Travel, with a baby? DO IT!
The very first thing to say about travelling with a baby is - DO IT! We took our little bear on her first holiday (2 weeks in Florida) at just 6 months old. We had found people to be quite negative about the idea of travelling with a baby. We were told numerous times - 'we should choose somewhere closer', 'a 9-hour flight with a 6 month old would be horrendous', 'she wouldn't remember any of it', 'she wouldn't be able to deal with the heat', 'her routine would be messed up'... I could go on, but you get the idea, lots of people, lots of opinions, most of which negative. Well we ignored them all, and I am so glad we did!
We had two of the best weeks of our lives on our first family holiday; getting to spend that much time together without any of the distractions of everyday life was beyond amazing! It didn't matter that she wouldn't remember it – she had an amazing time and the look on her face at every exciting new experience was unforgettable. Ultimately, the memories we made as a couple and as a family will stick with us for life – even if she won’t remember mischievously climbing all over the table during my birthday meal or trying to eat Minnie Mouse’s nose! As for the other comments? Well she was fine on the flight! Nine hours of uninterrupted focus on her from mummy and daddy? Yes please! Plus a plane full of people to swoon over her and tell her how beautiful she is? She loved it! She was fine with the heat too; we were just sensible about it - keeping her in shade, light clothing, avoiding the hottest times of day. As for her routine, if anything the warm weather, excitement, fun and family time meant she slept better than she had been at home.
The one thing to remember is that babies are pretty adaptable. Every time you stick them in the car seat or pushchair they have no idea where they are going… but most of the time, they just go with it, because they trust you, babies generally enjoy experiencing new things, well at least mine does for sure. In my opinion it’s the same principle with going on holiday. It is also worth adding that most of the negative comments came from people who had never travelled with a baby. The few people I had spoke to who had taken a baby away were far more reassuring. If those people are reading this, thank you so much, I felt far less nervous about our first trip after speaking with you. At the end of the day you know your baby better than anyone else, if you think they will be fine, they most probably will be
One thing you probably won’t be able to avoid is that travel anxiety. Any kind of journey has the potential to become stressful! I feel that we were very fortunate during the aforementioned Florida trip – it seemed our baby was more than happy flying on this occasion. However, even if you are not so lucky, try not to stress too much. It is just a small part of the trip after all! We witnessed one poor mum having a really tough time on our return flight…on her own with two kids (and the youngest screamed through most of the flight)! Every parent I could see on that flight gave this stressed mother a sympathetic smile including my husband and I. It was like a secret club and we were all thinking the same thing - 'that could just as easily been me!'
And it really could have been! So many factors can turn a regular day at home into something far more trying. Maybe it is teething, a bug, tiredness...or maybe sometimes your baby is just in a bit of a grump that day (it happens to all of us!) . Imagine if any of those invariables strike in an enclosed and unfamiliar space, more than likely whilst you’re being restrained…and surrounded by unrecognisable faces! If you experience a travel meltdown and/or less sympathetic passengers just remember- Its called 'public transport' not 'adult transport'. Babies are just as entitled to be on that plane, train, bus, boat or coach as adults, and sometimes, babies cry! Don't feel you have to apologise to anyone. You are already doing your very best, and that's the best you can do.
In just over a week Little Bear and I are going on our next adventure, to visit my best friend in Barcelona. I am slightly nervous; this time I’m going on my own, plus little bear is walking constantly and isn’t a great fan of sitting down! But I am mostly excited. Travel is great for kids. Stepping away from the rigours of day-to-day life and spending time with family or friends, without the standard daily distractions and stresses can be great for everyone. If you have always travelled but now have a baby, don't stop now! Those holidays are even better. Even if you stay in England, just take some time out together. Explore new things, see new places, meet new people, you wont regret it, I promise!! We are already planning our next family holiday, possibly Canada, but where ever it is, if we are all together and having fun it will be awesome!
