Making little ones happy and well mannered on the way to a holiday destination has been identified as the most hectic part of a break with little ones below 5 years of age. With 36.5 per cent of about 350 parents polled by Tots to Travel said it was the biggest reason for holiday pressure. The survey has been conducted to know what the holidaymakers think about the responsibilities and the essentials that they need to do while planning holidays with family members and friends.

Some 28.2 per cent of those polled ranked 'packing all the stuff needed' as the second most hectic activity: packing a handbag for the trip is something for which an extensive planning is required.

Tots to Travel also asked these parents for the most important items to carry in a handbag on a journey with children under the age of five.

The results are: Wet wipes, Drinks, Snacks, a spare nappy, a dummy or comforter of some description, Toys, a change of clothes, Books, Portable DVD player, and Calpol.

Among other suggested things are sweets/lollipops for sucking on during flights, travel sick pills, sick bags, a first aid kit, crayons and colouring books and a camera. Painkillers for the parent, earplugs are perhaps the most telling of all these suggestions.

And, one of those asked for the most essential things when going on a holiday with under fives, put it as 'my wife'.