Skiing with your Baby or Toddler
There
is no reason why you cannot take a young baby or toddler on a skiing
holiday with you.
The biggest drawback is the temperature, but as long as you keep your
baby warm and well insulated, and protected from the often fierce
sunshine, they will enjoy the sight, smell and feel of snow.
Most of the ski travel companies that offer facilities for babies start
at over six months old, so it's usually best to wait until your baby's
this age, unless you have a nanny you can take with you.
The choice of child-care is either a nanny who comes to your chalet, a
crèche run by the travel company or a local nursery used by
a
range of travel companies. The nanny is the most expensive but perhaps
the easiest option.
You cannot take a baby with you on the slopes.
Some Europeans can occasionally be seen skiing with a baby in a
back-pack, but this is not recommended even if you consider yourself an
expert. So good child-care in the key.
Your baby will be happiest if they are with you for at least part of
the day, so if possible look for a ski resort which has a warm swimming
pool you could use, and shops you can look round with your baby.
If you are skiing with a partner, divide the day so you can share the
responsibility of looking after your baby as well as having time to ski
on your own.
The best option is a catered chalet with a nanny service - this may be
more expensive, but it will give you the freedom to ski without worry.
Some hotels also offer nanny services in a crèche
environment and will provide cots in the bedroom free of charge.
Make sure that the crèche has separate areas for babies,
toddlers and older children. Your baby will need a quiet place in which
to sleep.
Baby-friendly skiing companies
The following ski travel companies have an established track record in
providing excellent baby care. As always, please mention This is Travel
when you call...
What to
take
The best
advice is to travel as light as is practical.
Check
what will be available at your destination with your tour operator or
the hotel itself.
It
is tempting to take everything you feel you cannot live without at
home, but remember that you are the person who is going to have to
carry it.
Cumbersome
pushchairs are best left at home. If you
feel you cannot cope with just a babysling, take the lightest pushchair
that folds away into the smallest space.
You do
not need a changing mat - a towel and a plastic bag are just as good.
You don't
need sterilising equipment, just sterilising fluid and a container like
an ice-cream carton.
Disposable
bottle sterilisers can be handy on holiday - Mothercare's are good and
cost £6.99.
At
the time of writing, it is wise to check with the airline or holiday
company you are travelling with as some countries will not allow you to
take British formula milk because of Foot and Mouth restrictions.
If
you prefer fresh rather than tinned or bottled baby food, consider what
kind of food will be available at your destination, such as bananas or
fresh vegetables you can mash.
If you
are planning to hire a
car, check whether the hire company can provide car safety seats or
whether you will have to bring your own. In most countries child safety
seats are mandatory.
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Check
list of the things you will need
Having
said that travelling light is the best advice, there are some things
you can't do without, and certain kinds of holiday demand more kit than
others.
Use this
checklist to make sure you don't leave anything essential behind:
*
Nappies: make sure you have enough with you for the journey, or for the
whole holiday if you cannot buy them at your destination.
If you
are intending to take your baby swimming, invest in some special
nappies designed to keep everything in even when immersed - re-usable
Floaties' Aquanappies are specially recommended
* Plastic
bags for used nappies - you can buy sanitised ones
* Several
blankets. These can be used for comfort, shade and warmth
* Nappy
rash cream
*
Pre-moistened wipes for nappies and general cleaning up of faces
*
Sample-sized containers of powder and cream are useful for the journey.
You can buy larger containers when you get there
*
Clothes - limit yourself to one or two outfits per day for your baby
and make sure you have a change of clothes easily available for
travelling
* A roomy
waterproof bag you can use to carry essentials
*
Washable bibs
* Breast
pump, if you want a few nights off breast-feeding
* A
portable bottle warmer, ideal for travelling, can be useful. Boots do a
good one for £14.99
* A night
light. Your hotel may provide one, so check. A baby used to a night
light is unlikely to sleep in the dark.
* High
factor suncream designed for young babies
* Sling
or light-weight pushchair
*
Travel cot if your accommodation cannot provide one. Mothercare's range
of travel cots starts from £40, www.mothercare.com
*
Collapsible highchair. This can be awkward to carry but without one you
will spend your holiday eating food with one hand. You can buy
highchairs that clamp onto the table.
* A
clip-on reading light so you can read in your room without disturbing
the baby
* Toys.
Do not overload with toys: remember that everyday objects, such as
spoons and plastic bowls, are just as good.
It
is worth taking rattles, a favourite cuddly toy for sleeping with,
picture books and simple speaking toys. A good rule of thumb is one toy
per hour for the plane - make one of them a toy your child hasn't seen
before as a surprise
* Make
sure you have access to drinking water in a bottle while travelling to
prevent dehydration
* A
simple medical kit
* A
change of top for you while travelling in case your child is sick |
