In the UK there are some travel vaccinations that cannot be given to infants below certain ages, for example, the NHS are not licenced to administer the typhoid vaccination to infants under the age of 2 years. Check the NHS website for general information on immunisations. Always check with your doctor or nurse well ahead of your departure date which vaccinations your child will need, and how far in advance of travel they must be administered. It is also important to ensure your child is up to date with all their standard vaccinations prior to travel.
Protecting Delicate Skin
A common problem you may encounter abroad is nappy rash, this may be a new problem for your baby or may be worsened by hot weather and extended periods of sitting in pushchairs, car seats etc. To reduce the effects of this, take plenty of nappy rash cream with you and change nappies more frequently. Also, try to leave your baby without a nappy on as often as possible, such as when in the hotel room. Hot weather can also exasperate other skin conditions, such as eczema, making your child very irritated and uncomfortable, so speak to your doctor or health visitor about extra measures that can be taken. Ensure delicate or sensitive skin is always covered by thin, loose clothing and that skin is allowed to breathe overnight. This is a good idea for all babies anyway.
Keeping Hydrated
It is absolutely vital to keep babies and children well hydrated in hot countries. Make sure you always have fluids available and carefully monitor their intake, as well as how much urine they are producing. Young children, particularly babies, can deteriorate rapidly if they become dehydrated and it can be extremely dangerous for them. Always carry re-hydration salts in case they are needed in a hurry. When travelling with children of any age, it is extremely important to have comprehensive travel insurance. Ideally you should purchase this as soon as your holiday is booked.
Travel Insurance
Many companies now offer free travel insurance for all children travelling on a family policy, this includes for single parents. If you are travelling to a number of countries on one trip over an extended period of time (usually 30 days or more), you will most likely require backpacker travel insurance. This type of insurance is also available as a family policy and if you shop around the kids should still go for free on your policy. Comparison sites are often a good way to find the best deals.
The best way to deal with travelling with babies and young children is to plan as much you possibly can in order to allow things to run as smoothly as possible, but remember that with all the planning and best will in the world, little ones don’t always play ball. Don’t get too caught up in sticking to your plan too rigidly, no one knows your child better than you and so if things don’t go to plan just try to relax and go with their flow. Good luck, and if all else fails, there’s always bribery 🙂
When planning a trip with an infant, the two most important decisions in terms of equipment are the travel cot and the pushchair. Depending on the type of trip you are planning, getting these items right can be absolutely vital.
Travel Cots
Some hotels will provide a cot in your room, but there will often be an additional charge for this and so it may be more cost effective to purchase a travel cot. If your trip involves only one hotel or travel with a rental car, a standard light weight travel cot would be the best option. Although they can be quite bulky, the space and sturdiness they provide for an infant are worth the extra baggage. Unlike some smaller options, these types of travel cots are suitable for use from birth up to three years of age, making them a good investment if you will be taking multiple holidays during this time. Some airlines will carry travel cots free of charge in addition to your checked baggage limit, others will charge unless you incorporate the travel cot into your existing baggage allowance. You will need to check with your individual airline for their policies. If your trip involves a lot of travel without a car for much or all of the travel, using a standard travel cot would be awkward and would make life extremely difficult. There are a few options available for very compact and lightweight travel cots. These types of travel cots require some research in order to find the right one to fit your criteria. Although they are not ideal, as they sit directly on the floor and often have quite thin mattresses, they are essential when embarking on a trip that involves extensive travel.
You may consider buying a travel cot once you reach your destination, if you are travelling to somewhere where this may be a cheaper option, such as the US.
