The twins are due to go on their first plane ride exactly a week from today. Their first holiday was by boat and for 3 days. We're off to Phuket for a week and this'll be a lot of firsts for them.
- First time on the plane, which will either thrill them to no end or terrify them. I hope it is the former because I hope to take them on many more vacations.
- First time on vacation with the paternal grandparents. I hope it works out because they do love travelling and the twins will benefit a great deal from travelling with the grandparents. We know we will. The extra pairs of hands and the potential for a night out with Packrat is enough, hopefully to keep any aggro at bay.
- First time they'll be on full formula and fresh milk. I hope they don't complain. The breastfeeding stopped a while ago, but the milk stores in the freezer are still sustaining them. That said, I'm not taking frozen milk to Phuket.
- How many diapers to pack- I'm aiming for a packet of day ones and a packet of night ones. As my FIL keeps repeating, there are grocery stores in Phuket.
- How many pieces of clothing to bring for them- MIL insists that we can do laundry. But do I really want to spend my vacation washing out the twins' clothes.
- Milk bottles? Tins of formula? Once again... who knows? To figure it out, I need to figure out how many scoops of formula exist within one tin and I don't have enough IQ to do that without scooping everything out and putting it back in.
- Toys? or No Toys?
- Food? What food? I know there are grocery stores there but do I bring some staples just in case tom yum flavoured everything isn't to their liking?
Anyone who's created a list and is happy to share, please send it my way! Thank you!
Technorati Tags: twins, travelling, packing
hi
ReplyDeletethis is what I usually pack for my 28mth old.
diapers - at home she uses about 6 per day so depending on number of days away, pack an extra day supply. Best to buy pull ups to use in the day when out and about cos it's much easier to wear it on them standing up than having them lie down. sometimes you can't even find a changing room to change diapers so easiest is to use pull ups.
clothes - always bring an extra set in backpack to bring out in case the twins dirty themselves, wet themselves, etc. I'm very KS, always pack at least 2 sets more than needed in case of "accidents" during feeding, playing, etc.
FM - sorry, can't help on this cos really difficult to gauge as it depends on how much they drink. Oh, you should be able to put this in hand luggage. If not better tape the tin up with masking tape to prevent leakage/spillage onto your other luggage contents!
toys/books - should bring some small toys and books which they like so as to keep them entertained at times when you need peace! I pack a small notebook, pens and marker pens, stickers and give to my girl during meal times so that she can occupy herself doodling, sticking stickers while we eat.
Your parents in law are right that you can get most of the stuff like diapers, FM, clothes in the stores. So dun worry too much and enjoy the holidays!
Thanks so much! I tend to over pack, even for myself when I vacation, so I think I may go into overdrive with the twins!
ReplyDeleteI guess it adds to the excitement of the trip too. :) Right now, my room is in a mess and Packrat looks on ruefully and comments that I don't even pack so early when I go on 3 week long work trips!
Packing for kids always stresses me out!!
ReplyDeleteYes pull-ups are great for trips. No need much toys and books...just a handful of familiar favs should be enough.
Nothing much else to add except maybe u could consider getting UHT milk in those half dozen packs? No need refrigeration... just drink and throw! My girls drink the Marigold Full Cream ones for their afternoon milk feed.
hi ondine,
ReplyDeleteJust to add my two cents worth.. Diapers, hmmm contrary to popular belief that pull up pants is more convenient, i felt tape diapers are better. First, in order to put on the pull up pants, you got to remove the kid's panty/pants and shoes, with the tape diaper, you need not do that, just remove, and ask kid to slight squat and you can put on the fresh diaper. Secondly, tape diaper has much better absorbency than any pull up pants i have used, so you dun need to change so frequently.:)
Formula milk, well, i will buy those milk containers (i swear by munchkin ones) and measure out exactly how much fm for each feed. Very convenient cuz it so easy to pour it out into the milk bottle to make milk. Anyone can make the milk and you are sure you wont give the wrong amount out of tiredness or distraction. And you can easily pack them into your day bag when out and about. Of course with two kids, you would need to buy more containers but hey, that is investment for all future trips! P/s i love the munchkin individual containers especially! Hope you have a good trip!
one week sure is a long time. I'm not sure abt buying diapers outside, sometimes they may not have the brand u prefer, and the kids might end up having diaper rash if wear cheap stuffs? usu I'll just bring one whole new packet, and just carry in plastic bag.
ReplyDeletemilk: how much do they drink? day & night? if possible get those packet packet samples, or I think they do sell those pre-packed packet ones (thought i saw at cold storage?) otherwise, depending on how much you're taking, just bring one small can.
if ur kids are drinking from milk bottles, then 2 bottles each. 1 for milk 1 for water.
clothes: for one week stay, doing some laundry might be wiser. 3 sets of day clothes x 2 or 3 days plus 3 sets of pyjamas. then wash if necessary. dun forget to bring some detergent powder!
bring along one favourite toy and some favourite snacks.
btw, good time to toilet train them in the day. run around without diapers at the beach!
hi shereen,my 3rd dennis is out!! im on maternity now or if tats what they called it for WAHM too ;)
ReplyDeleteanyway, cool to hear about ur hols trip! bet the twins will hv lots of fun esp phuket is quite laid off & definitely not like spore...
back to the tips, frm my experience, breastfeeding is very convenient during trips, save the hassle of bringing tins of FM esp if u r not driving ur own vehicle... but i know its pretty hard to do as we r talking about twins... and dont forget wet wipes!! its not spore where u can get it easily, wet wipes is really handy esp during emergencies of any kind. Trust Me! above all, watever u bring or not or what, just relax, enjoy urself its going to be FUN heee...
hey, I just came back from hua hin, our very first trip without the boy and since hua hin is about the same size as phuket i think that if you aren't too worried, you can just bring enough milk and diapers for their 1st 2 days and buy whatever you need there. We went to a tesco there and they had plenty of FM like what is sold here. Thailand is very very child friendly so you don't really have to worry too much unless they have some special dietary issues. Have fun!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.phuket.net/things-to-do/shopping/shopping-department-stores.htm
Hi! Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteCoincidentally, we will also be in Phuket this coming weekend, so we might just bump into one another there! As for what to pack, I think everyone else has covered mostly everything. I just want to add - don't forget to bring sponge and detergent for washing the bottles. :-) Have fun!