As I write this, I’m looking out the window of my spacious suite at the gorgeous Rockwater Secret Cove Resort on the Sunshine Coast of BC on a beautiful, sunny day…while my baby naps. This is just one of the concessions a jet-setting parent has to make while travelling with baby. To keep him healthy and happy (and sleeping through the night), it’s important to respect his rhythm and try to maintain his routine as much as possible…or when possible. I figured this one out on our last trip, but there are still times when I have to look up the answers. And though, as a working journalist, I'm a good researcher, there are two family travel guides that make finding answers easy.
The Rough Guide to Travel with Babies and Young Children is so thorough as to be almost tedious. We can do without obvious tips like “If you’re heading for cold weather, bring lots of layers…” And some checklists have you packing everything but the kitchen sink. However I love the section on travelling as a single parent (which I’m doing on this trip). And those with special needs kids (everything from allergies to disabilities) will also appreciate the section on this.
Lonely Planet’s Travel with Children also covers trip planning and family travel considerations, though not in as much depth. Instead, it spends more of its time exploring destination options and types of holidays. Whereas Rough Guide’s destinations are summed up in a paragraph on each region’s family appeal, Lonely Planet spends a little more time delving into what different countries, cities and towns have to offer families, including where to stay, what to see and when to go. Both guides cover the logistics of different destinations, such as car seat regulations and baby food and diaper availability, as well as some other destination-specific family travel tips. (For example, if you’re going to Africa, Rough Guide warns that some safaris have age restrictions to avoid disturbing the animals. And Lonely Planet advises on breastfeeding etiquette for different cultures.)
Some other great family travel tips from Rough Guide and Lonely Planet:
- Bring a Thermos flask to warm up baby food while on the move.
- Pack baby food jars in socks to avoid breakage.
- Every time you arrive in a new place, do a quick risk assessment.
- Always carry an up-to-date photo of your child and know his height, dress them in bright clothes and note what they are wearing each day.
- Give older kids a whistle to keep everyone together.
- Avoid making time-specific plans. If you’re meeting someone or making dinner reservations, best to be vague about your ETA, stay flexible and have a contact number/email if plans change.
Baby Abroad is a collection of travel tips and tricks for jet-setters with kids, compiled by travel writer Catalina Margulis and based on her adventures with hubby Gord and baby Zach. Read her weekly reviews of innovative travel products, hot hotels, and fabulous family-friendly destinations, peppered with insights from her own journeys.
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