‘When deciding on a travel cot for our latest trip, I knew that one of the very light weight options was essential. I had never used one before and was a little dubious about them. When I first started my research, I found the LittleLife Arc 2 travel cot. It looked perfect and had good reviews, but it had one problem, the price. After scouring the net for hours, the cheapest price I found was £80. With budget in mind, I decided to research alternate options. My youngest (and last!!!) child was 12 months old and since this type of travel cot is only suitable for use up to 18 months, it would only be used for a single trip, for which £80 seemed a bit excessive. As parents it is often our instinct to go out and get our children the most expensive things we can afford, but it is important to remember that a high price tag does not necessarily mean the best product for yours and your infant’s requirements. I have fallen into this trap on many occasions over my years of parenting but now, three children in, I can no longer afford to splurge on unnecessary items. I then came across the Koo-di (formally Samsonite) travel cot, costing around £40. It looked great for purpose and also had good reviews; however, one common complaint with this item seemed to be how thin the mattress is. I of course wasn’t going to have my son sleeping somewhere that wouldn’t be comfortable for him, but the Koo-di being half the price of the LittleLife cot I couldn’t give up on it so easily. I looked at the inflatable mattress available for the Koo-di cots, but a lot of the reviews for it were terrible and it cost around £25. I thought about what I could possibly put under the mattress to make it comfier, such as pillows, and then his dad had the great idea of cutting down a camping roll mat to fit inside the cot underneath the mattress. I had to get a wider than regular roll mat to fit the dimensions of the cot, but this still only cost £7.99.’ The Koo-di travel cot is very easy to erect and is suitable from 6 to 18 months of age. The sides and roof of the cot are made from netting material which is suitable for use as insect and mosquito netting. It folds away into a small carry bag and weighs only 2.2kg. There is also a pop-up bassinette available from Koo-di, suitable from birth to 6 months.
‘Now came the real challenge; getting my baby boy to sleep in it! He was more than happy to play in the cot, but didn’t like being zipped in. As our trip involved travelling to places where mosquitos are a significant problem, he had to get used to it before we left. I decided it would be much easier to get him accustomed to the cot at home and deal with all the tears and tantrums here, rather than in hotel rooms abroad. I left the cot erected in the living room for a couple of weeks, allowing him to crawl in and out of it at his leisure. I then decided to place the travel cot inside actual cot to get him used to sleeping in it. He put up a good resistance, but eventually I was able to get him to sleep in it with the side zipped up. The Koo-di travel cot is a fantastic choice for trips involving lots of travelling and I would highly recommend it.’
Pushchairs
The type of pram/pushchair you take will depend on your child’s age and your type of holiday, and it may be that your regular pushchair is sufficient. If you need something smaller, very basic lightweight buggies can be picked up from as little as £15 (not suitable for babies under 6 months). If your baby will be spending a lot of time in the pushchair, these are probably not a great idea; go for something more comfortable that has a hood, basket and lay-back options. If you will be doing a lot of walking and/or walking on rough terrain, you will need a sturdy pushchair, preferably with lockable wheels and all round suspension. If your regular pushchair doesn’t meet your needs but you don’t want to splash out on a new one, you could consider buying second hand, particularly if it will only be used for holidays. There is of course lots of other equipment to take along for the little ones.
Carriers
A carrier can be a handy item to take along and there are various options available. Most front carriers are suitable from birth to approximately 12 months; carriers that can be used as both front and back carriers are usually suitable from birth to approximately 18 months and back carriers from 6 months to 15kg (approximately 36 months). Most sling style carriers are suitable from birth to 15kg. For extensive walking or walking on tough terrain, such as mountains or volcanos, a back carrier is essential for infants from 6 months old. There are some great options available. ‘My preference for a general day to day carrier is the sling style. For my youngest now I use the BabaSling, which is suitable form birth to 15kg. It is light weight, folds neatly into its own small bag and is available in a wide range of colours. Although these carriers can be expensive, there are often sales on less popular colours direct from BabaSling and so you can get a great deal. My favourite back carriers are the LittleLife range. They can be quite expensive, but I have always found them to be great quality and I believe this to be an item worth investing in.’ The accessories for these back carriers are also quite expensive, but if you shop around there are deals to be found. If travelling somewhere hot, the LittleLife sun shade is a must. It is a structure that attaches to any LittleLife back carrier. The rain cover is of similar design, but not an essential item as an adult poncho can be placed over the sun shade frame, giving protection from the rain at a fraction of the cost. There is also a travel carrier available specifically for the back carriers, but again cheaper options are available, such as a fold away holdall.
