Travel Tips With A Baby or Toddler We Learned On Our Japan Trip
*Note: I’m aware that these are uncertain times limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While I want to discuss a frequently asked question, I don’t expect or encourage you to go out and travel immediately. All travel restrictions are individually enforced so be sure to read up on recent restrictions or closures, practice safety measures, and travel at your own risks if you choose to travel during these times.
Before Evelyn’s first birthday, she’d been on a handful of flights, flew over 13 hours to Japan, been in many long car trips, gone backpacking, and so much more! Over a year and a half of traveling with a baby/toddler, I can say that it is hands-down worth it! And despite some hiccups, everything always turned out fine. There is definitely a whole new level of difficulty when traveling, flying, or driving with a baby vs. not having a baby, and of course it is difficult and has its cons, but having a relaxed attitude and ‘what ever happens happens’ mentality has really helped out!
Nothing lasts forever, no flight, no crying spell, no jet lag, and even the ability to travel with your kids. So I like to say to do it while you can! Of course, if you are the kind of person that would totally get freaked or exhausted or generally not enjoy yourself, then I am not saying to force yourself to do it. But, I do have some tips that might make the trip easier.
Get the bassinet on long flights or an aisle seat at the front of the plane on shorter flights
I mean you can realistically survive any seat on a short flight, although an aisle is super preferable for getting up to walk or change the baby. Sometimes I also check and see if there are entire rows empty towards the back and I just use the entire row to my advantage. On most international flights, there are baby bassinets that fasten to the bulkheads. Unfortunately you can’t reserve or book them, but you can call ahead and put in a request. Then show up early since they are assigned first come first serve.
We didn’t get the bassinet on the way to Japan because of our seat location, and she just slept on my lap the whole 13 hours. But we got in on the flight home and I had my arms to myself!
Show up early & Board Priority
We didn’t even know this was a thing until after our Japan trip, but some flights will let one or two adults and the children 6 years or younger board first before anyone else is allowed on. Usually it is also with people who have difficulties, special needs, or disabilities. So next time you are booking a flight, look into Family Pre-boarding policies or Early Boarding policies.
This was an awesome feature to learn about when I was flying alone with Evelyn because I was able to take my time putting my luggage in the overhead bins, getting settled, and making sure Evelyn was comfortable and ready. The downside though, now you have to sit there with a toddler until everyone else is loaded onto the plan. The same also goes for security lines! Not always, but some security lines will have special family lines (and they may get you through faster).
When can a baby safely travel?
Each airline is different, so you will want to read into your specific airline’s requirements. Some will require an infant to be at least 2 days old, others at least 2 weeks old. Also make sure to check with your pediatrician and get the all clear for travel. Many doctors will recommend you wait until an infants immune system is more developed before flying.
Take as little baby gear as possible and/or rent the equipment
The lighter you travel, the easier it is for you! Some rental services, for cars, Airbnbs, and hotels, may have some infant equipment you may need as well! Always call ahead to your hotel/Airbnb and see if they can supply a pack-n-play or infant sleeper. If you are renting a car, check to see if they will also supply a rental car seat.
Not renting a car? Take the train
I will always recommend public transportation over unsafe situations, such as a child not in a car seat. We took almost every mode of public transportation that was available to us! The subway, the bullet train, busses, and so much more! I envy Japan’s public transportation system and I wish I could just hop on the subway and be at my parent’s in 10 minutes.
Wear your baby
Instead up lugging around a stroller into the airport, I suggest you wear your baby, if possible! Charlie and I both wore carriers and would switch throughout the day. Most of the time I would end up wearing her to nurse though. You can wear layers or nursing clothing and nurse right in your carrier! Being able to do that made things so much easier and we could keep on with our schedule, instead of having to find a nursing station (which are readily available in Japan if you prefer the comfort of a closure), or stopping to nurse in general.
Although most advise against this, it was so much easier to just nurse her to sleep while in the wrap and it helped keep her nap schedule. There are so many dos or don’t dos out there for parents, so make sure to do your research, follow your gut, and do what is best for you!
Despite wearing Evelyn everywhere and walking for almost 12 miles a day, we were not sore or any more tired that we would have been if we pushed her in a stroller. This also makes it easier for indoor locations where you have to drop off a stroller and then carry your child. I hope I saved your baggage space and your arms with this tip!
Pack light
Similarly to bringing as little baby gear as possible, pack as light as you can in your own luggage! We each had a luggage (3), the diaper bag, I had my day bag, and Charlie brought his backpack to house our electronics and to bring home souvenirs. We went for a total of 3 weeks, and halfway through I realized that I probably could have packed less clothing for both myself and Evelyn. Her and I could have probably shared a luggage.
