In the dim distant past as my first child grew in my belly I booked a trip to Italy.  An extended family extravaganza that was years in the planning, there was no way a little thing like new life was going to get in my way of my Tuscan escape.  As we checked in for our international flight with our three month old baby the flight attendant looked at me, befuddled. I realise now she was wondering what sort of crazy lady choses to take their brand new bub to Europe but all she said to me was “You look amazingly relaxed.”   That relaxation was due to complete ignorance about exactly what I was getting myself into.   Two other children and numerous journeys later their has been exponential growth in what i know about traveling with babies.

You don’t have to apologise to anyone for flying with your baby.

Thinking of  handing out little bags of lollies, earphones and a cute note along the lines of “sorry my baby might cry on the plane – here’s a gift to make you feel better about it” to your seat mates?  Don’t.  Your baby has every right to be on a plane with you, they even have every right to cry on that plane.   Do what you can to settle your baby if they are unsettled in-flight, because you want to settle your baby.  Not, I repeat, not because you are embarrassed or sorry for the other passengers.  When your baby has grown to a toddler you should teach them good travel etiquette, such as not to kick the seat in front of them.  When they are a pre-schooler for heavens sake show pity on other fliers by muting their Peppa Pig episodes on replay by having them wear kid sized headphones.   You can’t teach baby to behave and no matter how grumpy a seat-mate may be, the truth is if your baby is crying you are the one doing it tough.  Keep your sympathy for yourself.  Flying with a baby is not the same as taking a baby to a fine dining establishment, and then proceeding to change their diaper on the seat in view of other diners.  Flying is about using public transport.   You and your baby are getting from A to B and as the most mini of the human race’s representatives, they  are as entitled to do that as anyone.

It is not going to be a holiday.

Traveling with a baby is not a holiday.  The reason – babies are damn hard work and much of that work goes with you when you travel.  Some of it, such as the sleep deprivation may get worse.  That doesn’t mean traveling with a baby isn’t worth it.  I decided early that if it was a choice between being sleep deprived in winter and in the suburbs, or being sleep deprived on a beautiful beach somewhere I’d pick the latter.  Similarly I could complain about said lack of sleep to beloved friends and family over Skype, or I could take my baby on a plane to visit beloved people and complain about it in person where I’d get a hug and a whole lot of TLC thrown in for good measure.

Stop, reflect, enjoy

Going to town on the local cuisine and know that it won’t affect your waist line because you are breast feeding – enjoy!  Holding your little’s hand as they take their first steps on a tropical beach – breathe the moment in.  Strangers complimenting you on what a wonderful young traveller you have – rejoice!

Baby carriers are your friend

I love a good stroller, really I do.  The problem is that a stroller (unless it is a travel stroller) doesn’t really cut it in airports.  By all means take your stroller on your trip (or hire/borrow one at your destination)  but invest in a good baby carrier that allows you to be hands free at the airport and when navigating public transport.

Calculate as many nappies as you need during your travel/transit time and then times by four.

I learnt this the hard way.  One of my beautiful children developed watery diarrhoea on an international flight and I ended up having to wrap them in a blanket on the seat to mop up the excess mess.  We then spent our first hours in Hong Kong talking to Chinese sex workers as we roamed the streets at 4am looking for somewhere open at that hour selling nappies.  An experience that will never be forgotten and hopefully never repeated.

You don’t need the kitchen sink, but you almost do.  

Babies just need so much stuff!  I’m not talking about toys and mobiles, rather the essentials.  One of these – such as a safe sleeping space I am not ever willing to compromise on.  Unfortunately I know from experience that friends and family may not provide that safe sleeping space when we stay with them.  I have also had bad experiences with car rental companies providing us with unsafe infant car seats when we have hired cars.  Baby safety gear like portacots adhering to Australian safety standards, and correctly installed car seats are a must for me when traveling with a baby.

Baby proof your accommodation

Think of all that effort you go to baby-proof your home.  I can assure you hotels, resorts, family and friends don’t go to the same trouble  I’ve made it a habit whenever we arrive at our destination accommodation to do a safety check.  Some things to look for are blind-cords that are low or near baby’s sleeping space, medications or other poisons within baby’s reach (particularly important when staying with friends and relatives) and knives/sharps kept in bottom drawers in self contained accommodation.

Enjoy the trip and feel proud. 

Traveling with a baby isn’t easy and navigating a trip with the ups and downs is something to be celebrated.  Our first baby was born in winter in Melbourne and we headed north to Darwin when he was seven weeks old to attend a friend’s wedding.  I remember feeling so thrilled that I had the opportunity to get to know his beautiful baby body as he languished in his nappy in the tropical heat – Melbourne was so cold we rarely had seen him out of his grow-suit as he needed to be bundled up all the time.    Special cuddles with loved ones that live far away, first swims in stunning locations, remembering that the world is still out there – even if your own seems to have shrunk down – these are all things to embrace when travelling with a baby.

Disclaimer:

This post is sponsored by Tree Hut Village a new online portal where you can borrow baby gear from other mums – and hire out your own baby gear to parents visiting your area to make some extra money yourself.  

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