Travel Tips with Under Twos

Written by Boom Buddy mum, Weronika, from The Allan Family

Weronika, Ben and little Maeve have been on their fair share of adventures and have some top tips to share to empower other families to do the same.

Summer holidays. While many parents may already be veterans when it comes to travelling with children of any age, for some moms and dads, this will be the first time they undertake the mission of taking their little ones abroad. If you are one of them, I am here to tell you - it is doable and doesn’t have to be that stressful. As the parents of a 2-year-old girl, my husband and I have travelled with her to European countries since she was 6 weeks old and took her to Morocco when she was 10 months old.

Spoiler alert: everyone survived. And as much as I am sure that there are moms out there who have travelled with their babies way more than me, I’d like to think I’ve got a good hang of it. So here are some of my tips on how to do that.

Babywearing

Babywearing can be life-saving, especially when travelling to crowded places with uneven pathways, or if planning hikes, visits to busy cities, and travels to hotter or colder climates. When surroundings seem busy and overwhelming, having your baby close adds extra feelings of safety, whilst letting you have your hands free to roam! And in extreme weather (and in comparison to England, many climates may seem extreme), it can help regulate your baby’s body temperature. Also, in a carrier, your baby needs less layers, which means less packing for you. On top of that, it is very convenient, can be done anywhere, and slings and carriers take way less space than a buggy. Make sure to choose a carrier from a recognisable brand and read tips on safe babywearing.

Read about the food

And it’s not just about the cuisine. Make sure you find out about hygiene standards, water safety and even if it is safe to eat raw fruit and vegetables – especially if your little one is crazy about berries. In some countries, the risk of foodborne illness is much higher and it is good to know your options before traveling so you know what snacks to pack for your little one. I also recommend researching potential lunch/dinner spots to plan the meals that involve your baby.

Plan for the weather

Scared of the heat? Plan your outings for the mornings and late afternoons, utilising the midday for lunch and naps. If you are breastfeeding, make sure you stay properly hydrated. Choose shady areas wherever you can, make frequent breaks if necessary and check on your baby to make sure they are not overheating. Pick hydrating snacks like juicy fruits (watermelons, coconuts, etc.). If you are babywearing, do little breaks when you or the baby are too hot.

But more than anything, have fun! If you are travelling with a partner, share the load wherever you can so that you can get the most out of the trip too. And remember: you don’t need to plan everything around your baby’s schedule (unless you’d like to!): eating, napping and playing can all be a part of the outing!