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Travelling with children needs a lot of preparation, we’ve broken it down in steps to make it easier for you!
Consult With Your Babies Paediatrician
Before confirming travel plans for your baby, check with the paediatrician if it’s fine to travel with a young child. My baby was 2 months old when we travelled with her to Dubai, the paediatrician said it wouldn’t be a problem at all and it was with that reassurance that I confirmed her ticket.
Do Proper Research
Ensure that you are well prepared with research beforehand. Check if the hotel has a fridge to store expressed milk, find out vaccination requirements for your travel destination, as well as activities in the area, especially if you also have an older child with you.
Carry Required Documents & Medication
Carry medication baby may need whilst there, for pain, colds, sinus – rather be safe than sorry. Also ensure to carry required documents like unabridged birth certificate, or an affidavit if travelling without dad – check with a travel agent before so you don’t have a problem at the airport. Remember to carry a first aid kit as well.
Book The Correct Seats & Carry The Right Gear
Ask your travel agent to book the row with bassinet seats so you don’t have to carry baby throughout the flight, you can also book a seat for your baby and put an approved car seat. Also do carry a travel pram as well as a baby carrier – my baby slept most of the way on an 8 hour flight, then continued her sleep in her baby carrier till we reached the hotel. It was a relief because I didn’t have to worry about feeding till we were checked in. My toddler sat in her Yoyo from the plane till the car. You can also get a Yoyo connect or adaptor / ride on board for 2 kids. Another great stroller in the same league as Yoyo, is the Joolz Aer, it has a bigger seat capacity, easy one hand fold, is taller and wider than the Yoyo, lifetime warranty. Remember to carry baby bottles, diapers, wipes, bibs in a separate diaper clutch.
Protect Your Childs Ears
Feed baby during take off and landing, or offer a pacifier, and use baby ear muffs, I blocked my baby’s ears during take off and landing because I didn’t have baby ear muffs.
Check In Early
Do check in early so you aren’t rushing to put your stuff through security checks because you are late for your flight, it’s better to sit in the departure lounge than run like crazy at the last minute.
If Breastfeeding…
On Emirates, I found the seats extremely squashed, it was super difficult to feed so I made sure to express on the way back using wearable pumps, I kept extra bottles so I wouldn’t have to worry to wash it on the plane as well as a wash bag so when I was done I just put the bottle and pump parts in the bag. The wearable pumps were also very easy to use on holiday, I could pump discreetly in public and used the fridge hack – empty the milk into storage bags, pop the pump parts into the fridge till your next pumping session to cut down on washing time. I also carried my wash bag everywhere and stored milk out of the bottles so I just had to pour it in when baby needed to feed in public – don’t forget a cooler bag and feeding cover! Also, if you travel with your spectra, Lansinoh bags fit directly onto the pump, and Pigeon Peristaltic teats fit onto the Spectra bottles – they are good to avoid nipple confusion.
Stick To Routine
As far as possible, stick to baby’s routine so they don’t act up. It may be a bit difficult on holiday but small babies sleep a lot and fall off to sleep easily the smaller they are so it wasn’t so bad with my 2.5 month old. Even if the times are off, make sure baby is getting required sleep. I used to make her sleep in her pram when we were out so I didn’t have to sit in the room with her during her sleep. I also carried a travel pod so baby had somewhere to sleep in.
What To Pack
- Pack for the weather, always pack extra layers in case of rain or snow
- Costume, sunblock, flip flops, sunhat
- If travelling with a bigger child, carry a few toys that don’t have many pieces, as well as healthy snacks in snack containers
Lastly…
- Don’t overpack, you can always get nappies from your destination
- Make sure to keep washing hands and sanitizing
- Stay hydrated and keep kids hydrated – with breastmilk or water depending on age
- Keep hand luggage to a minimum so it’s not chaotic – a stroller is essential
- Let toddler keep a backpack with snacks and activities
- Don’t stress, a lot of people offer help when they see you travelling with a baby, and if you travel with family it is much easier
- Take it one day at a time so it’s not overwhelming, and remember you are on holiday, enjoy and don’t worry too much to keep their routines to the tee, you can always get back to it after the holiday
