Travelling in general can be daunting, travelling with babies? Let's just use the word challenging for now, in place of more appropriate profanities.
It's just another task many mothers are not thrilled about to start with, no matter how many years of parenting experience.
Founder of Ubuntu Baba, Shannon McLaughlin, had a chat with other moms to hear what their advice is when it comes to travelling with kids and how baby wearing has helped in achieving more seamless travel.
What better way to get advice than to hear it from moms themselves?
Must read: Passengers cause more accidents than mobile phones and other fascinating driver facts
Here's what the mom's had to say:
"Travel as light as possible. You can use your baby carrier to hold all your travel documents so you can whip them out as needed, without having to scratch in your bag." – Emma Davies
"At the check-in, you can (and should!) ask for a better seat as a breastfeeding mom, and you can ask for assistance with luggage too. You are also allowed to use a pushchair up until the plane." – Kat Konczak-Flanigan
"If travelling locally, pack light. You’re already schlepping your bag plus your baby’s, there’s no need for extra stuff. Just your baby carrier! Try to book the aisle seat right at the back of the plane. The changing table is in that toilet, and if your baby starts stirring, it’s easy to get up and bounce/settle at the back of the plane. If your baby is asleep during take-off, they’ll ask you to take baby out of your carrier - just unclip and move the straps. Then you can try and keep your baby sleeping in the upright position." – Claire Ross
"Baby ears tend to hurt the most during descent – so get them to suck. As soon as your ears start, get them sucking a dummy, your boob or a bottle. I don’t know if it’s the pressure, but be prepared for some serious poop action - either during the flight or once you’re waiting to get off. Pack spare clothes for babe in your hand luggage and for you too. Pack a small towel to place on your lap too. If your babe isn’t in cloth, then double up on the nappy." – Samantha Capewell
"Use a backpack as a diaper bag. Take a window seat, this will make breastfeeding and resting your arm easier. Change baby’s diaper before the flight. Put some toys in the diaper bag to keep baby busy, mine usually sleeps right through because the white noise of the plane helps." – Marusckha Scholtz
Compiled for Parent24 by Ubuntu Baba
Chat back:
Share your story with us, and we could publish your mail. Anonymous contributions are welcome.