Do laundry on the road
This is the major key to packing light! If you’re only gone for a few days or a week, this may not apply. But if you are going for an extended time, call ahead to see if your Airbnb or Hotel has a laundry unit. Or, you can stay near a laundry service! Thankfully all of our homestays or hotels had laundry units, or we were within walking distance of a laundry service.
This ended up helping us out A LOT since we use cloth diapers instead of disposables.
Buy what you need when you get there (diapers)
To help save space, you can buy what you may need when you get there! Look into where you can find baby supplies or over-the-counter medicinal supplies before your trip. You can save lots of space by just buying the diapers or wipes after your arrival.
Breastfeed if you can, or pack formula for your baby during take-off and landing
Sucking or chewing helps ease ear pain caused by pressure changes and breast milk is exempt from he 3.4 ounce liquid rule if you need to bring bottles. If your child doesn’t take a bottle, then a sippy cup or pacifier works too. Chewing a cracker or cookie can help your toddler relieve ear pain.
I always kept Evelyn preoccupied until take off/landing, and nursed her during those. She, in turn, would fall asleep and stay asleep for the whole flight!
Eat dinner early
The key to eating dinner with a baby, or a toddler, is to go early. Beat the dinner rush so there are less people to disturb if you baby makes a few loud baby noises. Most of the time, we just kept her in the wrap to avoid highchairs. A lot of restaurants in Japan are quite small, but we did find that almost all of them had kid plates, cups, and utensils!
Know when to call it
Baby isn’t happy, parents aren’t happy, it’s okay to go back to the hotel or Airbnb until everyone is relaxed and ready again. In fact, I recommend keeping your plans open enough for moments like this. I wouldn’t jam pack your schedules, but make sure there is plenty of down time or time in between big events so everyone can cool down.
Get a noise machine app on your phone
If you use a noise machine, leave it at home. There are so many apps out there that can be used instead! I wish we would have utilized this more while we were abroad! But at the time, we were worried she would become attached to a noise machine and require it to fall asleep.
Download movies/tv shows, or get baby games apps for your phone or tablet
If you are anti-screen, then this isn’t for you. But we love to pull out the occasional game on my phone to keep her quiet on a plane or train. No one wants to sit in some form of transportation with a screaming baby, and that is how we personally would quiet her down to distract her (if breastfeeding wasn’t the answer or if she was tired of the few toys we did bring).
But also, trash can be toys too. We always tried to exhaust all options before pulling out the phone! When I was pregnant, I did a lot of reading into un-schooling and using nature for toys instead of store bought toys, so I am a firm believer in using your resources at hand for sensory development, before resorting to a hidden toy or electronic device.
Babies need passports too!
Make sure you start this process way ahead of time if you are going abroad, no one likes to rush travel documents and go through the stress wondering if it will make it in time.
Have travel insurance and know where to find the local doctor/emergency room
You will never know when something small, or big, might happen. We bought travel insurance just in case we had this emergency, you can purchase it when you buy your plane ticket. If we had to use it, we would have been easily reimbursed for the expenses abroad.
Gate check strollers and car seats
If you do have to pack these items, you can take them all the way to the gate and they will check them for you for free! Sometimes you will need a tag, which you can acquire from an agent at the gate counter. If you do want to bring both, I highly recommend the car seats that attach right to the stroller! It will make things so much easier.
Master changing the diaper anywhere
I talked about this in my other travel video, but it’s true! We have changed Evelyn’s diaper in the middle of the woods backpacking, on the side of walkways in Japan, in airplane rows we had to ourselves, and so many other places. It makes things so much easier and quicker to just do it really quickly wherever you are, instead of having to find a station.
Thankfully, Japan had nursing stations, changing stations, and bathrooms on almost any corner. They also had little baby seats in most bathrooms, so you had a place to buckle your baby while you use the restroom! But I know The States are not as family friendly in many places, so it’s easier just to practice being able to do it anywhere.
Baby led weaning was a life saver!
If you are researching child development and what babies should start eating when, I highly recommend Baby Led Weaning! This is what we did with Evelyn, and we will be doing it with future kids as well! She had met all of the Baby Led Weaning requirements while we were on our trip, so all we had to do was appropriately cut up the food on our very own plates for her to eat. We didn’t have to pack or buy any baby food and it saved so much space.
Ignore others
Sometimes you can try EVERYTHING on this list and your child still may have a screaming fit. The best thing you can do is to not worry about concerning yourself with the others on the plane. Take care of yourself and your child.
Children are humans with feelings too and just like you can’t tell your best friend or significant other to ‘just be happy’, sometimes kids and toddlers need to just be sad or uncomfortable. But the important this is to focus on your child and your comfort, because you can’t please everyone and babies will be babies.