Motherhood is as you take it, for some it can be rosy while a few others just count days to school. I have an 11 months old daughter and I partially fall in both these categories. Apart from the daily challenges, I must say, both my husband (Moksh) and I have had some great times with our daughter. Both of us are extremely fond of food and travel, so is our daughter. At this age too, she senses the outside food and loves to eat. About travelling, she is always happy to go on a drive at any hour. An important part of our family is our little dog 'Milo', who has been a part of most of our travel.
We have experienced travelling by road, ship and flight with the little one Vedika and are yet to experience the train travel. Here are some handy tips to travel with your little one-
1. If travelling by car, try getting your child to sit in the car seat for sometime if not the whole journey. This is important for you too, to stretch your legs and enjoy the drive. A little tip to make your child sit in the car seat is to keep her busy, with music or conversations. Also, give her a biscuit or a toy in her hand to play with.
2. Clothes- Please please do not overburden the child with fancy clothing. The diaper is enough to make the child feel hot. Make her wear clothes, where her body movement is not hindered. A body suit is recommended and if it is winters team it up with Pyjamas and socks. Keep changing the diaper too.
3. Baby essentials- Always remember 'You will have a successful trip, only if your child is comfortable'. Each child's requirements are different, cater to them first. Carry medicines, snacks and little toys to keep her busy.
4. Baby Gear- A pram and a carrier comes really handy. It is difficult to pick the kids up and roam everywhere. A pram lets your baby sleep anywhere, anytime. If you as a couple, want your own time, give the baby her time as well. Also, the airlines allow you to take the stroller till the aircraft, which makes it very convenient. The best part is that, it is not counted as a part of your baggage but carrying it is free of cost :)
5. Choice of destination- Do not choose destinations that are very high on activity. Cover the laid back ones till they turn 5, so that both you and the child have time to relax and do not have to run around. Children are most cranky, when they are sleepy. Make sure they get enough rest.
6. Respect their schedule- I agree its difficult to follow the child's schedule when you are out. Try planning your day as much as possible according to her timings to avoid discomfort to everybody.
7. Travel Light- Most difficult part, but carry bare minimum stuff as its you, who has to pack, roam around with and then unpack. Restrict the number of bags to one or two. Chances of leaving things here and there are very high with the little one.
8. Some items not to be missed- A liquid soap for washing bottles. Even if you do not sterilise them for a few days, its completely Ok. Boil the water in the electric kettle and wash them with it after washing with the soap. A liquid detergent for clothes, do pack the dirty clothes but sometimes the clothes are really dirty to pack. Wash and dry them before putting them back in your suit case. Odomos or any mosquito repellent, for a peaceful sleep and a comfortable evening stroll. An electric kettle, if you are driving down and have no constraint for baggage.
9. Camera- Believe me the best family photos are captured when you are travelling. If you want the best photos of your baby and the family, do not forget to pick up the camera bag.
10. Advance bookings- Very important to have a well planned trip. Make all bookings in advance and check out the hotel websites and amenities before you land there. I have once had a horrible experience because I had not checked on the hotels my travel agent had allotted to us. When you have a child, you need decent places to stay. Home stay can also be taken as your child is bound to feel more comfortable there with company.
I hope you find these points helpful. Also, on another note, do not cut costs on your trip.
Memories of holidays stay forever. A good hotel might increase your budget by 20%-30% but can increase your joy by 100%.
Have a happy and a safe trip!
We have experienced travelling by road, ship and flight with the little one Vedika and are yet to experience the train travel. Here are some handy tips to travel with your little one-
1. If travelling by car, try getting your child to sit in the car seat for sometime if not the whole journey. This is important for you too, to stretch your legs and enjoy the drive. A little tip to make your child sit in the car seat is to keep her busy, with music or conversations. Also, give her a biscuit or a toy in her hand to play with.
2. Clothes- Please please do not overburden the child with fancy clothing. The diaper is enough to make the child feel hot. Make her wear clothes, where her body movement is not hindered. A body suit is recommended and if it is winters team it up with Pyjamas and socks. Keep changing the diaper too.
3. Baby essentials- Always remember 'You will have a successful trip, only if your child is comfortable'. Each child's requirements are different, cater to them first. Carry medicines, snacks and little toys to keep her busy.
4. Baby Gear- A pram and a carrier comes really handy. It is difficult to pick the kids up and roam everywhere. A pram lets your baby sleep anywhere, anytime. If you as a couple, want your own time, give the baby her time as well. Also, the airlines allow you to take the stroller till the aircraft, which makes it very convenient. The best part is that, it is not counted as a part of your baggage but carrying it is free of cost :)
5. Choice of destination- Do not choose destinations that are very high on activity. Cover the laid back ones till they turn 5, so that both you and the child have time to relax and do not have to run around. Children are most cranky, when they are sleepy. Make sure they get enough rest.
6. Respect their schedule- I agree its difficult to follow the child's schedule when you are out. Try planning your day as much as possible according to her timings to avoid discomfort to everybody.
7. Travel Light- Most difficult part, but carry bare minimum stuff as its you, who has to pack, roam around with and then unpack. Restrict the number of bags to one or two. Chances of leaving things here and there are very high with the little one.
8. Some items not to be missed- A liquid soap for washing bottles. Even if you do not sterilise them for a few days, its completely Ok. Boil the water in the electric kettle and wash them with it after washing with the soap. A liquid detergent for clothes, do pack the dirty clothes but sometimes the clothes are really dirty to pack. Wash and dry them before putting them back in your suit case. Odomos or any mosquito repellent, for a peaceful sleep and a comfortable evening stroll. An electric kettle, if you are driving down and have no constraint for baggage.
9. Camera- Believe me the best family photos are captured when you are travelling. If you want the best photos of your baby and the family, do not forget to pick up the camera bag.
10. Advance bookings- Very important to have a well planned trip. Make all bookings in advance and check out the hotel websites and amenities before you land there. I have once had a horrible experience because I had not checked on the hotels my travel agent had allotted to us. When you have a child, you need decent places to stay. Home stay can also be taken as your child is bound to feel more comfortable there with company.
I hope you find these points helpful. Also, on another note, do not cut costs on your trip.
Memories of holidays stay forever. A good hotel might increase your budget by 20%-30% but can increase your joy by 100%.
Have a happy and a safe trip!
