Baby and toddler friendly homes

Families with young children are a big market in the holiday home world so advertising your property as suitable for under-5s is worth thinking about. The phrase 'toddler friendly' is a popular search term on Google, so be sure to work it into your advert a couple of times if your home is kitted out for smaller guests.

Small things like bibs and sterilisers, even a spare pushchair, can make the world of difference. Don't just stop at larger items like cots and highchairs, but go that extra step and lighten mum and dad's load a little. An inventory is a good way of keeping an eye on the smaller items if you're worried about them going missing.

If you have fragile items, then make sure they're above child height, saving your tears as well as those of the children. If you're stuck for ideas on how to make your house the perfect family holiday home, then read on...

Child-proof safety plugs Having some child-proof safety plugs will mean that younger guests can't stick their fingers into plug sockets and endanger themselves, giving parents that extra peace of mind.
Folding baby bath Washing a baby in a sink isn't an ideal solution and using the bath can be dangerous, so it's a good idea to have a baby bath to hand. A tub with an inflatable bottom makes the experience a lot comfier for baby and because it folds away it can easily be stored when it's not needed.
Bibs They may be little, but even the most efficient packer can forget something as simple as bibs! Bibs soon get messy, so having more than one for young guests is a good idea and will mean less washing for parents. Waterproof ones are even better, as they can just be wiped clean.
Baby monitor Even when their child is safely tucked up in bed, it's still important for parents to monitor them. A portable receiver means that parents can move about downstairs and "take" their child with them so they won't miss a sound.
Folding highchair Eating with your family should be fun, but if you're trying to balance a child on your knee and feed them at the same time, it could prove somewhat less pleasurable. Having a highchair for guests' use will make mealtimes a lot easier.The tray will also mean there is less chance of food spilling on the floor, meaning less cleaning time for you! As the chair folds, it can easily put away when not needed.
Pushchair When all the luggage is packed in the car, there might not be room for your guests to stow their pushchair too. Having just a simple pushchair waiting for them at their holiday home will make travelling a lot easier, especially if they're coming by plane or train.
Child's safety gate Installing a safety gate at the bottom and top of the stairs or into the kitchen will help to make your holiday home more child-friendly, especially for a curious toddler in unusual surroundings. An extendable gate means that it will be easy to fit, no matter how wide or narrow the gap.
Universal insect net A universal insect net can be clipped onto cots, pushchairs and prams, shielding young visitors from bites and buzzes both at home and out in the open.
Door slam stoppers Little fingers and slamming doors aren't a good combination and will inevitably lead to tears. Investing in some door slam stoppers, which fit onto most doors, is a cheap and sensible preventative measure and will stop fingers getting trapped and will also mean fewer noisy slamming doors!