters and jackets and big heavy shoes. I'm hoping tank tops and sandals will help us pack lighter than normal this time!

[pittpurple]

How are you getting from place to place? I would really try and bring as little as possible to be honest - it's going to be a hassle to wrangle everything as is, everything you add will just add to the stress! But my advice definitely depends on how you're getting around.

Like Brit, we bring everything in our bags. We do a lot of travel on cheapie European airlines (we live in Scotland) so it's never worth it to us to pay for another bag we're just going to have to carry on the other end. We do most of our travel on public transport though so that affects everything.

We hardly ever carry her so we always have a stroller, when I spent a couple months travelling around the states with her last year I wore her a lot but then I had the stroller to dump the bags and all the other assorted stuff I seemed to pick up along the way. It will give him somewhere to sit if you go out to eat as well - we've always struggled to find highchairs (though haven't been to Greece)

[pittpurple]

Sorry - should have added. 'If' your LO is using a highchair at home and 'if' you plan to carry him around for the day, you could bring something like this. I have this exact one and it's fantastic, we use it a ton.

www.amazon.co.uk/Totseat-Washable-Squashable-Highchair-Circles/dp/B001QC77W0/ref=tag_stp_s2_edpp_url

[Mushe]

Apr 8, 2014 8:55:28 GMT -5 Brit said:

We put DDs stuff in our bags. H takes diapers, wipes, and soppy cups, I take clothing items.

We have learned to pack for the three of us for two weeks including diapers in two carry on bags.

Ditto this!

It was enormously helpful to us in chasing a toddler to only have one rolling bag each.

Also, we only took a small thing of diapers and wipes, and bought more when we got to our destination.

[mpc]

Apr 8, 2014 9:39:40 GMT -5 pittpurple said:

How are you getting from place to place? I would really try and bring as little as possible to be honest - it's going to be a hassle to wrangle everything as is, everything you add will just add to the stress! But my advice definitely depends on how you're getting around.

let's see, we'll have a rental car to get us to our first 2 locations. I don't think that will be too bad. Then we'll either take a cab or the metro to get to our cruise ship. cruise for 4 days, then another cab maybe to get to our next location? we have one short in-country flight, then it's all prearranged transfers at the end. we've tried to make things as "easy" as we can considering we're moving around so much, but yeah, that moving around is still going to be a pain. 

[frlcb]

I think it is great if you can get everything into two bags but for us it isn't worth the hassle of doing so, and we never carry on, it is easier to just check it, so we don't mind bringing the extra bags. I also agree on buying diapers once you get there.

[CloudBee]

We use 2 rolling suitcases and check them. DH carries on a backpack with electronics, and I carry on my purse and DS's diaper bag.

If we're travelling domestically, I order diapers/snacks and have them shipped directly to our destination. There's a program called Babies Travel Light that is international. Check to see if your hotel participates. You can have diapers shipped to your hotel through that program.

We're trying to avoid a 3rd checked bag until DS is old enough to pull it himself.

Sometimes we send laundry out for onsite laundering at our hotel/resort partway through our vacation. It's absolutely worth it in some instances.

[CloudBee]

Apr 8, 2014 12:04:15 GMT -5 mpc said:

Apr 8, 2014 9:39:40 GMT -5 pittpurple said:

How are you getting from place to place? I would really try and bring as little as possible to be honest - it's going to be a hassle to wrangle everything as is, everything you add will just add to the stress! But my advice definitely depends on how you're getting around.

let's see, we'll have a rental car to get us to our first 2 locations. I don't think that will be too bad. Then we'll either take a cab or the metro to get to our cruise ship. cruise for 4 days, then another cab maybe to get to our next location? we have one short in-country flight, then it's all prearranged transfers at the end. we've tried to make things as "easy" as we can considering we're moving around so much, but yeah, that moving around is still going to be a pain. 

You should be able to do the diaper program with any major cruise line.

Considering all of your transfers, I would definitely try to avoid packing a 3rd suitcase.