Are you a new parent and wish to travel the world? But are anxious on how to travel with your baby? Worry not! Read on!
“You won’t be able to travel for at least 2 years once the baby comes” used to be the most dreadful thing anyone could tell me when I was expecting. In response, I used to nod and say “yeah, I know.. I guess my entire time will be consumed in taking care of the baby & I won’t realize I am missing the travels.” Gosh..I couldn’t be more wrong! My daughter was born in Feb’19 and by March’19 I already had a couple of itineraries ready for ‘baby friendly’ destinations; you know, just in case! There’s no limit to armchair traveling one can do during the maternity leave but it’s up to you whether that armchair stays in your house or is inside the airplane. Before I could even harrow my husband to plan a long overseas trip with the little one, he got invited for a global conference in Windsor, England by his organization and he offered if I and the baby could join. Now that’s an offer I couldn’t refuse, even if it meant different time-zones, long flights with a 5-month old who’s completely reliant on me for survival. Little did I know that this was actually the best time to travel with a baby when she can't walk, is 100% on mother’s milk and sleeps at least 3-4 hours during the day (but also wakes up that many times a night!). But there are a few travel hacks which I discovered, that any new parent MUST follow (esp. with a baby under 1-year) in order to actually have fun on the trip!
1. Book a Bassinet Seat in the Flight: The moment you book your flights, call up the airline and secure a bassinet seat (front-most row). There are very few seats are available and the earlier you book your flights, better are the chances. We couldn’t get a bassinet on our Air India flight from Mumbai to London and that was undoubtedly the most tiring flight journey ever, with my baby shuttling between both of us. 2. Book a Non-Stop Flight: For babies under 1 year, nonstop flights are less tiring simply because you don’t have to lug around the stroller/ diaper bag through the security again during your layover. However, for slightly older kids who like running around, a layover is a relief to provide them the room and freedom to play & get exhausted before the next leg of the flight. 3. Get a Travel Stroller: I’m not talking about the bulky travel systems (note- there’s a difference between a pram and a stroller) you must’ve invested in; but a light weight frame stroller that collapses in a rod and comes handy while transiting through the airport, strolling in a city or simply enjoying a meal in a restaurant (as not all restaurants provide a baby seat; even if they do, babies only a few months old cannot sit upright). I did 3 days in London solo with my baby while my husband was away at the conference in Windsor and I’m eternally thankful to the moment I decided to rent the Chicco Liteway Stroller (don’t bother buying the same; you can rent it from Bragpacker.com) for this trip. I must’ve done 15-20 km everyday pushing that around. The only downside is that you won’t be able to able to take trains easily since it depends on the availability of elevators in the train station. In that case, the all-rounder solution is a baby carrier.
4. Buy a Baby Carrier: I cannot stress the importance of this enough. We have an Ergobaby 360 carrier and we still use it today when my baby is almost 2. It is extremely convenient at all points mentioned above- airports (esp. during security when you’re required to fold the stroller), city walks, maybe not much in restaurants, since your hands are free to carry boarding passes, luggage, etc. plus they are the only savior if you’re going to a beach destination, walking over cobbled streets, up the stairs or hiking.
5. Bring Less Diapers: While you’re packing your baby’s bag don’t be overwhelmed by the space these diapers take. You can always buy them at your destination. Just figure out the brand’s availability in that particular country. How? Go to the popular supermarkets’ websites like Coop, Interspar etc. (in Europe) and see if they have your preferred brand. Keep at least 10 diapers in your carry-on (along with garbage bags and baby wipes!) when you leave your home for the flight. You may need that many before you go and settle in the accommodation at your destination. At least 2-3 days’ worth of diapers in your check-in bag to ensure you’re not in ‘urgency’ to hunt for the diapers as soon as you land. 6. Rent a Car: This is the most useful tip I could ever give you. Don’t plan a trip only around cities where you’re supposed to travel a lot in public transport; instead consider renting a car and spending more time in the countryside where you have the luxury to stop the car whenever there is a crying/ diaper changing/ feeding situation. My 15-day road trip around England & Wales with my then 5-month old daughter was such a breeze with the car where she fed, slept and enjoyed the views comfortably from a car seat (which we rented along with the car). A car will also give you the flexibility to carry that extra baby stuff which is unthinkable to manage when commuting in public transport.
