Baby on Board!

I haven’t written a travel blog for a few years now. One main reason being the pandemic lock down era in 2020/21, and then being pregnant and welcoming my daughter into the world! So I thought it was about time I added a new dimension to my travel blog to include some travelling with a baby tips.

Needless to say, as a first time single mother my travel escapades have been on the less adventurous side. I haven’t been hiking in the Andes or spotting Anacondas in the Amazon recently and I have stuck mainly to package holidays or visiting friends in Europe but, as you can imagine, a baby plus travel is a new adventure in itself!

Some may say why bother travelling with a little one as they won’t remember it? I disagree with this entirely and my view is that travel presents so many valuable learning opportunities and experiences. I believe travel encourages a sense of exploration, curiosity, empathy and understanding of other cultures, as well as developing skills of problem-solving, languages and survival! It’s certainly taught me a thing or two over the years.

My main barrier to travelling with my daughter is financial due to being a single Mum who is currently working minimal hours, so I am coming from a budget travel perspective! Travel costs have shot up fourfold since the time BC. (Before Covid that is!) so I’m sure many people will be in the same position. As I gain in confidence and (hopefully!) a larger budget, I imagine our trips will become further flung and more adventurous.

My little princess is now 20 months old and has travelled to the three main Balearic Islands of Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca, and also Portugal. We’ve also travelled to France by coach and ferry for a long weekend for a big family event which was a lot easier than it sounds with the whole family on hand to help!

Our first trip was to Portugal when my baby was just 6 months old. We went with my Mum which definitely helped knowing I had some back up for that initial leap. I was very anxious that I’d forget to pack something incredibly important for the baby and be deemed an unfit Mum by some tutting judgey types on the journey!

Here’s my top tips for travelling with a baby:

1) Make a packing list of everything you usually need at home for the baby including the kitchen sink. You then may decide you don’t want or need certain things but having it all written down helps you to consider exactly what is necessary and reduces panic! I also recommend saving your list on your phone for future trips so you don’t need to think of it all over again.

2) Consider how you will transport your baby around. Will you hire a car? Do you you need to bring or hire a car seat? Will you use a pushchair or baby carrier or both? Personally, I think a baby carrier of any type is an absolute essential for hands free exploring that allows you to navigate places that are not buggy friendly such as anywhere with steps! Check what you can bring on the plane, baby places includes up to 10kg of extra baby items such as a car seat or buggy. You can take a buggy right up to the plane door and they place in the hold in most cases.

3) Remember that other countries have babies in them too therefore they have everything babies may need available to purchase from shops! You can buy what you forget or an equivalent most of the time. Obviously you will have your preferred products so bring them with you, but a local supermarket will provide the essentials.

4) Consider the climate but be prepared for all weather anyway. Think suncream, sunhat and raincoat, jumpers. Babies are sensitive little creatures that can’t make do with light jacket like we can!

4) Make the most of the time before your baby is 2 years old when infants are free on package holidays or a minimal fee to fly with because they don’t take up a seat. I had no idea that after 2 a child pays an adult price on flights and some holidays and niavely thought they’d be half price or something similar!

5) It’s good to travel with family, friends or a partner for some moral (and physical) support however this is not essential. Even when it seems impossible to carry all your belongings plus a baby through security, you will find a way and manage!

6) Remember that where there’s a will, there’s a way! If you really want to do something or go to a particular destination that seems difficult with a baby, there will be a slightly different version to make it possible. For example, you may not be able to climb that rocky hill for the best sunset view but you can see a beautiful sundown from a comfy bar on the beach below instead.

7) Embrace change. Your travel experiences will be different with a baby in tow than when it was just you on your own. Accept things will not be the same and you will not have as much freedom and get over it fast to be able to enjoy the precious present moments with your baby.

8) Fit in with your baby’s timetable! If you work round your baby’s needs your day will work out better than if you try to make them work around your plan! If there’s something you want to do like visit a gallery, time it so they’re likely to nap whilst your baby wear or in the buggy.

9) Be flexible! Babies are unpredictable little folk. Sometimes the day just doesn’t go to plan. Don’t force things and try to let things flow. Baby didn’t nap when they were supposed to? Then don’t try and enjoy that nice little local cafe when they are being a grumpy pants! Tomorrow is a new day. Mañana, mañana!

10) Always bring a bag full of snacks, so mini toys and anything else that keeps your baby still when travelling on planes, trains, buses and other forms of transport. I’m generally not a fan of screentime but hey, needs must! Do what you’ve got to do to survive any difficult journeys! My friend bought me an UFO sensory toy with pully bits and buttons on which I affectionately called The Toy of Truth as it was guaranteed to keep baby busy for a decent stretch of time on the move!

11) You probably already know that babies cry. Some members of the public haven’t quite grasped this fact yet and may be ready to judge you with their eyes or words if your baby decides to scream at the top of their lungs. This seems to be particularly prevalent on planes. Come up with some pre-prepared comments to say to these people such as, “Babies are like animals, they can sense bad energy around them.” (Shoot a glare at said person for extra effect) or just say directly, “Oh I don’t think she /he likes you.”

12) Take ALL the photos, save the tickets and buy those cute local baby items! Your baby may not remember the trip but you’ll be able to reminisce with your child in the future about what an amazing trip you had. Anything that helps you remember those stories and details is worth keeping as long as you don’t go over the luggage weight allowance on a return flight.

On a final note, remember to smile! Whatever goes wrong will probably be a funny story to tell on your return home or at the very least an experience! Travel is time when you have no choice but to be present and in the moment making precious memories with your baby. Embrace it!

This year we have a return trip to Ibiza to visit friends and a holiday to the Greek island of Skiathos planned. My little girl is a toddler now so it will be a whole different ball game once again with lots of new learning curves to boot which I will share with you in a future post.

Good luck and enjoy travels and with your baby, it’s worth it!