My research mode was on overdrive a month before our first international trip with Katie. I wanted to make sure that we won’t have any unfortunate incidents during the trip. Thankfully, the Internet does not lack information on travelling with baby.
I took some of what I read and applied them to our trip. But of course, some things will really be out of your control, and you just have to do the best you can. Here are six things I found useful for travelling with kids:
1. Plan your outfits
A week before we left, I was taking pictures of what Katie and I would be wearing for the duration of the trip. I wanted to make sure we would only bring just the right amount of clothes because I was concerned about the different luggage restrictions of our flights in different airlines.
From Cebu to Manila, JP and I had 25kg each. From Manila to London, we had 30kg. But form London to Rome, we only had 23kg available. I was also sure that Katie was going to receive additional winter clothes from her Aunts when we got to Rome, so I had to account for that when I was planning. Plus, I wanted to get souvenirs too. Then there’s diapers, bottles, formula, toiletries, etc.
Planning your outfits takes the stress off thinking what to wear during the trip. This saved us a lot of time in the mornings when we had to get up early for our tours with the family.
2. If you can, schedule your flights to the baby’s sleeping time
Our flight from Cebu to Rome was really good. Katie was able to sleep well during the 15 hour flight to London, as it was in the evening. On the flight to Rome, it was morning, she was cheerful enough and also had a quick nap.
The flight back to the Philippines was another story. Our flight from Rome to London was scheduled for after lunch. She was not able to sleep on the flight. We arrived in London around 3PM and our connecting flight to Manila was scheduled for 10PM. That’s a long wait at the airport. She was not able to sleep, since the airport is obviously a noisy place. She kept waking up at the sound of any announcement over the PA system. I was seriously considering locking ourselves inside the diaper changing station for a couple of hours.
By the time we boarded the plane at almost 11PM, she had a spectacular meltdown. Understandable, as she had not had any sleep the whole day. The airline could not give me the bassinet we requested since this was to be given only after takeoff. I had to set up blankets and pillows on the floor of the plane to lay her down to sleep for a few hours while we waited if our plane would ever take off. Eventually, our flight got cancelled for the next day (that’s another story).
Thankfully, the next day, our flight was at 6PM, which was just the right time for Katie to play a little bit, and then she was off to dreamland until about 3 hours before landing.
Seriously, think of your baby’s sleeping times when booking a flight. I understand there may be price considerations, but if you CAN, try scheduling your flight close to your baby’s sleep hours. There will be less stress for you and baby.
3. Bring entertainment for the baby
The baby doesn’t care if you bring her to the Sistine Chapel, or to any other tourist spot. All she wants is to look around her new surroundings for a bit, and then play and be entertained. So bring along a couple of toys in your baby bag. Plus a few more in your check in luggage (so she gets a surprise a few days later).
Download a couple of her favorite videos into your iPad or phone. Little Baby Bum and Baby Einstein videos are life savers!
4. Request for bassinets and cribs. And put the baby down.
There’s some cost involved in requesting a bassinet in the plane, but this is essential with a baby. I think babies get stressed out with all the sitting down in their stroller, being carried around, that in the end, all they really want is to lie down.
I learned this with Katie when she was screaming her head off at the start of our London to Manila flight. No amount of swaying or singing would calm her down. The only thing that silenced her was when I laid her down in the bassinet (which was after take off!)
We also requested for a crib in the hotel, but we ended up just sleeping with Katie on the bed. At the very least, the crib became extra storage space as the closet in the hotel was quite small.
In airports, I looked for a play area where I can get Katie to stretch and play. It was also a chance for me to rest my tired arms.
5. Pass the baby
If you’re going with friends and family, that’s not the time to be possessive of your baby. Give yourself a break and let your relatives carry her and entertain her for a while. This will give you a few minutes to: a) comb your hair and go to the toilet (haha) b) eat a meal peacefully c) sleep d) fix your messy room. This will also give your family a chance to get to know the baby if they rarely see her in person.
6. Work together with Daddy!
A large part of our trip not being so stressful as I expected it to be is because JP really helped out a lot. He carried our bags, took care of cleaning the bottles, prepared her milk and took her on walks around the hotel so I can get some rest. He sent me dinner to our room when I had to put Katie to bed. Plus, he watched and entertained her to give me time alone and walk around the museums.
Bottom: Train to Venice, inside the water bus in Venice, carrying her stroller across bridges in Venice
Let your partners help you out. You shouldn’t have to do it all alone. After all, you’re on vacation. You should be enjoying yourself too.
I hope you found this list helpful for your next trip. If you have any more tips for travelling with baby, please let me know in the comments section or email me. I’m always on the lookout for anything that will make traveling easier!
