Holiday packing post-baby

After years of wanderlust I have packing down to a fine art.

I can pack a bag of this size for a minimum week trip and not look like a scummy 6-month traveling backpacker. Everything item has a purpose, everything outfit can be dressed up or down, there are no one offs or non-essential items like straighteners, high heels or massive make up kits.

For a weekend trip Hubby and I would share this bag.

That brings me to our little road trip to Pemberton. All my packing rules and conventions have to be rethought. Mini Me is a demanding diva who would give Beyonce's rider sheet a run for it's money.

Rules I've had to break include:

Forget the 'just in case' clothing

In pre-bub world you'd pack that little black dress in case tall, dark & handsome asks you out for dinner. Never going to happen so don't pack it.

In Mini Me's world, 'just in cases' happen all the time. The other day she had three costume changes due to explosive nappies. Multiple outfits are required.

One outfit a day

You're not Lady Gaga where outfits last five minutes before turning rancid (meat really!) or the 1900s where there's a specific morning, supper and evening outfit. Generally one outfit a day is fine and you can rehear or wash.

See above point on Mini Me's demanding wardrobe.

If you forget, you can buy it (or live without it)

Most things can be found anywhere in the world, or close to it. I've found my shampoo on an island in Greece and exact contact solution in Cambodia. Praise globalisation! Or you make do with what's around you

This rule is broken, not so much because she had special products you can only find in one store. It's more because who can be bothered. With a screaming child, quick is best. So have everything on hand.

Bare essentials for cosmetic bags

I have friends who's cosmetic bags are a suitcase in themselves. Cosmetics are heavy. 

Now I'm lazy and do the bare minimum with my regime and you're lucky to see me even wear lipgloss (trust me it's not because I have special skin, I'm really that lazy). The upshot is I don't need much and never travel with a hair dryer. It's all natural.

Not so for Mini Me. Nappies, wipes, soaps. All essential. All bulky.

Then there's Bruce the Pram and her cosy crib. And she's only two months! She doesn't need to be entertained with countless toys. I'm sure we'll need a Sherpa when she's nine months old and toys come into the mix.

But this little family road trip is an exciting trial before we even think about bringing planes, passports and international illnesses into the mix!