So many people say that you can never travel again once you have kids. As someone who is expecting a little one in July, I refuse to believe that. I know several people who have continued to travel both domestically and internationally with their children, and have raved about how rewarding it can be. I am determined to continue to do what I love, just as a family. And I look forward to her getting older when she can start to remember and benefit from seeing the world. But I know that there will be some changes in the way we travel, so here are some tips that I have compiled from the many parents who have continued to travel with their kids. (You can find this information, and everything else you need to plan your trip in my book here!)
Tip 1. Slow down.
I have seen so many frustrated families exhausted from rushing and pushing to try to see everything. You can always spot these families because they are yelling at each other. Without kids in tow it’s easier to backpack through Europe, moving from place to place pretty rapidly. You may have been able to spend all day on your feet going to museums and exploring the city. But with kids, you have to slow down. Spending more time in one place gives you and your child more time to adjust and enjoy your experience. When planning your itinerary, plan for only one must see site per day and leave some days wide open.
Tip 2. Pick laid back destinations.
A big city can be overwhelming, expensive, and exhausting. As a parent you may feel disappointed that you aren’t able to see all of the things that you want to see. Especially on your first time traveling with your child, choose a lower stress destination. For example, if Paris has been on your list for a long time and you’d be really disappointed if you can’t see all of the museums, but you only have a week and your toddler is going through a rough patch, save the City of Lights for another time. Instead go hang out in Nice, France for the week and play on the beach.
Tip 3. Rent an RV or take a cruise.
Having one place to go to bed each night helps with routines and comfort, making faster travel more doable. With an RV you can spread out your stuff, cook together, and stop whenever you need to. With a cruise, food and entertainment are included on the ship and stops are for shorter windows of time.
Tip 4. Start young.
As with most things, early exposure helps your child adapt to new environments and routines. If you wait to travel with your child until he/she is older you may get more pushback, especially when it comes to routines.
Children are distracting! If you are planning an international trip, you should use this time-based checklist to make sure you don't forget to do anything.
Tip 5. Start at home.
If you implement some of the new routines at home, you can build excitement and encourage learning around the trip. Talk about the trip with your child. Look at pictures, watch videos, and read books about the destination(s). Learn a few vocabulary words. Try some of the foods you’ll find during your travels. Involve your child in the planning process.
Tip 6. Be prepared but flexible.
As a parent you know that all of your plans might go out the window at any moment. Before leaving home prepare a list of all of the things you want to do/see on your trip and include hours of operation. If you know you want to take a ferry, do your research at home so you know how many times it leaves each day. Always talk with your child ahead of time to prepare him/her for what’s to come.
Tip 7. Set routines.
Routines are important for most kids. Think about your routines at home. Which of those can stay the same and which will need to change during your trip? For any changes, think about how can you prepare your child. You may be able to start implementing some of the routines before you leave, but even if you can’t, be open and honest about what changes to expect and make them sound fun and exciting.
Tip 8. Bring a comfort item.
Sometimes a small comfort item is enough to calm a child. It can be a connection to home that helps him/her feel grounded. A stuffed animal, a favorite video series on your phone, or a book could help prevent and manage breakdowns.
Tip 9. Save money.
Take full advantage of travel rewards credit cards to get free or discounted flights.
Strollers and safety seats are not considered luggage and are free to check with most airlines.
If your little one is younger than two, decide if you want him/her to ride in your lap during flights for a lower cost, instead of paying for a seat (more about lap baby policies in tip number 16).
Rent an apartment, book a home exchange, or stay at an agriturismo instead of living in a hotel. If you want to book an apartment, try VRBO, HomeAway, and Airbnb to make searching simple. VRBO and HomeAway have two separate websites but are owned by the same company, so the websites look almost identical. When searching on any of these sites, use the filters to make sure you get what you need. On both VRBO and HomeAway you can search by “kid friendly” or “children welcome”. Also, make sure to filter for having access to a washing machine so you can do all of the laundry that you need with your little ones. A dishwasher would also be nice to have for a family. On Airbnb you must specify that you want the entire home during your search so that the site doesn’t just show you rooms.