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We had two of the best weeks of our lives on our first family holiday; getting to spend that much time together without any of the distractions of everyday life was beyond amazing! It didn't matter that she wouldn't remember it – she had an amazing time and the look on her face at every exciting new experience was unforgettable. Ultimately, the memories we made as a couple and as a family will stick with us for life – even if she won’t remember mischievously climbing all over the table during my birthday meal or trying to eat Minnie Mouse’s nose! As for the other comments? Well she was fine on the flight! Nine hours of uninterrupted focus on her from mummy and daddy? Yes please! Plus a plane full of people to swoon over her and tell her how beautiful she is? She loved it! She was fine with the heat too; we were just sensible about it - keeping her in shade, light clothing, avoiding the hottest times of day. As for her routine, if anything the warm weather, excitement, fun and family time meant she slept better than she had been at home.
The one thing to remember is that babies are pretty adaptable. Every time you stick them in the car seat or pushchair they have no idea where they are going… but most of the time, they just go with it, because they trust you, babies generally enjoy experiencing new things, well at least mine does for sure. In my opinion it’s the same principle with going on holiday. It is also worth adding that most of the negative comments came from people who had never travelled with a baby. The few people I had spoke to who had taken a baby away were far more reassuring. If those people are reading this, thank you so much, I felt far less nervous about our first trip after speaking with you. At the end of the day you know your baby better than anyone else, if you think they will be fine, they most probably will be
One thing you probably won’t be able to avoid is that travel anxiety. Any kind of journey has the potential to become stressful! I feel that we were very fortunate during the aforementioned Florida trip – it seemed our baby was more than happy flying on this occasion. However, even if you are not so lucky, try not to stress too much. It is just a small part of the trip after all! We witnessed one poor mum having a really tough time on our return flight…on her own with two kids (and the youngest screamed through most of the flight)! Every parent I could see on that flight gave this stressed mother a sympathetic smile including my husband and I. It was like a secret club and we were all thinking the same thing - 'that could just as easily been me!'
And it really could have been! So many factors can turn a regular day at home into something far more trying. Maybe it is teething, a bug, tiredness...or maybe sometimes your baby is just in a bit of a grump that day (it happens to all of us!) . Imagine if any of those invariables strike in an enclosed and unfamiliar space, more than likely whilst you’re being restrained…and surrounded by unrecognisable faces! If you experience a travel meltdown and/or less sympathetic passengers just remember- Its called 'public transport' not 'adult transport'. Babies are just as entitled to be on that plane, train, bus, boat or coach as adults, and sometimes, babies cry! Don't feel you have to apologise to anyone. You are already doing your very best, and that's the best you can do.
In just over a week Little Bear and I are going on our next adventure, to visit my best friend in Barcelona. I am slightly nervous; this time I’m going on my own, plus little bear is walking constantly and isn’t a great fan of sitting down! But I am mostly excited. Travel is great for kids. Stepping away from the rigours of day-to-day life and spending time with family or friends, without the standard daily distractions and stresses can be great for everyone. If you have always travelled but now have a baby, don't stop now! Those holidays are even better. Even if you stay in England, just take some time out together. Explore new things, see new places, meet new people, you wont regret it, I promise!! We are already planning our next family holiday, possibly Canada, but where ever it is, if we are all together and having fun it will be awesome!
Swimming with fish and rays at Discovery Cove for my birthday. This was a great day!
Meeting my favourite Disney Princess. Little bear and Ariel playing peek a boo
This is definitely one of my favourite memories, and my husbands too. Little bear was mimicking Chewbaccas noises, she was fascinated by him
Little bear had a dip in the Ocean and got to play in real sand for the first time (and of course eat some too!)
One of 3 water parks we visited. Little bear loves swimming so had great fun getting to swim all day, she especially loved the wave machine.
This moment was truly mesmerising, this is little bear with Hope from the film A Dolphins Tale 2, at the Clear Water Marine Aquarium. Hope is still a baby too and they were fascinated by each other, she kept swimming right up to the window where they would stare at one another
Minnie meets Minnie, I'm not sure which Minnie was more excited!
On Safari at The Animal Kingdom
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