How to travel abroad with a baby and not lose your mind

Travelling with baby doesn’t have to be tricky – top tips to help you stay sane.

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

There’s no point in sugar coating the facts. When baby makes three, a whole lot of things suddenly become more complicated – and travelling is one of them.

You can wave bye-bye to the leisurely stroll through duty free, a civilised lunch and grown-up conversation. Instead, you can say hello to leaky nappies and arguments over who failed to pack Mrs Snuggles the bedtime bunny.

But it doesn’t have to be all tears and tantrums (yours or baby’s). Here are our top travel tips to help make your first family holiday memorable for all the right reasons.

Choose a realistic destination

Of course you want to go to Bali again this year, and of course you simply must sign up for that wine tasting tour in South Africa. But unless you have an entourage of nannies, it’s unlikely to happen. Babies and aeroplanes aren’t natural companions, so it might be best to opt for a holiday hotspot with a direct flight – the shorter the better.

You’ll also be helping yourself if the holiday you choose is family friendly. It might not be your first choice, but there’s a reason why all-inclusive package holidays exist, and hotels aimed at families are more likely to have the facilities you need, such as a babysitting service or a kids’ pool.

Have the right documents 

Babies need passports and if you need a visa for your destination, the chances are your baby will need one too. You should also make sure your travel insurance extends to include your newest family member.

If you have a different surname to your baby, it’s a good idea to take proof that you’re their parent – your child’s birth certificate, for example.

Prepare for delays 

Delays of some sort are inevitable, so pack appropriately. You can never have enough nappies, wet wipes, muslins or food.

The good news is that food and liquid restrictions don’t apply to baby food or baby milk. You can take formula, soya and cow’s milk, sterilised water and baby food in your hand luggage. While there is no legal limit to how much you can take, it’s a good idea to check with the airport you’re flying from first.

You can also take expressed breast milk in hand luggage, but individual containers can’t be any bigger than two litres. The only thing you can’t take is frozen breast milk.

Have what you need to hand

Toys, dummies and a handheld fan are essentials for the plane journey. To do everyone a favour, have them to hand in a bag that fits under the seat because nobody needs you getting up and opening the overhead locker every five minutes.

Invest in a baby carrier 

Buggies are great and airlines are usually very accommodating, so you shouldn’t have any trouble taking yours along for the ride. But a good baby carrier makes travelling and sightseeing easier, leaving hands free to carry luggage and take holiday snaps. A carrier has the added bonus of making mealtimes simpler – for a start, you’ll be able to use both a knife and a fork rather than have one hand rocking a stroller. Look for a carrier with a cross-back, which is likely to be more comfortable if you’re using it for long periods.

Expect the unexpected

Don’t assume routines will stick even if you’re lucky enough to have a textbook baby. With that in mind, remember: travelling is exhausting for pretty much everyone, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Don’t sweat the small stuff like a missed nap or grizzly baby – it happens, and most other passengers won’t even notice a baby crying over all the engine noise.

Make bedtime peaceful

For many parents, a calm and peaceful bedtime is like the Holy Grail – mythical and highly sought. To make new cots seem familiar, bring your own cot sheets and any night-time comforters. If your baby can only sleep in the dark, you can buy travel blackout blinds that stick to windows with suction cups. If it sounds like overkill, remember – there’s a reason why sleep deprivation is a form of torture.

Don’t forget to treat yourself

Your first time away as a family will always have an element of trial and error as you discover what works for you. So, sit back, relax and don’t feel guilty about finally finishing that book you started six months ago – after all, it’s your holiday too.  

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

MyWalletHero, Fool and The Motley Fool are all trading names of The Motley Fool Ltd. The Motley Fool Ltd is an appointed representative of Richdale Brokers & Financial Services Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the FCA, and we are permitted in this capacity to act as a credit-broker, not a lender, for consumer credit products (our FRN is 422737). The Motley Fool Ltd does not have permissions for, and does not advise on, investment products and services, but may provide information on investment products and services.

The Motley Fool receives compensation from some advertisers who provide products and services that may be covered by our editorial team. It’s one way we make money. But know that our editorial integrity and transparency matters most and our ratings aren’t influenced by compensation. The statements above are The Motley Fool’s alone and have not been provided or endorsed by bank advertisers. The Motley Fool has recommended shares in Lloyds, Tesco and Barclays.

More on Travel

Investing Articles

Rolls-Royce shares are nudging higher. Should I buy now?

With Rolls Royce shares edging above 120p this week, is the worst behind it? Dylan Hood investigates the long-term potential…

Read more »

Personal Finance

Lockdown 2: are flights cancelled?

Find out what the lockdown 2 restrictions that come into force on Thursday 5 November mean for travellers, including whether…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Forget easyJet’s share price. I’d buy these stocks instead

Easyjet's share price has fallen more 50% in 2020 due to coronavirus disruptions. Is now the time to buy the…

Read more »

Personal Finance

10 must-know travel blogs to inspire your next holiday

Can’t wait to get away when this crisis is over? Check out these 10 must-know travel blogs for ideas and…

Read more »

Personal Finance

Careers for the nomadic: top jobs that involve travel abroad

If the thought of broadening your horizons and traversing hills and valleys in search of adventure during your lunch break…

Read more »

Travel

How to travel on a budget

Planning on travelling but do not want to spend a fortune? Here are our top tips on how to travel…

Read more »

Personal Finance

5 things to look out for before booking a budget hotel

Here a few signs that should tell you that a budget hotel is not worth taking a chance on.

Read more »

Personal Finance

Best eco-friendly hotels in the world

Thanks to the Greta Thunbergs of this world, we’re all just a little more aware of our environment and the…

Read more »