Disclosure: collaborative post
There’s a lot to plan for any holiday, but travelling with a baby can be even more complicated. Babies need a lot of gear, and you have extra worries like what they’ll eat, how they’ll manage a flight, and whether they will be safe in the heat. If you’re planning a holiday abroad with a baby, here are some of the top tips to make it less stressful and more relaxed.
Get The Bassinet On The Flight
Most international flights have a baby bassinet available that attaches to the bulkheads, which is much more comfortable for you and the baby than trying to keep them on your lap. However, on most flights, you can’t reserve or book these bassinets. However, there are some tricks to up your chances of being the one who gets it.
Before you fly, phone up and request one. You might not get it, but the airline should note on your ticket that you asked for one, which can help. The best way to make sure you get a bassinet is to arrive early. Many airlines allocate them at the gate on a first come first served basis, so arrive for your flight as early as you can.
If you can’t get a bassinet, book an aisle seat. It will be much to get up and down with the baby if you’re not climbing over your seat neighbours.
Ask For A Crib At The Hotel
The last thing you want is to lug a load of baby gear across the world. Only take what you need and sort out everything else when you’re there. Before you arrive, call the hotel or your Airbnb and ask if you can book a crib. Most hotels can provide proper cribs, or at least a folding version, which saves you having to take your own.
If you’re booking a hotel, you can get everything you need, but still save on your trip with holiday discount codes.
Wear Your Baby
Wear Your Baby
If you can, wear your baby when you’re out and about instead of taking a pram out. If you’re visiting busy tourist attractions, you will find it easier to get around if you’re not navigating a bulky pram. It will be easy to navigate stairs, crowds, and tight spaces. As an added bonus, the baby will like being close to you and might stay calmer while you’re exploring. The motion of you walking can also help to lull the baby to sleep. If you are looking for the best carrier backpack for you and your baby, check out this review. These carriers are also great for outdoor adventures, like hiking with your little one
Don’t Pack Too Many Supplies
It’s easy to overpack with a baby, especially if you’re trying to pack enough wipes and nappies for your entire trip. Remember that there will be shops at your destination too and that the babies there need the same things that yours does.
Pack enough for the first couple of days, in case you can’t find a shop to begin with. Ask your hotel for a recommendation, but there’s no reason you can’t buy supplies like nappies while you’re there, and save yourself a lot of packing space.
Eat Early
If you’re going out for dinner and will be taking the baby with you, go early. Babies are unpredictable, but restaurants are usually quieter earlier in the evening, so fewer people will be disturbed if your baby does make a fuss. The other advantage of going early is that you’re less likely to have a tired, grouchy baby to deal with, and it’s less likely that someone else has beaten you to the last of the high chairs available.
If you can, try to avoid taking a pram with you. Restaurants abroad are often small and intimate, so there’s not a lot of room to keep a stroller nearby. Ask for a high chair, strap the carrier to a chair, or wear the baby instead.
Know When To Give Up
Sometimes, no matter what you do, babies just won’t settle. If that happens, know when to give up and head home. If the baby is really unhappy, you might have to call it a day and head back to the hotel. You can always try again another day.
Look For Priority Lines In The Airport
A lot of airports offer priority lines for boarding, customs, and security for people travelling with small children. This can be a godsend if you’re juggling a fussy baby and all their luggage, as you can avoid the crowds.
Priority boarding can be especially useful. You can get on the plane first, and have a few minutes peace to get your luggage into the overhead lockers, unpack any supplies you will need on hand for the baby, and get settled in, before the plane turns into a human traffic jam.
Not all airports offer this, but many do. If you can’t see a line, ask if there is one.
Know Security Protocol
If you have your baby in a sling or a pushchair, you might have to take the baby out to go through security. You will usually be asked to collapse the pushchair and put it on the belt. While you’re queuing, pay attention to any signs so you know what you need to do, and get ready before you reach the front. Get your liquids out and in their clear bag, get out any electronics out if you need to, and prepare anything else you’ll need out. That way, you can throw everything into the tray, instead of struggling to get it out of your bag at the same time as trying to fold down the pushchair and wrangle the baby. Nobody needs that stress with a queue of people tutting behind them.
Get Travel Insurance
Never travel without proper travel insurance, especially if you’re travelling with a baby. Before you travel, find out what medical services are available in the hotel, and where the nearest doctor or emergency room is. If the baby does become ill, you won’t have to waste time trying to find out where you can get proper help, as you’ll already know.