7. Rent Apartments: This has multiple benefits- better experience & larger space at cheaper cost, access to washer/ dryer to do laundry (this helps reducing the number of outfits you have to bring with you), flexibility to cook food for the baby/ self or in case the baby is only on breast feed/ formula, then cleaning & sterilizing the bottles becomes so much easier. If you’re traveling across timezones then it becomes tough for a baby to adjust quickly; she may sleep early evenings if you’re traveling from East to West and you will be forced to call it a day and return early to your apartment, only to realize that you won’t be able to step out for dinner! Almost all the dinners on our UK trip were pasta/ rice/ pizza which we cooked in our apartment while our baby snoozed away comfortably in another room. Side note: Buy Bottle sterilizer bags from Medela that you can just microwave with little water. They are so much better than boiling them in pans.
8. Use Priority services at airport: Don’t be shy to ask for fastrack check-in at security and immigration. 9 out of 10 times you’ll be bumped up ahead in queues or ushered into separate section esp. if you have a child in arms. That will leave you with more time to relax in a lounge with the baby or to buy any last minute forgotten supplies for the flight. 9. Don’t be afraid to feed anywhere: A baby under 6 months will ideally be entirely dependent on the mom for feed and hence, there’s no hassle of carrying or cooking separate baby food. While it did get tiring for me to feed my baby every 2 hours on my trip but it was convenient as we had a car which we could stop at a safe place intermittently. The challenging time was those 3 ‘solo with baby’ days when my husband used to be away in Windsor for the entire day and I was up and about within London alone with my baby. I even made a list of places which had a baby feeding room which were only two- Boots and Harrods. But a baby can get hungry anytime; she won’t care if you are not in one of these stores. Hence, I had to surrender all my hesitation and fed in V&A Museum, H&M changing room, Ted Baker changing room, Hyde Park and buses. That also attracted a few stares (yes, even in a global city like London!) but if you’re doing it modestly with a large enough cover, please don’t bat an eyelid and continue feeding. It’s high time we normalize this beautiful and natural act. Even if you don’t feed, carry warm water in an insulated bottle and formula in the baby’s bag at all times when you’re out.
10. Carry extra change of clothes: Throwback to the day when there was a major poop explosion on my clothes which not even a diaper could save. And what’s worse? I didn’t have a change of clothes with me! So moms & dads, please carry at least a pair of extra outfit for yourselves and the baby because you WILL need it for sure. It doesn’t have to be poop situation always, babies do puke on road trips especially with their tummies full. Make sure you also have tonnes of garbage bags and wipes handy with you while in the car. 11. Carry her Favorite toy & song: You don’t have to pack truckloads of toys for her. For a baby, everything is a toy; everything around her will spark her curiosity. However, carry that one special teddy/ book/ rattle/ pillow etc. that she just loves and will make her feel closer to home and give her a sense of familiarity. Another thing you must download on your phone is her favorite lullaby which will instantly make her drowsy or calm.
12. Keep it light: If you’re a nerdy planner and always want your trip days to be perfect, my advice is to forgive yourself and keep your expectations really low. There WILL be days where you won’t be able to see X,Y,Z places which you thought you would and that’s okay. The idea is to take it slow where you’re not ticking off places but making life long memories of your baby is curiously observing everything or laughs at the most mundane things! Don’t forget- ‘Less is more’ especially when it’s a trip with your baby. Apart from your itinerary, your bags should also be packed with only the ‘must-haves’ and not with ‘what-ifs’. Unless you’re travelling to North Pole, you will get everything that one needs to spend a normal day, in a supermarket. So all ready to make your baby your favorite travel companion?
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