Sterilising and Preparing Bottles
If your infant is under 12 months and so still needs their bottles to be sterilised, this can make things awkward. Sterilisers are often quite bulky items and not ideal shapes for packing, particularly steam ones. A microwave steriliser that doubles as a fresh water steriliser may be a better option or, to keep costs minimal, you could just purchase a large tupperware tub and some sterilising tablets. A good tip for space saving when packing is to fill your steriliser/tub with baby milk/food. Depending on the length of your stay and how much milk your baby goes through, readymade formula cartons can be an easier option than making up bottles in a hotel room. If you prefer to make up the bottles, check with your hotel that there is a kettle in the room (these are not always in the nicest of conditions) or you could perhaps take a travel kettle with you. If you choose this option, you may need to make up bottles on the go so to make life easier you could make up all the bottles with just boiled cooled water in the morning and carry the milk powder in a hand dispenser.
Other Items to Consider
If you are travelling to an area where mosquitos and other insects can be a problem, it is important to take an insect net to protect your child whilst out in the pushchair and overnight in the travel cot. You can purchase these separately, or there are universal nets that will fit both. A sun shade or parasol for the pushchair is also a must in hot countries. The remainder of other infant items you might choose to take are really down to personal preference. There are some fantastic travel items available for babies and children now. ‘Before planning the items I wanted to take for my baby on my latest trip I had never heard of the Koo-di brand, but I have discovered that they make some great pack away products. I think I got a bit carried away with the novelty of ‘pack away’, and perhaps the changing bag that folds into a smaller bag wasn’t strictly necessary, but it does the job all the same. Other items I purchased were a seat harness, perfect for those places that don’t have highchairs, and the pushchair sun shade. They all fold away very neatly and are small enough to carry in a changing bag or handbag. Prices can vary quite significantly, so shop around to get the best deals.’
When flying long haul with a baby, the struggle begins from the moment of booking.
There are many issues to consider, and you soon realise all the things you took for granted when flying before baby arrived, like freedom to move, having your arms to yourself and not having to become a contortionist when trying to retrieve a fallen, or more likely thrown, dummy. Read on to discover tried and tested methods for reducing the stress of flying with babies and young children and making it a much more pleasant experience for all.
Getting to the airport
Gone are the days of effortlessly wheeling your case from the taxi to the check in. Welcome to juggling car seats, oversized luggage, bottles, coats, blankets and trying desperately to keeping hold of whatever you usually use as a soother. This is where stress levels will reach heights you never knew existed, but taking into account a few things, it can still be effortless. Mostly.
All airports offer parking, many now offer meet and greet. This means, you drive right up to the terminal, get your things out of the car, leave the keys and cross the road to the terminal. It is the single most effortless way to arrive at the airport, but also the most expensive. Usually not as much as what you might expect, some also throw in free (or reduced price) fast track at security.
Many airports are now trying to squeeze every penny out of travelers and one way that is drastically increasing is paying for trolleys. Not a problem on departures, since you will likely have cash, but consider when you arrive, and have no local currency.
