Advice from mums who have travelled with their little kids

Travel with kids luggage
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Traveling with little kids can be a wonderful and enriching experience for the whole family. In this article, we have gathered invaluable advice from mothers who have embarked on adventures with their little ones in tow. From tips on packing essentials and navigating airports to creating unforgettable memories and finding child-friendly accommodations, these experienced mums share their insights to help make your family travels smooth, enjoyable, and filled with cherished moments. 

This article is sponsored by Harvey World Travel Melrose

Advice from mums who have traveled with their little kids:

  • “With babies feed them whilst taking off and landing, have favourite books and toys, as well as a teether to help with air pressure and ear issues. Pack lots of little baby snacks too.”
  • “It was easier than we expected traveling with a baby. Carry their food, drinks, snacks, toys, extra clothes and some packets for dirt. If you are driving then plan for stops along the way and dress baby in cool clothes.”
  • “Plan activities around nap time so the baby doesn’t get overtired. Use a baby carrier or pram depending on your baby’s preference and carry a cap or sun hat. Do not use the cot at the hotel, rather take a safety pod or your own cot. We tried the hotel cot once pre-covid and was dirty plus no bassinet. If you are unfamiliar, practice taking baby in the shower with one parent beforehand then it saves you from having to carry a bulky baby tub. Pack extra clothes.”

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  • “We traveled with my 1-year-old daughter to Egypt and Turkey. On the plane feed the baby when taking off and landing. Invest in a Hipparoo baby carrier and it will make the holiday so much easier.”
  • “We did a week-long road trip when my son was 1 year and still in nappies. Keep it simple. Have meds and supplements handy. Travel light. Let the kids be and let them mess. Most resorts or hotels have a laundromat as do most towns ( We always wash our laundry before heading home- keeps me sane).”
  • “Salaam I have some good Mauritius December breaks available @Ayesh84 , as for travelling with kids, been doing it with all 3 of my kids since they were little. It’s easier than you think, just go with the flow. It’s exciting for them as it is for you and they just tend to go at your pace. Book the right seats, bring a toy or 2 along, a snack, and a light blanket hopefully baby sleeps through the flight. Mauritius is a short 4-hour flight from South Africa so it should not be too bad.”
  • “2 months old and 2 years old. Back when SAA had those crazy deals back to Abu Dhabi. I survived. It was not bad at all. Of course, there has to be a bit of pre-planning. Managed to even go on the sand dunes in one of 4*4 SUVs.”
  • “Travelled with my 3 boys from young, was amazing, just be calm and go with the flow. Carry your snacks, wet wipes, and just try to organise yourself as best as you can.”
  • “Kids do not care about the beautiful scenery- try going to that kind of places during nap time so they are in the pram. Be prepared to do whatever whenever- I managed to at one point breastfeed while walking under my Burqa of course. It was the perfect thing to wear and breastfeed anywhere in comfort. Carry snacks, and toys and download videos to entertain them for at least an hour. Do not panic when they get cranky, just change plans. Go back to the hotel to re-group, always helps.”
  • “Try to reserve seats close to the front or back of the plane if flying. Easier to get in or out of the plane, you are closer to the bathrooms and cabin crew if you need assistance.”
  • “Travelled with our babies since birth. They were one and had over 7 stamps in their passport. It’s cheaper to travel when they are under two. It’s easier to travel with newborns or babies. Once they start walking it is a bit harder on the plane but snacks and toys help a lot. Book night flights where you can, so they can sleep, galore, ipad and download fav cartoons, for babies, have them suck on dummies or bottles or breastfeed for takeoff and landing this helps with ear pressure.”
  • “Pack carefully so everything is easily accessible for the babies- nappies, change of clothes etc pack in individual zip lock bags. Babywearing at the airport helps keep your arms free. Be relaxed, Do’nt stress, even if they cry it is ok, stay calm and go with the flow.”
  • “Mauritius was perfect for traveling with the kids.Take activities whether it’s on a plane or car ride. Depending on ages, colouring pages, and small toys. Keep them separate so each time you take out 1 activity they will be occupied for a while and when you take the second one out they will be renewed excitement to try something different as opposed to putting all into 1 bag, they got bored faster like that. Also, prep little tubs with different snacks: Nuts, fruit, sandwich cut into bite-size pieces. Sunscreen even for the car, try to get the window covers that go on from the outside. We had 1 which we used for all 3 of the kids.Lasted long and was very handy.”
  • “We traveled with my son before covid. His first trip was at 3 months old to Cape Town, second trip at 6 months to Mauritius, Third trip to Dubai, Fourth to Tailand then Philippines, it’s awesome building memories, getting them to explore and develop a love for travel at a young age.”
  • “We have traveled with our kids since they were born, our eldest is 3 months old. We took them on a 2 week traveling cruise. Traveling tips: extra clothes; a blanket that they love; I use to buy a small new toy for plane trips to keep them busy. Overnight flights are usually better as they eat and sleep. Best advice is to go easy on yourself and them, take it as it comes. Ziplocks help to store clean and dirty items. With older kids I usually pack Play-doh small sets and small Lego sets for daytime plane trips. Now it’s just Ipad, earphones, and snack packs.”
  • “Did a road trip with my 7-month-old recently. It was not too bad. 40-minute drive. Left home while she was asleep so she was in a good mood while we drove. Every baby is different so plan the distance depending on your baby. If they hate the car seat, just go somewhere nearby. But Go! It’s always worth it. Snacks and toys work. Nappy changing in the car was a challenge.”
  • “Been traveling with 5 kids. My last one traveled from 3 months. Never had a problem. Just enjoy and go with the flow.”
  • “Stick on toys for the flight table so they don’t keep falling. Sanitiser wipes to keep wiping fallen toys.”
  • “I took my son when he was 6 months old on holiday. I carried 2 fitted sheets instead of his own cot and I used our own bedding on vacation ( I am slightly OCD). I used the fitted sheets on the cot at the resort. I find self-catering units much better than hotels because of the space.”
  • “One was easy to travel with put them to sleep and you carry on with your trip, 2 are a handful and a lot more draining, you need to have fewer activities, more relaxed time to see to them, and chill. Not sure I would do an overseas trip with 2 kids but, with 1 it was not so bad, I would try local then overseas.”
  • “Make sure to tell them you have a baby when checking in. They will give you the seats near the front so you can make use of the bassinet… Really comes in handy if you have a baby…..They tend to sleep most of the time so the bassinet works out so perfectly and I used to change nappies in it and just throw it in the toilet bin after.”

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Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are based on the personal experiences and opinions of mothers who have traveled with their young children. While their wisdom is invaluable and offers a potential roadmap for families about to embark on similar journeys, it’s essential to recognize that every traveling experience is unique. What works for one family might differ for another. It’s crucial to approach each adventure with an open mind, adaptability, and a sense of discovery. Embrace the unpredictability, cherish the bonding moments, and create memories that last a lifetime.

Join the Conversation: We believe in the collective wisdom of our community. If you’ve traveled with your little ones and have insights, tips, or anecdotes of your own, please share them in the comments below. Your experiences might be the guiding light for another family planning their next adventure. 



 

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