Travelling (literally across the world) requires planning and also luck when you have a five-month old baby. But my husband Ryan and I managed to survive on our recent trip to Australia and Fiji. So, here are some tips for international travelling!
Seating (for baby!)
This miracle contraption is a must for any baby under nine months old! Our flights from Vancouver to Nadi, Fiji, were 10 to 12 hours, and the thought of holding Maverick for that long made me cry. So, when I was perusing my favourite group for mothers who like to travel, there I saw it—a bassinet seat. It’s a bassinet that clips into the plane so it sits in front of you in the bulkhead row. You have lots of room to play with your baby and keep bottles, etc., that you will need throughout the night. It costs a little more but it is worth it.
Timing
Flying at weird times over the international date line can cause your head to spin. I left Vancouver on Friday night and got to Fiji on Sunday; but, in reverse, I left Fiji Monday evening and landed in Vancouver on Monday afternoon. What?! It’s really important that you keep a consistent schedule for your little one, and organizing the time of your flights can really help with that. Get flights that are overnight: the baby sleeps, you sleep, and often you save on accommodation.
Preparing
Airlines are pretty good with babies. We flew with five different airlines and each one was a little different. The low-cost airlines wouldn’t let us bring our strollers to the gate, but the higher-quality ones like Fiji and Qantas did. So be prepared that you won’t always be able to take the things you want or need … but—you will always be allowed to take anything to feed or change your baby. Make sure you prepare bottles or bring a pump (it’s allowed!). Make sure you have a good diaper bag: I have a No Reception Club bag and it is the best bag, which seems to be like Mary Poppins with my never-ending bag of baby goodies, and you’ll be able to take a little satchel to the bathroom, to change your baby, or pull out your cooler bag of bottles to put in the airline fridge. When you’re tired and delayed and travelling for long periods of time, having everything prepared will save you and your marriage!
Bouncing
Maverick wasn’t doing much when we went to Australia, and being in a bassinet seat or car seat for hours on end, he wanted to bounce or stand. We travelled with a pop-out bouncer and it was a life saver! I highly recommend (for whatever age group you are travelling with) that you bring something. Every (yes, every) airline allows three infant items. We had a car seat that clips into our stroller and the bouncer (cot). It may seem bulky and awkward, but when your baby is bored, it will be worth it.
Entertaining
Possibly a contentious topic, but Maverick loves Hey Bear. It’s literally a YouTube channel that features dancing fruit and vegetables. Download offline to your devices (you’ll thank me!).
Enjoying
Sometimes you just have to laugh, because delays happen and s@#t (literally) happens. Just enjoy each moment.
It wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine, travelling. There were meltdowns and fights and frustration. But, we survived six weeks in two different countries and didn’t kill each other.