Bassinettes
Using and booking bassinets on a flight
When flying long haul with a baby, the struggle begins from the moment of booking. On the majority of airlines, it is extremely difficult to book a bassinet, even on those airlines which insist that you use one. As bassinets must be placed at the bulkhead positions of the plane, booking them on most airlines must be done over the phone. As well as parents travelling with infants, the bulkhead is also available to those who require extra leg room due to a disability, so it may be that there is only space for one parent to be seated with the infant. There are a limited number of bassinets on each flight, dependent upon the type of aircraft, and these are provided to the youngest babies on the plane. It does not work on a first come first serve basis and so unfortunately booking a bassinet does not guarantee it will be available to you on the day of your flight, and usually you will only find this out after checking in (which is a real pain). There are also airlines that will not allow you to book a bassinet at all, but instead assign them at check in. It is important to contact your airline to make appropriate arrangements early to give yourself the best chance of securing the ever elusive bassinet. ‘On a return flight from the US with Delta Airlines, when travelling with our 12 month old son, we were not allowed by the airline to book our seats either on-line or over the phone. This is something we had never experienced before with any other airline and was of big concern.
On looking at the seat map in our booking, we could see that many of the seats on our flight had be reserved and we were worried we would end up in terrible seats and perhaps even seated separately. Despite our pleas, Delta refused to assign us seating until check in, but assured us that we would be assigned bulkhead seats. On the day of the flight, due to a tight connection time we were amongst the last of the passengers to board, by which time the bulkhead where the bassinet fitted had been assigned to a family with an older child. We were extremely tired from all the travel up to this point and by now also very frustrated.
We were put in the middle isle half way down the plane, which with an infant on our knees screamed of a nightmare as there was very little space. Fortunately, although perhaps not for him, our son fell, banged his head and got stuck between the seats in front. The stewardess appeared in the midst of the commotion and at that point I lost it. I rarely kick up a fuss, but I had by now surpassed my limits of what I could take. A good old rant from me and a polite word with the other family from the stewardess later, we were at the bulkhead with a bassinet and lots of glorious leg room.’ A potential disadvantage to the bassinet is that infants must be removed from them during times of turbulence when the seat belt sign is illuminated.
This can mean having to wake your little one numerous times, which may mean the benefits of the bassinet can be outweighed by the disruption to baby. Also, as we all know babies can be extremely stubborn little things and it can prove difficult getting them stay in the bassinet and to keep them happy and quiet at the same time.
Seats
Tips for flying with baby and toddlers
The alternative to having an infant on your lap and using a bassinet is to purchase your child a seat on the flight, however, in order for children under two to occupy a seat you will be required to take a car seat for them to use on the flight. There are obvious advantages to this option, but they come at a cost. Prices for infants under two travelling on a parent’s lap vary significantly between airlines. Each airline tends to have a set fee that is not dependant on destination, the most expensive of which will be around £99. If you wish to book a seat for your infant you will be charged the same fare as a child over two years, which these days is very often not much cheaper than the adult fare. Most airlines don’t allow babies younger than six months to book a seat. Additionally, car seats must be a specific type, for example they must be forward facing and must conform to British Safety Standards. For airline/flight specific details on requirements, check on-line or contact your airline directly. On some budget airline flights the adult/child price may actually be cheaper than the standard infant fare for the airline, so it can sometimes be cheaper to book a seat. However, not all budget airlines allow customers to book infants onto their flights in this way, so always check this before going ahead with your booking.
Effects of Cabin Pressure
There are many issues to contend with when flying with an infant. One of the problems a parent may experience during a flight with a baby involves the change in pressure during take-off and landing. Babies’ ears are often more sensitive to these pressure changes and for those affected, symptoms can range from mild discomfort to a severe pain. There is no way to tell if your child will be affected, but there are factors which may make them more likely to have a bad experience, such as a cold or an ear infection.
If your child is affected by pressure changes, it is not only an awful experience for them, but it can also make them impossible to comfort, sometimes causing them to cry for hours.
Nobody wants to see their child in such discomfort or be the parent on the flight whose baby just will not stop screaming, getting scowled at by people who would have you believe that their children never cried a minute in their lives. Luckily there is a way to reduce the chance of this happening.
