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Travelling with Baby
Many sites offer you information on places to go and things to do whilst travelling. Though just having this information doesn’t really help you know how family or baby friendly a particular place or activity may be. So here I hope to give you a little bit more information in a ‘been there done that’ kind of way.
As I travel around, I will fill you in with my Travel Diaries and let you know how I found getting around my backyard now that I have a baby in toe. I will point out any positives, negatives or things to be aware of now that you are travelling as a family. As well as listing any advice or pointers I receive from other parents.
Travelling and holidays with a baby
B.C. (Before Child) we both used to love getting out and about and would only have to spend an hour deciding on where we spend our Christmas and Easter holidays. Basically if a hotel was close to the beach and a couple of bars and restaurants then we were sold. Nowadays, there is so much more to think about. For a start we need 2 bedrooms, and have to think about booking ground floor accommodation and looking for a hotel that comes with a wading pool.
When it came to sightseeing we just grabbed a tourist guide from the visitor centre, grabbed the camera and a bottle of water and off we went. We didn’t know or care if there were parent’s rooms, or child friendly cafes. Once we were dressed in the morning we were off, and there were no concerns about when we would get home or if we need a change of clothes, or somewhere to heat up our meals.
But now, that we are a family things have definitely changed, there has to be a lot more planning and consideration as to how we will get around and if the whole atmosphere and layout of a place is going to suit a baby.
Now I am a parent, I am basically shocked as to just how hard it is to get around with a child, and how very ‘unchild’ friendly a lot of places are. It is amazing how tight walkways and shop entrances are, and finding a change table or a quiet place to feed your baby can sometimes be impossible. And don’t even get me started on how frighteningly ‘unbaby’ proof hotels are.
It took me quite a while before I had the confidence to take my baby away on holidays. Not only was there so much to think about when it came to packing, but I was really worried if she would sleep in the port-a-cot and if her whole routine would get completely out of wack. I had heard a few horror stories from friends who had recently gone away, so when Christmas began closing in on us I started to get worried. For once in my life, I really had to decide whether we would take our normal beach vacation or play it safe and stay home with all our equipment and our familiar routine.
I spent a few weeks to-ing a fro-ing, but it was the thought of starting back at work, with a year of deadlines and meetings before my next summer break that got me thinking, that I really should be brave, and take a chance. Surely it couldn’t be that hard to take an 11 month old away on holiday, I mean they only needed some food, a few toys and somewhere to sleep, right?
Luckily for me once we had baby proofed the hotel, everything else worked out OK, in fact, all the beach and swim time, had her sleeping the best she had in her short life, and we were sad to go home.
The thought of spending a lot of money on non-refundable accommodation can be frightening, so if you are worried about taking ‘the risk’ maybe just a visit a friend overnight, or book a long weekend away at first, and then build up from there.
There are also a few other things that you can do to make travelling with a bub a bit easier to. Take a look here for some ideas from other parents.
Invest in a sun shelter, not only will it provide you some shade from the sun, but you can privately breastfeed, or let you little one have a nap on a towel if they get tired.
Book yourself into a self-contained apartment. Not only will you save money on the family meals by being able to cook at home, you usually your own private laundry facilities, which means you need to pack less.
Have two nappy bags. One your main nappy bag with all your supplies, and a mini nappy bag, that may just have a couple of nappies, a small pack of wipes and a spare t-shirt. Keep it small so you can just grab it when you are just going for a walk or down to the beach for an hour. You won’t always want to be lugging around all your supplies.
If your baby is mobile, baby proof your hotel as soon as you arrive. Get down on your hand and knees and look at what your baby can get into, particularly in the kitchen. And consider moving an arm chair in front of the balcony door if you are any higher than the ground floor.
If your baby is on solids take lots of tinned, canned or premade meals and snacks. It will not only save you time, but will be easier to feed them when you are out and about.
If you are out, and there is nowhere to warm your baby’s food, try asking the cafe for a mug of boiled water, you can simply float the baby’s bottle or tin of food in the water to warm it up, or ask to borrow the microwave, most places don’t mind.
Look for hotels that come with babysitting or have a children’s club for older children. Just getting the baby minded for an hour or so, so you can sit by the pool and relax will really helps you both get the most from your holiday.
Keep a couple of jars of baby custard and some rice crackers in your nappy bag. That way if you get held up or decide to stay out a bit later, your baby will have a quick ‘eat anywhere’ snack that doesn’t need preparation.
If your baby is bottle fed, always take some extra formula with you when you are out sightseeing, and take a thermos of hot water with you, this way you can make up a bottle no matter where you are.
Take your baby’s plastic drop sheet with you to the hotel. It will save trying to clean carpets after your baby has an ‘accident’ when eating their dinner.
Make sure you pack some toys to keep your little one entertained. Both whilst you are at the hotel and for when you want to go out to lunch.
Check if your hotel supplies a port-a-cot and if they hire out any other equipment. Some hotels can supply prams, highchairs and other basic baby equipment.
Check if your hotel has a bath, a spa. If not a large laundry sink may save you having to drag the baby’s bath along with you.
Forget the cloth nappies. You really need to use disposables when you are travelling. And it is easy just to throw a couple in your handbag with a packet of travel wipes, if you are heading out for a walk.
Try to plan your day trips around the baby’s nap and meal times. We went to the beach in the morning, came back for lunch and baby’s nap, then went out again in the afternoon. This way his routine wasn’t spoiled, and it gave Dad and I a chance to relax with the paper on the veranda and enjoy the view.
