 25
Top Travel Tips
Travel has always been a huge part of my life; for me nothing beats
the exhilaration that discovering the world can bring so when my beautiful
daughter, Isabella (sitting in her Bumbo baby seat right), arrived in
March 2007 there was no way I was going to stop. Adapt yes, stop … never;
in fact the challenge simply adds to the experience.
My husband and I have taken her by ferry to France, to Norway by plane,
on 3 trips to Greece and currently we are on a year-long road trip across
Europe so, all these tips are gleaned from our extensive travels with
our baby daughter!
Here are Alice's tips for :
- Write a list and then cull. You never need as much as you think and
a carefully packed bag gives the illusion of having less than you do
while making you a modern-day Mary Poppins to boot!
- If you're going somewhere hot for a week, take 7 outfits and wash
each one daily in the shower. Hey presto, 14 outfits to cover all eventualities.
- If you're bottle-feeding try to pack a box of formula although the
ready-made cartons are perfect to keep in your hand luggage or for emergencies.
We have even bought Greek formula, with the help of an American resident
who translated the label!
- A rucksack with a cool compartment for made-up bottles is handy if
you're heading out for long walks. Most cafes and restaurants are more
than happy to give you a bowl or large mug of boiling water to warm
in.
- Sterilise in a sink or bowl found almost anywhere; just don't forget
your sterilising tablets.
- Isabella joins us at all restaurant meals. In the absence of a high
chair, a chair with arms and strategically placed cushions works a treat
- in a French restaurant the owner even brought her childhood wooden
highchair out!
- Expect the proprietor to take your baby on a restaurant tour while
you eat; this happens alot in Europe.
- A Bumbo
baby seat is great if travelling by car: small, easily transportable
and used anywhere. If you're caravanning, a step works a treat as a
mini-table.
- Once Isabella was onto solids we opted for the 'try her with everything'
route. At 15 months she loves curry, olives, stuffed vine leaves and
when we head through the Pyrenees to Spain next week, hopefully Tapas
… we're keeping the Sangria to ourselves though!
- Trains, planes, boats, restaurants, the back garden of the French
farm where we are currently volunteering; mostly we have kept her in
routine whilst maintaining all-important adult time by using quickly-put-together
mattress ensembles, slings and a buggy.
- A Samsonite
Pop Up Bubble travel cot that folds to 2ft x 1ft, weighs 2kg and
zips up offering protection from mosquitos is the best investment we
ever made.
- Changing nappies on a plane is challenging, but as a tag-team, light
work is made. One stands with wriggly baby, the other hands over all
necessary components one at a time.
- If on a road-trip use the flat door of your boot or the seats as a
changing table. All are adequate with balance and negotiation.
- Many restaurants will not have changing rooms, but in a Greek restaurant
recently the top of an antique cupboard was cleared of ornaments to
provide the perfect space!
- UK Glovebox Road Atlas; you may laugh but this always buys us twenty
minutes peace on long car journeys. We have no idea why, but possibly
the intricacy of the pages keeps her eyes busy or maybe she is going
to grow up to be a map-reader? In my mind, when something works, don't
ask questions!
- Isabella always wants things she is not allowed so in tense times
out comes a small selection of items she 'believes' are forbidden. Knowing
she is doing something she shouldn't be keeps her amused. Of course,
we know better. A bicycle pump, key-ring and an empty tube of handcream
all seem to do the trick.
- Take full advantage of cooing opportunities. On a boat in Greece Isabella
had great fun being passed around passengers while we indulged in a
beer!
 Always
use a backpack as a nappy bag. More practical than an over-the-shoulder.
- Baby backpacks, or a papoose/sling when they are smaller, are the
best inventions for those on the move (read reviews of back carrriers
here).
- If you have space a robust mountain-buggy goes anywhere and everywhere
and makes a great sleeping place. At a Fete in a French village on Saturday
Isabella slept soundly as the brass band blasted out numerous samba
numbers.
- Air Hostesses are more than happy to let your baby toddle along the
gangway … they love to coo!
- Hold-on bars make great monkey-bars on the metro.
- When it's hot swimsuits are a great all-rounder.
- For cold trips, layer the bulky stuff on them for the journey.
- If you're travelling for a length of time jeans worn in cooler weather
that are now a little small becomes shorts and cosy sleep-suits with
feet turn into short-armed, short-legged ones. Lots of packing space
was saved with these adaptations on our current long-term trip!
- Most campsites have a baby bath but if not then a laundry sink or
shower with mummy or daddy suffice. When all else fails we go old-style:
boil the kettle and use a washing-up bowl.
- Camping with a baby is easy. Freedom, space and you get to sit outside
and enjoy a drink in the evening while they sleep.
- If they're prone to night waking, be sure to choose a pitch away from
other campers!
- On rainy days get all sleeping bags, quilts and cushions and let baby
jump all over. Who needs Activity Land?!
 A
Factor-50 pop-up tent (see Isabella in hers right!) is great for toddlers
as well as snoozing baby (read parents' reviews
of travel cots here)
- Swim nappies are a godsend. She can wear one all day while in and
out of the paddling pool, without fear of accidents. Read parents' reviews
of swim products here.
I have travelled alot with my daughter and one thing that always gives
me comfort is the knowledge that there is always a way. The reward for
me is seeing her experience the world first-hand without limitation.
by Alice Griffin
About Alice Griffin
 Alice
Griffin (pictured left with her husband and daughter in a French bistro!)
is a freelance writer whose passion for travel has seen her budget backpacking
across Europe, living in Japan and travelling the world solo writing for
a tourist guide. Currently on a year-long road trip around Europe with
her husband, one-year-old daughter and family dog, she believes that just
because you have a baby on board doesn't mean your spirit of adventure
must wane.
|
