Here’s our BFB guide to things to not leave home without.

1. Snoozeshade – Say goodbye to pegged muslins and coats draped over hot buggies. The Snoozeshade is a brilliant new invention for babies on the move. Made from a lightweight spf 50 black out blind material, it’s designed to fit over most brands of 3 and 4 wheel buggies with hoods. Great for holidays, not only will you keep your tot cool and safe from the sun and heat, but you can keep the all important naptime while on the move so little one has a good rest and grown-ups can get to relax in peace! Snoozeshade £19.99.

2. Mamascarf - Avoid any unwanted stares when breastfeeding by packing this ingenious device  that allows mummies to discreetly feed  in public without the need for a cushion. The 100% textured cotton Mamascarf comes in a range of colours, price £17.99.

3. Fold and Go Mini Changing Mat from Blooming Marvellous, £13. A wonderfully compact changing mat with two fold out pockets which hold three nappies and a re-usable case for wipes. It even fits into an average size handbag so no need to lug a separate changing bag onto a flight. Also, this fab Granny invention Baby Go – a travel pack of nappy and wipes –  is ideal for space saving hand luggage on planes.

4. Little Life Toddler Backpack – Perfect for parents and toddlers who aren’t keen on reins but value an extra level of safety when travelling in busy unfamiliar places. A single, detachable rein clips on to a small back pack worn by the child, which could easily hold wipes and a nappy plus a toy or snack. Little Life, £14.99.

5. The Hipseat for Under 3s/Trunki for Over 3s – Saves trying to push strollers AND luggage trolleys at airports. The former is recommended by the Deputy Travel Editor of The Times newspaper who frequently travels with her toddler son and the latter by BFB’s own Erin Williams who loves her Trunki (see the range at www.trunki.co.uk) at home or in the airport!
6. Caxton FX Card – BFB finds these a great way to spend abroad without incurring costly credit card charges or poor exchange rates. Order a card from www.caxtonfxcard.com before you go away, load it with euros or dollars and use in exactly the same way as your debit or credit card. ‘Which?’ recently rated the Caxton FX card as better value for money than Tesco’s travel money card. Caxton FX guarantee the best exchange rate and freeze the exchange at the rate you buy – which means you always know how much everything is costing and there are no nasty surprises when opening bills on your return, plus there are no hidden charges like with standard credit cards.

7. Portable Luggage Scales – Precisely weigh you luggage before you leave home and avoid any expensive excess luggage charges with a portable digital luggage scale. From Boots, £15.99

8. Lindam Microwave Steam Steriliser Packs/Cold Water Steriliser Bags from Kiddicare, £4.95 – both take up hardly any room in a suitcase and ensure safe bottle sterilising anywhere.

Top tip! Plan ahead for lost luggage
You don’t want to imagine your baggage won’t arrive at the same place as you, however it does happen. Pack an emergency survival kit in your hand luggage: a spare set of swim gear, underwear, a change of clothes, get the kids to travel in their beach shoes, sunglasses and toothbrushes so you can get on with your holiday whilst your suitcases catch up with you.

What do you never leave home without? Share your holiday packing tips with us below.

There’s no getting away from it, travelling with tots is a challenge but, having travelled so much with Erin (now 4) in tow, I’ve found some strategies that can help make it a pleasurable experience. Here are my top tips:

1. Get an Airmiles Credit Card - My American Express British Airways has been a revelation. I whack everything I possibly can on to it, as well as exchanging my Tesco Clubcard points for BA Miles at 600 per £2.50, and use accumulated miles to upgrade and get free companion flights once a year. As a result, Erin recently snoozed almost all the way through a recent 7.5 hour flight to Dubai on a flat bed first class!

2. Check-in Online – If your airline allows it, DO check in online. It ensures the family get seated together, minimises queuing at the airport and takes the angst out of getting there super early.

3. Book Meet & Greet Airport Parking – Sites such as Holiday Extras and Go Simply often offer this for less than £20 per week more than standard parking. It removes all the stress that can go with the start of a holiday, such as searching for the car park, finding a space, negotiating the often seat-less car park-airport courtesy buses with pushchair, baby, suitcase, handbag etc as well as saving time. Just turn up at departures, hand your keys over and off you go!

4. Pre-Book Lounge Passes – Rather than hanging around the airport shops, investing in lounge passes ensures you have an oasis of calm with a guaranteed place to sit, complimentary drinks, snacks and, in most cases, TVs to help keep everyone happy until departure time. Invaluable when flights are delayed. Virgin have a great new family lounge ‘Vroom’ at Gatwick but it’s hugely popular, so must be booked long in advance, and can only be used if flying Virgin. For other lounges see Holiday Extras.

5. Got a Toddler? Get a Trunki – Erin will not be parted from hers. It’s been a life saver when, thanks to her Mum’s terrible concept of time and inability to ignore airport shopping opportunities, we’ve been racing to departure gates which can be 25 minutes walk for adults, let alone those with little legs. Investing in a Trunki is major insurance against toddler tantrums! From £29.99 – Save 10% by quoting FMBFB at www.funkymoose.com
6. Got a Baby? Get a Hip Seat – If your little one is too big for a hands-free sling and too small for a Trunki, get a Hipseat. This is like a bum bag with a built in seat which takes the strain when carrying little ones for long periods. From £34.99 – again BFB users save 10% at www.funkymoose.com

7. Last to board = Less Bored! – Some airlines allow families with young children to board the plane first, but I advise boarding last. Your little ones will have far less time forced to sit still whilst waiting for take off, and you avoid the horror of a queue of fellow passengers gagging to get to their seats whilst you try to get your kids settled, with essential kit to hand and other hand luggage stowed away.

8. Hand Luggage Checklist – Along with the usual, change of clothes, wipes, nappies, nappy sacks, bottles, formula/drinks (best bought after security for less hassle over liquid limits), sachet or two of infant paracetamol, disposable/folding change mat, favourite cuddly toy or blanket, think about adding a surprise new toy or book to distract your child with when all else fails. Check out our earlier blog on iPhone apps for kids or give in to the evils of the Nintendo DS or portable DVD player. I am guilty on both counts and, after about 10 flights a year with my toddler, still relatively sane largely as a result!

9. Take a Pashmina – They may no longer be the height of fashion but pashminas are invaluable for travelling. They can used as blankets, apronts, sheilds against the effects of travel sickness and impromotu shade against sun on arrival.

10. What’s Your Number 10? - I have run out of tips at 9. Perhaps lovely BFB readers can suggest a number 10? Please add your tips in the comments below.