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summer buys
Going on holiday this year? What are the essentials you can't do without? We've been scouring our product reviews section for the items that babyworld members deem essential for family life on the go. Some of them were awarded 'Best Buy' in our parent panel reviews whereas others are simply handy little items that our community love...
Travel cot
Mum's like ...
- Littlelife Twin Arc Travel Cot (£72)
- BabyDan Travel Cot (£69)
A popular cot with babyworld parents, the LittleLife is valued for its 'travel-friendly' size, 'modern looks' and 'ability to double up as a beach shade or playpen'. It also packs up small enough to fit in the plane's overhead compartments - perfect if you're determined to travel light!
If you're travelling by car (and boot space isn't an issue), the BabyDan Travel Cot offers 'a versatile home on the move, with wheels for extra portability' - 'it's also 6 inches longer than your standard travel cot so especially useful for taller children'. Read about other Travel Cots in our Going Away section.
Baby carrier
Mum's like ...
- Bruin 3 way carrier (29.99)
- Kari-me sling (£37.50)
The Bruin 3 way carrier was recently awarded 'Best Buy' in our slings and carriers test, largely due to its 'secure harness', 'comfort for the parent' and 'a lot of additional extras you usually expect to pay more for'. The Bruin is equipped with a dribble bib, extra padding for very young babies and a storage bag for travel so it's perfect for holiday use.
For breastfeeding mums, the Kari-me is a multi-position sling that allows you to hold your baby in several positions. It also comes with its very own travel bag for easy packing. See what our mums had to say about these and other carriers in our Slings & carriers test.
Lightweight buggy
Mum's like ...
- Quinny Zapp (£139.99)
- Maclaren Volo (£60)
- Micralite (£164.95)
Babyworld mums love the Quinny Zapp - it's a trendy looking buggy that packs up into its very own bag and is 'perfect for aircraft storage, car boots and for people with very little space'. Quinny have also recently introduced a shopping bag to accompany the Zapp so the lack of storage is no longer an issue.
Another hit in the lightweight stakes is the Maclaren Volo. At 8.6Ib, the buggy is extremely portable and easy to use. Mums particularly like its 'one hand fold mechanism' and 'carrying strap that allows you to sling it over your shoulder'. The buggy comes without a rain cover/sun shade but you can purchase these separately from a Maclaren stockist.
If your destination involves country walks or inner city navigation, the Micralite Fastfold is a good option. Designed with chunky rear wheels and lockable front wheels, the buggy will explore bumpier ground with ease whilst still managing to weigh in at just 6.8Ib. Read comments on these and other buggies in our Hot Wheels reviews section.
Sun protection
Mum's like...
- Prince Lionheart SPF50 Pop n Play Beach Cabana (£34.99)
- Sun Sense Toddler Milk (SPF50, £5.49)
- Frubi Shades (£6.99)
When your children are in the sun, it's essential to cover as much of their skin as possible. Consider investing in a good sunscreen and other sun protection products such as the Prince Lionheart SPF50 Pop n Play Beach Cabana http://www.babyworld.co.uk/information/reviews/product.asp?id=76 . According to our tester, 'it's easy to use and colourful and fun for baby'. It also comes with its very own travel friendly carry bag and an inner mat that 'keeps the cabana firmly in place'.
For skin protection, the water-resistant Sunsense Toddler Milk comes with a practical roll-on applicator which toddlers love, it's also suitable for sensitive skin and its mini slot-in-your-bag tube will keep the weight off your beach bag.
If your child has a hatred of hats, you could try a pair of sunglasses instead. Most toddlers love to wear glasses and many modern pairs are designed with built in sunscreens to protect their eyes. Frubi shades are a protective and soft alternative to conventional sunglasses that wrap around your child's head with a velcro fastening. Babyworld mum's say they're 'a great way to keep them on active toddlers and look great on' - 'they're definitely worth looking into - especially if you want to be the talk of the toddler group'.
In the water
Mum's like ...
- Zoggs Swim Nappy (£8.75)
- Blooming Marvellous Swim Nappy (£7.99)
- Huggies Little Swimmers (£4.99)
The Zoggs swim nappy is great for longevity as it has a handy drawstring waist that adapts to fit your growing toddler. It also scooped the Best Value award in one of our parent panel tests for its 'high absorbency level, snug fit and child-friendly designs'.
Another winner was the Blooming Marvellous swim nappy - a 'pull-on, pull'off' nappy that's made with thick, durable lining. Our panel 'loved the pretty designs and high quality material - some of the styles also double up as shorts for the beach'.
Those who prefer a disposable nappy will like Huggies Little Swimmers. These lightweight, easy to use, colourful nappies provide the perfect level of absorbency for your child without swelling in the water. You can buy them in packs of ten but if you'd prefer to try them out first, you can buy a sample nappy for around £1 from most major supermarkets.
Days at the beach usually result in a head full of sticky, sandy hair! To put the natural shine back into your child's precious locks, Daniel Galvin Junior have launched a range of travel-friendly products that use only the finest, organic cleansing agents. And with a list of yummy mummy celebrities using them on their offspring, we'd be mad not to give it a try. See what our Community Editor thought when she used them on her baby Josh...
Where to next?
- For information on everything from how to have stress-free travel and summer safety tips, check out the rest of our travel section
- Share travel tips and get advice on our Travel discussion forum
- Have baby, will travel - read how one couple and their baby go to Thailand for their holiday
- We try, you buy … check out our comprehensive product tests
