Before You Go

On the Move

Once You're There

When choosing a holiday destination, it's advisable to discuss extra exotic places with your GP to assess the likelihood of potential health risks. As long as you are properly informed and prepared, there's no need to worry.

If your baby is already included on your own or your partner's passport, he or she can continue international baby travel on that passport until it expires. If not, you'll need to get your baby his or her own passport. (Applications are available at your local Post Office.) A great way to easily distinguish baby's passport from yours during the chaos of travel is with these adorable leather passport holders.

Involving your children in the holiday planning can be both educational and fun. Sit down before you leave, look at photos of where you're going, discuss whom you will see and what you might do. Perhaps show your child a map or globe and point out the holiday destination. To help your little one get excited about travelling with the family, perhaps buy him his own child-sized wheelie case.

On the Move
Whatever their age, children are accustomed to routine and when holidays disrupt this, tantrums can ensue. Follow these few suggestions, go with flow and you're sure to enjoy a stress-free journey.

A great way to keep your little one amused whilst on holiday is to bring along a goody bag full of your toddler's favourite toys, snacks and drinks - as well as some surprises. Start compiling the special holiday goody bag a few weeks before you leave and try to pack toys that will hold your toddler's attention for as long as possible. Make the journey even more fun with a travelling lap tray.

Flying is actually easier with young babies because they don't wriggle around as much! Still, if your child starts to wail on a long-haul flight, it can quickly fray your nerves. If you find yourself in the air with a crying baby, try picking her up and pacing the aisles. This helps to distract the baby while the hum of the engine softens the sound of crying as you move about the plane.

Suckling helps to alleviate pressure pain in your baby's little ears, so try bottle or breastfeeding during take off and landing (ensuring that your baby is still properly strapped into the special seatbelt). To ease discomfort in the ears of older children, get them to yawn or offer them something to suck on such as a sweet (depending on the child's age).

Once You're There
Once you've reached your destination, it's time to unwind and have some fun! It's best if you stay flexible and keep your itinerary simple. This way it's easier to make last-minute changes if your little one gets tired or bored. Choose child-friendly places and avoid crowded tourist spots.

For older children, buy them a disposable camera or a junior camera so your holiday can be photographed from their prospective. When you get back home, use the photos to create a memory book together.

When out and about, plan frequent rest stops and bring along plenty of water and snacks to avoid crankiness, or worse, dehydration. Make sure you all drink plenty of water everyday - but first find out if the local drinking water is safe, and, if in doubt, drink bottled water. When eating at restaurants abroad and your vocabulary is not up to interpreting the foreign menu, it's best to be on the safe side and stick with what you know.

Don't forget you and your baby require a regular energy supply, so you should never attempt sightseeing on an empty stomach. If your child can't live without his favourite snack - take it with you! It will save you the hassle of scouring the foreign shops. It's also a great idea to bring along disposable bibs and anti-bacterial wipes so messy little eaters can be cleaned-up in no time.

Bear in mind that new surroundings can make young children curious so making sure that your holiday villa or hotel is properly childproofed is extra important. Think of your hotel room as a smaller version of your home and take the same precautions. If requested, some hotels will childproof your room before you arrive, including placing netting around the balcony railing.

If you don't want to lug loads of childproofing supplies with you, pack a roll of masking tape - it can cover an electrical outlet, attach a cloth to a sharp corner, fasten electrical cords to the floor, and seal up cabinets and drawers so little fingers can't open them. And make sure to thoroughly inspect the floor of your hotel room including under the bed and in the loo, to look out for tiny or sharp objects that the cleaners might have missed.

• Ensure your little ones are safe by using this Child Safety Checklist

While keeping your baby safe in an unfamiliar resort or hotel can seem a bit tricky, a few pieces of well-chosen travel gear can make all the difference to your peace of mind. For instance, a floating Swimming Pool Alarm that emits a loud siren if anything falls into the water is ideal for a panic-free holiday. Or hit the pool together with your baby safely tucked into your Water Carrier. You might also want to pack a Portable Bed Rail to ensure that your toddler doesn't roll out of an unfamiliar bed or a fold-up Travel Gate so your baby doesn't wander off.

As you can see, with a little bit of planning and preparation, you and your baby can have a fantastic, fun and safe holiday abroad! And don't forget to relax! You deserve it!