Saturday, July 23, 2016
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Travelling with an Infant
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| The blogger and her sweet li'l travel buddy |
We just recently
concluded a 3-day trip in Puerto Princesa, Palawan with our 4-month old baby
when I got this message from a blog reader - “Missy, what are the tips
you can share about travelling with infant/s, especially during plane ride?”
Below are the FAQs with my answers.
When did
you decide to travel with your kid? Is there something that you would like her
to learn?
I’ve
already decided to travel with my kid/s way before their conception. I promised
myself that I will let my future children to experience the essence of life
through travelling.
I
travel with my kid for her to better appreciate the world which is way bigger
than our neighborhood. Travelling is the best way to teach children how
to get along with diverse kinds of people. The travel experiences are
opportunities for us, as parents, to teach our children the similarities and
differences that are existent in the world they live in. We can teach them
first-hand how to appreciate what they have, why not to fear differences, and
to celebrate life through various color of people they encounter and the depth
and beauty of nature. Travelling provides vast teaching opportunity for our children and there's no substitute for it.
How did
you manage your first travel with your child?
PREPARATION AND PLANNING is on top of my list. I make sure I know about the
place we are travelling to; the weather, the culture, the food, the availability
of medical aid, bank, etc. in order to manage my expectations. This way, I
would be able to bring and have necessary things handy should the need
arise. It’s always better safe than
sorry.
After
preparing and planning, I GET ORGANIZED.
I make sure I have essentials stored in easy-to-access places so I do not have
to squander so much time looking for things I (or my child) need.
Do you
want your kid to be an avid traveler like you as well when she grows up?
Definitely! In fact I wish when the time comes that
she’s grown up and we’re already gray haired, she will still be excited to tag
us (me and my husband) along when she travels.
How do you
manage to overcome the hassle that comes with travelling with infant?
Touch.
I and my husband make our baby feel secured all the time. We keep her near us, carrying
her most of the time.
Also, we talk to her before, during, and even after our
trip as if she’s a consenting adult and not a helpless 4 months old. We describe
to her the experience of riding a plane or going through a road trip. It’s like
making her feel that she is really part of the activity and some things are
expected of her. Maybe she cannot understand yet what we are telling her but we
tell her anyway. Guess what, we get rumblings in reply! Hahaha, she loves
talking! J
 |
| Father playing with our 4-month old daughter during her first boat ride. (left) Carrying my child for her to see the vast sea water during her first beach trip. (right) |
What are
your techniques or life hacks you have learned/researched to make your life
easier when traveling with your kid? Any specific tips you can give?
Keep them busy. Cuddle them. Talk to them.
I am a
breastfeeding mother and I think I have a very great advantage since I can
easily comfort my baby during flight or travel. Breastfeeding my baby during
take-off or landing can help her equalize her eardrums since she cannot do it
naturally. Since I am a healthy human pacifier, I do not worry about my baby
feeling hungry or fussy. I can easily offer my bosom and presto! She calms up
so quickly.
 |
| Our child, busy with her fingers, on her first plane ride. |
Bring
a cloth carrier or a sling. It does not take up much room in your luggage yet
it is very useful as you can keep your baby with you and still free your hands to
do some stuff.
 |
| Babywearing while travelling |
As
long as they want. As long as we can.
Don't you
think bringing your will spoil your moment as husband and wife?
Not at all. Travelling with our child actually provides
us more quality time with each other as it sets us in a good and comfortable
mood to freely discuss our plans. We are not worrying of anything because our
precious child is with us, sharing the moment.
I think when we travel with our Anak we do one of the most important parenting activities. Traveling as a
family is the best way to strengthen our relationship as husband and wife;
parents and kids. It inevitably provides a host of many teachable moments. And
since kids easily get tired
when travelling (much more infant/s), I and hubby take advantage of her nap
time to have quality time
How does
traveling with infant change your perception about traveling?
Travelling used to be so easy, smooth, and time efficient. Now, I have a
child strapped to my chest while roaming around a foreign land or conversing
with a stranger, or eating alien food.
With our little one in tow, travel has become
difficult, rough, time consuming, and uncomfortable but guess what, IT’S WAY
HAPPIER than before!!!
 |
| Happiness is written all over this photo right? |
My baby serves as great ambassador who can easily
act as magnet for strangers. I have never known that starting a conversation with
strangers whilst carrying a cute little munchkin on my lap can be this easy!
Now, I can easily ask for help anywhere and everywhere with my adorable lucky
charm.
So parents, go travel
with your kids. There’s really a BIG world out there they ought to see. Someday,
they will thank you for not containing their learnings within just 4 corners of
a room.
**********
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