One tried and tested method for tackling this issue is to give your baby their bottle or a drink of water/juice during take-off and landing. For more information, speak to your doctor or health visitor. ‘I am not entirely sure how this works, but it worked well from my experience. My middle child was badly affected by pressure changes when he was younger. I had heard of this method before flying with him and so had used it previously, but when coming to land on a flight to the US when he was 15 months old, I had not wanted to wake him and thought he would be ok. It turned out to be a big mistake. He was still inconsolable when we reached the hotel about two hours after landing; it had obviously been very painful for him. Calpol eventually settled him down, but I have never taken that chance since and haven’t had another bad experience like this with my children.’
Liquids
Something that not all parents may be aware of is that you can take formula and expressed breast milk that is over 100ml for your infant. However, you will be required to taste these in front of airport staff before passing through security. You may also be asked to take a taste from any baby food jar before being permitted you to take it through. If like many parents you would rather taste a harmful substance than a jar of baby food, most staff will allow you to give your infant a small taste instead. In addition, water may be taken through security, but must be in a baby bottle. At UK airports, Boots stores will allow you to pre-order baby milk and food, so if you want to avoid testing altogether at the airport, you can pick up the items you need once you’ve passed through security. If you decide to take infant paracetamol or ibuprofen in your hand luggage (which I highly recommend) this should be in the form of 5ml sachets. Other essential medicines that are larger than 100ml can be taken on board; however, a doctor’s letter may be required as well as prior approval from the airline. Inhalers are the exception to this. For official information see https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/overview.
What to Take on the Flight?
Make sure you pack extra nappies, wipes, cream and food/milk in case of delays. At least one spare outfit is also a must, particularly for a baby, in case of leaking nappies or spills. It is important to make sure you carry items on the flight that will keep your infant occupied, such as a few small toys. Though most major long-haul airlines do provide kid packs, they only entertain your child for half a second. Always always always carry spare dummies, as these are very easily lost between the seats and can be difficult to retrieve.
‘I always use dummy holders that clip on to my baby’s clothes when travelling, but my little monkeys have been known to throw these along with their dummy into hard to reach places too.’
Other items that may be a good idea are a blanket (as one will not be provided for infants travelling on an adult’s lap) and your child’s favourite teddy. For young children, in addition to toys, you might consider a couple of travel games such as Uno or Top Trumps. MB do some good travel versions of their standard games, such as Connect Four and Guess Who.
In-flight Entertainment
Keeping babies and toddlers occupied
On most long-haul flights there will be some form of in-flight entertainment, such as televisions at the bulkhead and above the isles, with many now having seat back TV screens for each passenger which often come with on demand movies and programmes, as well as music and games. These are fantastic for keeping young children entertained. You can check what on-board entertainment will be available on your flight, as well as lots of other flight specific information by visiting seat guru and entering your flight details. For flights and other travel where this type of entertainment isn’t available, an mp3 player or even a small tablet or mini laptop could be a good investment. Some seats now have power points, so you may be able to charge these on the go.
Jet Lag
Flying longhaul with babies and toddlers
Another issue you may encounter when flying long haul is jet lag. Most people will experience some form of jet lag and symptoms and severity varies greatly, for some it can be extremely traumatic and debilitating, yet for others they may feel just mildly tired. A great way to reduce the effects of jet lag is to get yourselves and the little ones into the local time at your arrival destination straight away – Change you watches as soon as you board the flight and don’t look back.
When people say that getting there is half the adventure, when flying with babies and young kids this is very true and though it sure is an adventure, it’s one well worth doing.
When deciding whether or not to go traveling with kids there are seemingly a million reasons not to go, and a billions ways in which things can go wrong. The reality is that these concerns rarely materialise, but there are certain responsibilities you have as a parent and with a little planning and a lot of hope you can streamline your trip and leave your worries at home.
It goes without saying that the number one concern for parents is safety and even now it is still what I plan everything around. Though it’s fair to say not every parent will let their kids para glide, or burn around town on a motorbike, we all have some level of safety which we need to meet in order to adhere to parental responsibility and also so we can relax a little without spending the duration worrying.
