5 Tips For Travelling Light With Babies and Toddlers
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
This might be a little controversial. I’ve travelled so many times with my little ones and been asked what advice would I give for travelling with babies on a plane my number one tip for what has made travelling easier is four little words: Carry. On. Luggage. Only. I know it''s not for everyone, but here''s how - and why - i think carry on only is the only way to travel with babies.
5 Tips For Travelling Light With Babies and Toddlers
This might be a little controversial. I’ve travelled so many times with my little ones and been asked what advice would I give for travelling with babies on a plane my number one tip for what has made travelling easier is four little words:
Carry. On. Luggage. Only.
I know it's not for everyone, but here's how - and why - I think carry on only is the only way to travel with babies.
There’s a few reasons for this. The first time I travelled with my first baby I took everything but the kitchen sink. By nature I’m an over-packer, over-planner, over-preparer. And while I was taking the suitcases, pram, car seat and the portacot to checked luggage – I still had to get that mountain of things to and from the airport.
But my clincher for me was the time I took my pram travelling with me, then at my destination waited at oversized luggage for nearly an hour until someone came out to tell me they’d misplaced my pram.
My pram had been put on the wrong plane.
I went one way. My pram went another.
And while thankfully we were reunited with the pram – the airline located it, flew it back and couriered it to me - it was not a pleasant way to start a holiday!
So now I only travel light. That way nothing ever leaves my side. If I can’t carry it on to the plane myself, I don’t bring it. Which is easier said than done. And maybe not for everyone. But I can’t tell you how smug I feel when I saunter off the plane – luggage in hand – and walk straight past the baggage carousels and out of the airport.
For me it’s the only way to travel. And here’s how I do it.
Know Your Limits
Every airline, and even every ticket, has different specifications about exactly what and how much you can take as carry-on luggage. Most airlines allow you some extra baggage if you’re bringing a baby on board. But it is worth checking – and double checking – to avoid any surprises and extra expenses at the gate.
For example Virgin Australia will allow you to bring an additional 7kgs of carry-on luggage if you’re travelling with a baby under the age of 2 years. Plus additional items like a pram.
That said, it’s all well and good to max out your allowed carry- on luggage, however you still need to be physically able to carry everything. So don’t overdo it. Consider your personal limits. Not just the airline limit.
Don’t Bring What You Can Buy
Unless you’re travelling overseas or to an area where it’s hard to find a well-stocked supermarket there’s no point taking up precious space and weight allowance with things you can purchase at your destination. Take what you need for the time in transit, but not for the entire holidays. Things that you might want to buy at the other end include but aren’t limited to:
- Nappies and baby wipes
- Formula
- Baby food
- Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, baby wash)
You can even hire bigger baby items at your destination such as:
- Car seat
- Portable cot
- Pram
Dress to Compress
As much as it’s tempting to pack all your baby’s cutest outfits when you’re travelling, especially if you’re visiting family to show off your new bundle of joy, it’s more important to pack outfits for both baby and yourself that don’t take up much space. Think onesies, wondersuits, and other basics for bubs. It’s also worth considering what clothing is easiest to wash and dry. That way you don’t have to pack an entire trip’s worth of changes – just plan to launder them daily. Same for yourself, plan and prepare simple outfits. And wear onto the plane the bulkier clothing items, such as boots, coats and heavier layers. That way you don't have to carry them or count them in your luggage allowance.
Carry On Your Compact Travel Pram
After my pram horror story I never actually took a pram on a plane again for fear that I would lose it. Though this happened a few years ago and there just wasn’t the options that there are now to get super compact travel prams that can be taken onto the plane as carry-on luggage. Nowadays there are some great options for compact strollers than you can not only take to the gate, but also potentially take on board the plane and fit in the overhead locker on the plane.
For example the brand new Bugaboo Ant is super light and compact! The Bugaboo Ant boasts being compact enough for most airlines carry-on luggage, but it also looks like a stylish hard suitcase when folded. It’s so compact and inconspicuous the flight crew might not even notice you’re bringing an entire pram on board!
Also Bugaboo Ant is the only pram in its size category to be not only suitable for newborns without needing any additional attachments, but also has the option of a parent facing seat. Which is absolutely incredible for a compact travel pram.
Other great options for carry on size, super compact strollers are the Babyzen Yoyo and Baby Jogger City Tour 2.
Bring a Baby Carrier
Even if you’re bringing a pram on board with you, often it’s a lot easier to get around the airport with your luggage if you don’t have to even think about carrying baby. A quality, comfortable, hands-free carrier like an Ergobaby Omni 360 or MiaMilly Hipster Plus means you can just attach baby to your front, or back, and then get going through the airport – with both hands free for carrying and towing luggage. That is another reason that the Bugaboo Ant is a great option for travelling with babies, because of the way it can be towed along like a suit case.
So it might be a controversial suggestion to not plan to take any checked luggage when travelling with your babies and toddlers, but it’s something that worked for me. It’s a great feeling getting on and off the plane knowing that everything I have is right there with me. Nothing can get lost or end up on a different plane! And I don’t have to wait at luggage carousel – let alone hanging around for ages waiting at oversized luggage for a full sized pram. Even if you plan to take a full suitcase, compact travel pram is definitely a must!
If you have any questions about travel prams, or baby carriers, feel free to get in touch with us via email, call us on (03) 9558 0100 or come into the store at Dingley Village or Ringwood.
