“You’re going to Vietnam with an eight-month-old – what are you thinking?”
That was the response I got from most of my friends when I told them we were jetting off on the 14-hour-flight to Ho Chi Minh.
I like to think I’m adventurous. I’m one of the women you’ve seen on a plane with a baby strapped to her front, carrying several bags and a pram.
If you were on my recent flight to Miami, you would have spotted me chasing my son down the aisles. Fellow passengers might have wondered how I entertain a child for the eternity of a long-haul trip.
My son, a walking, babbling 16-month-old, has a passport more impressive than a gap-year student. He’s totted up 16 flights to five countries over three continents.
Before you assume I’m a woman of leisure, know that most of these trips were campaigns for my travel blog Wanderlust Chloe.
I had been a full-time travel blogger for eight years before having my son. He was 10 weeks old when we flew to Spain. I was concerned that having a baby would reduce travel opportunities, which perhaps spurred my determination to get back into the swing of things as soon as my son was old enough.
Juggling being a working and travelling mum requires patience, planning and flexibility. Forget watching a blockbuster while knocking back a Bloody Mary – these days I create eight hours of baby entertainment while conquering jet lag.
There have been huge highs among the few lows. We spent three days sailing through the emerald waters of Halong Bay in Vietnam – a bucket-list destination for me, and one I was so excited to share with my son.
Vietnamese people seemed to adore babies. One of my funniest memories is being fitted for clothing in the tailoring district of Hoi An while a member of staff fed my son a banana.
Miraculously, he dealt with the 30°C heat better than I did. I had worried about elements such as this a lot before travelling, and now I wish I hadn’t.
At the stage when other most other mums were blending purees for their child, I weaned my son via his first vermicelli noodles. It’s easier to expand a culinary repertoire when the usual choices aren’t available.
Follow in my footsteps and you’ll be swapping Rice Krispies for sticky rice in no time.
When travelling with a baby, the hardest days are getting from A to B on long or complicated journeys.
Most parenting books insist on establishing a routine, and I agree. But, when you travel, the whole family learns to be flexible.
Naptime might pass as you grapple with an overstimulated child. Their diet may temporarily feature more sugar than usual. But letting go of rigidity offers wonderful surprises.
Released from intense routines, we have explored Vietnam’s caves at daybreak, sampled delicacies in Thai markets at dusk and even watched a rocket launch in the USA.
Our most recent adventures were in the Florida Keys. Bleary eyed and jetlagged, I watched our son totter outside pointing at the sunrise. That’s one bonus of travelling with a toddler – you see a lot more dawns.
The glow illuminated his face. He was mesmerised by the colours of the Keys, with fish swimming through glittering water and swooping seabirds overhead. It certainly beat our usual London wake ups. Moments like these, witnessing the world through a child’s eyes, make you appreciate the experience more.
The toughest part? The flights. However, I’ve found ways to ease the stress.
Pack efficiently, placing key items in easy-to-grab locations. If you’re holding a baby, you can’t rummage for passports, snacks or nappies. Don’t forget a change of clothes for everyone. A changing bag with multiple pockets ensures you can easily find nappies, wipes, Calpol, clothes and snacks.
I buy a few new toys and activities before trips. Stickers were a big hit during our recent flight to Miami. Within minutes there were farmyard animals stuck to the windows, walls and all over me. They’re removable, so an ideal mess-free activity.
For toddlers, busy boards are great. These colourful packs include counting games, felt stickers and buckles. For the first year, we loved the colourful spinners that suction onto anything.
We’re all wary of screen time, but a little on a travel day goes a long way to retaining your calm. Remember to download videos for offline playing, and get a pair of kids volume-control headphones. They’ll be able to listen to their favourite music, podcast or video in comfort and safety.
Pick seats carefully. With small babies, I would suggest booking a bassinet. I soon learned my son didn’t want to sleep there, but it was great for storage and extra space is a blessing. With toddlers, a middle row is easier; armrests lift up and they can lie across two seats (remember, they should be in a position that allows them to wear a seatbelt).
If you have young children, you’ll be familiar with the numerous brands of rice cakes and vegetable-based snacks. Well, stock up. I swear my son can hear the packaging rustle miles away. You’ll also find restrictions on liquids (particularly milk) are relaxed when travelling with babies.
One of the most important things I’ve learned is that I’m not alone. I never realised there was such a fun tribe of parents travelling with children until we joined.
I got chatting to a fellow toddler mum in Miami airport. We kept meeting as our sons did laps around the gate. We bonded over sleep deprivation, activities and strategies to get through the flight.
Chance connections bring solidarity during journeys and occasional friendships afterwards.
Parenting is hard, but that’s the case wherever you are. Providing new experiences can shape children’s characters, confidence and enhance development. How wonderful to be able to encourage a curious and open attitude to the world. Plus, holidays allow you, as parents, to live some of your dreams.
We fly to Nova Scotia in Canada this week. The period before children go to school is an amazing time to travel. It is free from date restrictions, high prices and crowds.
So, why not book that trip? With every journey, our assurance has grown, and we cherish expanding our horizons together.