I often find myself looking for the packing list from the last holiday we went on. Eventually, I realise I can’t find it and start from scratch. So, where to put it where I won’t lose it? RevPoppy!

So here is my packing list for a week away as a family of four.

Me: Underwear, breastpads, lanolin feeding cream, jeans, jumpers x4, tops ×7, PJs, toothbrush, toothpaste, toothbrush charger, deodorant, perfume, makeup, face scrubbies, cleanser, kindle, knitting, phone charger, fitbit charger, slippers, trainers, dumbells, medication, paracetamol, hairbrush, bobbles, feeding pillow, V pillow*, scarf, fluffy hoodie, coat.

Nathan: underwear, jeans, jumpers x4, tops x7, PJs, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, aftershave, shaving stuff, comb books, knitting, wallet, phone charger, slippers, trainers, medication, sniffy migraine medication, headphones, hat, fluffy hoodie, coat.

Sophia: pull-up nappies x10**, underwear, trousers/tights x7, tops/dresses x7, jumpers x5, toothbrush, toothpaste, night light, phone with music, phone charger, Amber monkey, slippers, sippy cup for bedtime, Trunki***, bobbles, hairbrush, flannel, hat, coat.

Aidan: new packet of nappies, 2 packets of wipes, nappy bags, sudocreme, socks x7, vests x7, babygrows x7, cardigans/jumpers x5, star suit, hats x3, blankets x3, sleep suits x2, gloegg thermometer, baby shampoo, baby bubble bath, flannel, playmat, bouncer****, rattle bag, pram bassinet*****, spare bassinet sheet, bottle, steriliser sack, emergency formula, baby monitor and camera.

Changing bag: full packet of wipes, 4 nappies for Aidan, full change for Aidan, bottom change for Soph, my purse, my colour swatches******, hand sanitiser, paracetamol, nappy bags.

Everything else: calpol, cold and flu tablets, lemsip, first aid kit, laundry pods*******, DVDs, pram for Aidan, buggy board for Soph, stock cubes, basic herbs & spices, water bottles x3, travel mugs x3, bedding if required.

No wonder it takes the best part of a week to organise! I’m so pleased we got that bigger car just before Aidan was born…

* V pillow – because who knows how comfy the headboard will be at a 3am feed.

** 10 pull-up nappies including 3 spares.

*** A Trunki is a kids suitcase and we pack Sophia’s with her toys and bedtime books.

**** It might seem extreme to plan to take a bouncer baby chair on holiday, but when they can’t sit up on their own yet, it makes a world of difference.

***** Several times, we have used the pram top for little Soph/Aidan to sleep in when we’re away. When they’re tiny, they still have the startle reflex so they can struggle to settle in something as big as a travel cot. Also, I’ve found it’s hard to place a baby down in a travel cot without waking them or straining your back!

****** Colour swatches from when I had my colours done last year, because I no longer buy any clothes that aren’t on the chart!

******* It isn’t my favourite vacation task, but since having children, I always do at least 2 loads of washing when we’re away. It means we’re covered in case of a big messy accident and it makes me feel slightly more on top of things when I get back. For us, a basic requirement of any holiday cottage is a washing machine!