Travelling with a baby can seem like a daunting task, but with a little planning and the right bits and pieces with you, it can be made a much smoother, more enjoyable experience for all of you! From packing tips to figuring out how to deal with feeding while you’re on the go, we’ve got some collected advice to help get you started on what will work for you.
Less is More
Ah yes, that old refrain – but there’s a reason it’s so oft repeated, and it goes double for travelling with bubs. It can be incredibly tempting to throw everything you might need into as many bags as it takes, but there are only a few true baby travel essentials. Opting for lightweight baby gear as much as possible is one of the most essential packing tips for baby journeys you’ll need. Where possible, multi-use items are key, as you can save space fairly easily. For example, if your baby is still in their capsule, having one that doubles as a pushchair or pram covers both of the huge transport issues you may have to deal with (especially if your journey is by car). And if you can’t clip a capsule into a stroller? Consider baby-wearing; a wrap, sling or other approved babywearing carrier can fold up to a much smaller size than a bulky stroller. As for your clothing, rather than folding it, try rolling it – you’ll be amazed and how much space this one little change saves! You can even roll up entire baby outfits in one bundle, making it easier to get organised each morning. Just put together a onesie, socks, singlet, and outer layer, roll up tightly, and you can just grab each bundle as you need it!
Feeding On the Go
Feeding on the go seems complicated, but it doesn’t have to be – even if you’re still breastfeeding. If you’re travelling by air, breastfeeding on a plane is not only allowed, it’s often recommended while landing to help baby’s ears equalise to the pressure (similar to the way adults are given lollies to suck on). If you feel like you need some privacy, the Haakaa Cotton Swaddle Cloth is a lovely, lightweight cloth that can be used for more than just swaddling. Drape it over you and bubs (making sure their face isn’t covered) to double as a nursing cover, and you’re set!
Alternatively, if you prefer to pump and feed with a bottle, it’s entirely up to you. Haakaa has made pumping while travelling even easier, with a range of pumps that’ll help you get what you need, when you need it, as well as bottles and storage containers to keep it all in! The Gen 1, Gen 2 and Gen 3 Pumps are all classics, and are great ways to pump quickly and effectively. Or, if you prefer something smaller, the Shell is just the thing for you. A wearable pump/collector hybrid, this nifty little device will let you actively pump at home, at your accommodation, in the car, or on the plane without trouble, as well as passively collect any leaking breastmilk you might be dealing with so you can use it later! Once it’s full, or when you’re done collecting, simply transfer it to a clean, pre-sterilised container (you can steam sterilise them at home and pop them into a sealed container), then feed your baby.
Tip: Make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially if you’re on a plane. Air travel can be quite dehydrating at the best of times, and breastfeeding can exacerbate this, so asking for extra water (or grabbing a bottle once you’re through security) will be needed.
If your kids are a little bit older, keeping a Fresh Food Feeder (or two) with you can be a great way to not just keep them fed, but also to keep them entertained as well – long journeys are often tedious enough for us as adults, and we have the capacity to understand why we’re going it, where babies usually don’t. Particularly useful if you’ve got a grizzly, teething baby, taking the Haakaa Fresh Food Feeder for travel means you can use things like frozen fruit to deal with teething on the go (at the beginning of the trip, mainly, but if you’ve got a chilly bin or ice pack to keep back-ups cool, even better!).
Keeping Bubs Entertained
Try as you might with your planning, it’s often unlikely you’ll be able to complete your trip before baby wakes up – if they even go to sleep in the first place. That’s where some baby travel toys, such as the Haakaa Flower Suction Cup Spinner Toy, come in handy. This adorable spinner makes entertaining baby on a plane or however you’re travelling much easier – simply suction it to a smooth, flat surface, and let them spin the petals! It’s more than just a car seat toy, though. Attach it to their high chair or the side of the bath for endless enjoyment, no matter what you’re doing. It even has a pressable bubble on each petal to help develop coordination and keep those curious little hands busy!
Nappy Changing When Travelling
Now this is one that has the potential to be a little messy if you haven’t got yourself organised in advance. Ensuring your nappy bag is well-stocked is vital, and it’s definitely one of those situations where having slightly too much is vastly preferable to not having enough. So, alongside a few more nappies than you think you’ll need, having a change or two of clothing, some travel wipes and a good stash of nappy cream (think Haakaa’s Baby Bottom Balm), and you’re a good part of the way there. What some forget, however, is having something soft and clean to lie baby down on, especially if you’re having to, for example, use the boot of your car as a change table. And that’s where having a portable changing mat comes in. Haakaa has two sizes available – the larger 50 x 70cm version, and a smaller, 33 x 70cm 2 pack version, perfect for travel! The gorgeous patterns on the top show the soft, comfortable surface for baby to lie on, while the waterproof middle layer prevents any mess soaking through to the surface below. The final, lower layer is non-shifting to help keep it in place while you get that nappy changed as quickly as possible.
This is, of course, just a hint of the tips parents have when it comes to travelling with their little ones. Experienced parents, what sorts of things did you find helpful if you had to go on longer journeys with a baby?