Save money on food by cooking in your apartment kitchen, eating street food, and picnicking. Stock up on snacks at the grocery store, so you always have something ready to go.
Save even more money by finding free, kid friendly things to do, especially active things like swimming or parks. Also, research discounts and free entries for kids at any museums.
Tip 10. Make friends.
Social interactions are crucial for kids. Go out of your way to make connections with other kids during your trip. Play parks, cooking classes, bed & breakfasts, and kid friendly tours are great ways to expose your child to new people.
Tip 11. Have purpose.
Maybe you want to instill a sense of adventure in your child. Talk it up, and make him/her feel proud and adventurous for trying new things, like food. Maybe you want to expose your child to new cultures and people. Set up opportunities to engage with other kids and adults during your trip. (Accommodations is a great way to do this.)
Tip 12. Survive the flight.
Flying with a baby or a small child is a top concern for parents. Here are some tips that can help you and your child survive the flight:
Board early to secure overhead space and to get your little one(s) situated.
Feed your baby during takeoff and landing to prevent blocked ear pain. For toddlers, try a sucker (lollipop).
Keep an extra set of clothes for you and your child accessible in your carry-on for any accidents.
Bring snacks and entertainment.
If your child is old enough to appreciate games and videos on a phone or iPad, download as much as you can ahead of time, have your devices fully charged, and bring a way to charge during the flight. When you select your seat online, you can see if your plane has power at the seats or you can check for power on Seat Guru. A flight is not the time to be strict about screen time.
Bring special treats that your child doesn’t normally get.
Bring a few “presents” for backup. Just wrap up a couple of your child’s favorite toys from home to present at opportune moments.
Bring earplugs for you and your neighbors if it makes you feel better. However, most people will be listening to headphones or have their own earplugs anyway.
Get up and move around as often as you need to, as long as the seatbelt light is off. (This is easiest to do if you are seated at the back of the plane.)
Make friends with the flight attendants.
Book a bulkhead seat and a bassinet for a baby, or the back of the plane near the bathrooms for a toddler.
Bring a pillow for your child to sit on and to help sleep comfortably.
Ask to introduce your toddler to the pilot. Most pilots will welcome your little one into the cockpit before the flight. Ask before boarding.
Parents can take turns. I know a family with two kids who has one parent sit with the kids while the other sits separately, switching midway through the flight.
Don’t stress. If your child cries, your child cries. No amount of ugly looks from rude passengers will change that. If you’re worried about what those around you are thinking, be assured that most people are actually really kind and understanding.
Tip 13. Expect jetlag.
Jetlag is especially inevitable with children - babies in particular.. Try a slow transition to a new time zone before even leaving home, but be prepared to just go with the flow.
Tip 14. Travel light.
I’m a big proponent of packing a carry-on only, especially with kids. If your child is old enough for a little bag, have him/her carry personal belongings, but be prepared to have to carry it yourself if there is a meltdown. For a baby keep things as simple as possible. Staying in an apartment with a washer/dryer means you can pack fewer clothes. Diapers can be purchased abroad.
Did you know that you can rent baby gear like strollers, car seats, high chairs, and even beach toys during your travels? No matter where you are traveling you can usually find equipment rentals and most will even deliver to you at your hotel. A couple of larger online rental companies in the US include Babierge and Babies Getaway. Search online for baby gear rentals wherever you travel.
Packing only what you can carry is important. However, it may be helpful for your family to check your bags for your flight. By checking your bags you’ll have less to carry and keep track of at the airport. A baby wrap instead of a stroller can also help keep your hands free, make it easier to get through security and use the public bathroom.
Tip 15. Be safe.