If you are visiting a main tourist attraction, give them a call before hand and let them know you have a baby. They will let you know what facilities they have available for babies and families. That way you don’t have to stress about whether there will be somewhere to feed a change the baby when you get there.
Try to double up your equipment where you can to save room in the car. For example, a pram that reclines can make a day bed when you are out, or a highchair. Or a portable booster seat can act as a highchair whilst you are out as well as in the hotel.
Try travelling when your baby is still young. When they are still exclusively breastfed, all you need is a couple of nappies, some wipes and a pram and you are packed for the day.
B.C. (Before Child) we both used to love getting out and about and would only have to spend an hour deciding on where we spend our Christmas and Easter holidays. Basically if a hotel was close to the beach and a couple of bars and restaurants then we were sold. Nowadays, there is so much more to think about. For a start we need 2 bedrooms, and have to think about booking ground floor accommodation and looking for a hotel that comes with a wading pool.
When it came to sightseeing we just grabbed a tourist guide from the visitor centre, grabbed the camera and a bottle of water and off we went. We didn’t know or care if there were parent’s rooms, or child friendly cafes. Once we were dressed in the morning we were off, and there were no concerns about when we would get home or if we need a change of clothes, or somewhere to heat up our meals.
But now, that we are a family things have definitely changed, there has to be a lot more planning and consideration as to how we will get around and if the whole atmosphere and layout of a place is going to suit a baby.
Now I am a parent, I am basically shocked as to just how hard it is to get around with a child, and how very ‘unchild’ friendly a lot of places are. It is amazing how tight walkways and shop entrances are, and finding a change table or a quiet place to feed your baby can sometimes be impossible. And don’t even get me started on how frighteningly ‘unbaby’ proof hotels are.
It took me quite a while before I had the confidence to take my baby away on holidays. Not only was there so much to think about when it came to packing, but I was really worried if she would sleep in the port-
I spent a few weeks to-
Luckily for me once we had baby proofed the hotel, everything else worked out OK, in fact, all the beach and swim time, had her sleeping the best she had in her short life, and we were sad to go home.
The thought of spending a lot of money on non-
There are also a few other things that you can do to make travelling with a bub a bit easier to. Take a look here for some ideas from other parents.
Invest in a sun shelter, not only will it provide you some shade from the sun, but you can privately breastfeed, or let you little one have a nap on a towel if they get tired.
Book yourself into a self-
Have two nappy bags. One your main nappy bag with all your supplies, and a mini nappy bag, that may just have a couple of nappies, a small pack of wipes and a spare t-
If your baby is mobile, baby proof your hotel as soon as you arrive. Get down on your hand and knees and look at what your baby can get into, particularly in the kitchen. And consider moving an arm chair in front of the balcony door if you are any higher than the ground floor.
If your baby is on solids take lots of tinned, canned or premade meals and snacks. It will not only save you time, but will be easier to feed them when you are out and about.
If you are out, and there is nowhere to warm your baby’s food, try asking the cafe for a mug of boiled water, you can simply float the baby’s bottle or tin of food in the water to warm it up, or ask to borrow the microwave, most places don’t mind.
Look for hotels that come with babysitting or have a children’s club for older children. Just getting the baby minded for an hour or so, so you can sit by the pool and relax will really helps you both get the most from your holiday.
Keep a couple of jars of baby custard and some rice crackers in your nappy bag. That way if you get held up or decide to stay out a bit later, your baby will have a quick ‘eat anywhere’ snack that doesn’t need preparation.
If your baby is bottle fed, always take some extra formula with you when you are out sightseeing, and take a thermos of hot water with you, this way you can make up a bottle no matter where you are.
Take your baby’s plastic drop sheet with you to the hotel. It will save trying to clean carpets after your baby has an ‘accident’ when eating their dinner.
Make sure you pack some toys to keep your little one entertained. Both whilst you are at the hotel and for when you want to go out to lunch.
Check if your hotel supplies a port-
Check if your hotel has a bath, a spa. If not a large laundry sink may save you having to drag the baby’s bath along with you.
Forget the cloth nappies. You really need to use disposables when you are travelling. And it is easy just to throw a couple in your handbag with a packet of travel wipes, if you are heading out for a walk.
Try to plan your day trips around the baby’s nap and meal times. We went to the beach in the morning, came back for lunch and baby’s nap, then went out again in the afternoon. This way his routine wasn’t spoiled, and it gave Dad and I a chance to relax with the paper on the veranda and enjoy the view.
If you are visiting a main tourist attraction, give them a call before hand and let them know you have a baby. They will let you know what facilities they have available for babies and families. That way you don’t have to stress about whether there will be somewhere to feed a change the baby when you get there.
Try to double up your equipment where you can to save room in the car. For example, a pram that reclines can make a day bed when you are out, or a highchair. Or a portable booster seat can act as a highchair whilst you are out as well as in the hotel.
Try travelling when your baby is still young. When they are still exclusively breastfed, all you need is a couple of nappies, some wipes and a pram and you are packed for the day.
Check if there is a late night chemist or an all hours Doctor in the area before you travel. That way you won’t panic should your baby get sick on a Sunday night.
Pack a small first aid kit, and make sure you pack some baby Panadol and teething gels. You never know when you might need it.
Pack a small first aid kit, and make sure you pack some baby Panadol and teething gels. You never know when you might need it.
Help grow this area with your own hints or tips for travelling or by providing some advice or feedback on places you have stayed or visited.
Places we have visited...
Queensland
Visiting the Sunshine Coast...
Visiting the Gold Coast...