All of the different aspects of safety are covered in this website, but the reality is that with a bit of common sense and planning you can minimise risk and look forward to a fantastic holiday with the young ones in tow. Ticking the safety box however is just one area of travel. Travelling takes us out of our comfort zone and things which might not usually be a concern is suddenly a big deal – This is completely natural, everyone who travels for the first time will have some kind of reservations.
With that in mind I have trawled through the emails I have received and picked out the most common questions people have asked:
Is traveling with kids exhausting?
It goes without saying that the younger your child is, the more tiring it will likely be, but as parents we are already used to long days and if you can settle into a routine and of course, once your child adjusts to the changes in temperature and humidity things get easier. I have always said that generally, the most difficult part of any trip we have done is the first week or so. However, older children are easy, they help out so much and love the responsibility. As my children have gotten older our trips are now very much ‘us’ where as when Abi was 4, it was most certainly ‘me and the kids’. Check out traveling with babies and young children for extra advice regarding our little mites.
Is it expensive?
That depends; It can be insanely expensive and costs can very quickly spiral out of control, or it can be almost as cheap as traveling alone. See the scams section for advice on how to avoid paying more than you should.
Does travel wear kids out?
If you board a lengthy train journey through stunning scenery then it doesn’t matter how beautiful the journey may be through your eyes, it will soon become a repetitive bore through those of a child. However, catching a child in that stage of boredom is fantastic, because with the right tools and ideas their imagination can run wild.
What about illnesses, I’ve heard it can be dodgy in places?
Increased risk of illness, poor sanitation and tropical diseases are obvious concerns for any parent, and for many it will be their major concern. Unfortunately there is no escaping the fact that when travelling, children are more likely to get ill than back in the UK. Similarly, medical standards may not always be to the same standard as in the UK, but with a little care, planning and common sense the risks of illness can be massively reduced. See the Stay well page for loads more info and advice.
Does it get too hot for kids?
Put simply, yes it does. It gets too hot even for adults, but again, a little planning, a lot of sun lotion and gallons of water mean that the sun doesn’t have to be anything other than a necessary part of your trip. Check out the Climate section for how to deal with the varying weather.
Is it dangerous?
Some places are dangerous, but more often than not tourists are not the focus of criminals. Generally, your biggest risk is falling victim to some scam or at worst pick pocketing. But situations do change and when traveling you need to be aware of places that are more risky than others, and where to avoid. The UK government runs a site where you can check the situation prior to travel, or should you find yourself somewhere, how best to get out. See https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
What are the chances of me being scammed?
About 100%, but think about it, you are a foreigner probably in a country where poverty likely to be rife; you are fair game. Invariably you will pay more for a bottle of water than a local would, or it might even be a government enforced ‘tourist tax’ that stings you, but then again some people are conned out of lots of money. Avoid spending your holiday shelling out needless and copious amounts of cash by reading common Scams and preparing yourself.
Can I book trains/buses/flights Online?
Some things are vital to book prior to travel, whether to save money, or to guarantee a place. Read the section on planning for a heads up.
Would you suggest nice hotels, or beds on a budget?
Booking hotels can be an absolute minefield. On the one hand you want somewhere cheap, but on the other you don’t want to literally get what you pay for when you hand over a crisp $5 note. There are a million things to consider in regards to where you are staying and different people will rank different aspects in a different order. For instance, my top 3 tend to be safety, cost and location. Yours might be safety, comfort and amenities. See planning for more help.
I can barely manage money in the UK, how will I cope abroad?
Spending abroad has never been cheaper, or more efficient. The days of going to your local currency exchange and looking to get screwed are over.
What should I pack?
Remember, what you pack – You carry. Check out the Packing section for essentials, and for short cuts.
OK, I’m ready to go – Now what?
Excellent, your life is about to change forever!!! Start Planning and look forward to your holiday of a lifetime!