Travel insurance is smart when traveling with kids. It’s great not only for medical reasons, but in case you need to cancel your trip at the last minute. If trip cancellation is a possibility I would recommend making sure you have travel insurance that covers cancellations for any reason. Most policies don’t, but Travel Guard does. You get 50% reimbursement for cancellations for any reason up to 48 hours before your trip.
Travel is also an important time to make sure your child knows the basics of safety. Be prepared in case someone gets lost. Your child should know your full names and contact information, how to deal with strangers, and the name of the hotel. You can always put contact information on a card and place it in your child’s pocket.
Vaccinations should be up to date before leaving the country. If not, you could put not only your child at risk, but also everyone he/she is exposed to.
Tip 16. Know rules and regulations.
Read your airline’s policies before booking any flights with children. Also, I recommend that you call to make the bookings over the phone so that you can make sure that you get placed in appropriate seats and have everything you need. Here are some basic policies that you should be aware of.
AIRLINES
Most airlines label under two years old as an ‘infant’, and from ages 2-11 (sometimes up to 16) as a ‘child’ depending on the airline.
Even newborns need a passport to fly internationally. To obtain one, you will need a state records birth certificate (not the commemorative hospital version), passport photos, and both parents with photo IDs present for the appointment at the passport office. You can fill out your DS-11 form online at home beforehand. Also, if the newbie will be less than 7-14 days old during travel, many airlines’ policies require a physician’s note.
Decide who will sit where on the plane. If your baby is under two years old you may hold him/her in your lap. Every airline charges differently, but most U.S. airlines allow free ‘lap baby’ tickets when flying domestically. When flying internationally you will be charged 10% or more of an adult fare for the lap baby (plus taxes and fees). If you plan to hold your infant for the entire flight as a lap baby you must bring a birth certificate to the check-in counter when you arrive at the airport to prove that he/she is under 2 years old. A lap baby has a no personal baggage allowance.
If you want to purchase a seat for an infant (under two ), it’s sometimes offered at a discounted cost. About half of all airlines charge a full adult fare while the other half charges a percentage of the adult fare, usually 75% plus taxes and fees. If you purchase a seat for your infant make sure that you have the correct FAA approved restraining device so you’re not the next star of another viral video of a family getting kicked off a flight! For safety most airlines require that the restraining device be placed in the window seat.
In addition, some airlines offer bassinets. On Delta, ‘skycots’ are free to use on bulkhead seats. Though from what I’ve seen online they can be hard to guarantee. You must request one at Reservations ahead of time and again during check-in at the airport. Only two bassinets are stored per aircraft so availability is not guaranteed.
The baggage allowance for a baby with a purchased seat varies by airline, but as an example, Delta’s policies allow one checked bag up to 20 lbs with maximum dimensions of 45 inches (length + width + height), plus one checked, fully collapsible stroller. (I recommend getting a cover for any checked stroller or car seat so it doesn’t get destroyed.)
If your baby has a birthday and turns two during your trip, you will need to purchase a seat at a child fare ticket for the return flight.
TSA
In the United States, any child 13 years or older must follow TSA’s standard screening procedures. Children 12 years old or younger can leave shoes on, wear light jackets and headwear, and won’t be separated from the adult. Infants and young children will need to be carried through the metal detector. Slings are okay, but may require some extra screening. Inform the TSA officers ahead of time if your child has a medical condition or disability that needs to be taken into consideration during screening.
Formula, breast milk, and juice may exceed the 3.4 oz limit. To bring these items through security, inform the TSA officer and separate the liquids from the rest of your items before placing them through the X-ray machine. Ice packs for keeping breast milk and formula are also allowed, as are teethers and baby food. However, even though they are allowed, the TSA agent may require special inspections on these items. Additionally if you have equipment that does not fit through the X-ray machine, you will need to wait for someone to inspect it manually.
I'm looking forward to traveling with my little one. What tips would you add to this list?