As a followup to the previous article on travelling with your baby, I wanted to add a few points about the all-important issue of international air travel with your baby and liquids. As you are probably all too well aware, there are now restrictions in place that say you can’t bring containers larger than 100ml with you on a plane. This, of course, poses some serious issues for parents travelling with babies as it is obviously not practical to travel with such a restriction.

Here, I want to share with our experience travelling from Australia, through Bangkok and into Europe and back again over the busy Christmas holiday period.

First, you can rest assured that the restrictions only apply to items you carry for yourself. Baby items such as water, food and medicine are excluded from the ban. This was quite clearly stated both in the little brochure that you can get at the airport and at the security checkpoint. As long as the baby is actually present with you, there should not be any problems.

Before we travelled, we were of course quite nervous and attempted to get our hands on as many 100ml containers as possible as a precaution. Luckily, most baby food jars are 100grams. We had quie a few little drink containers with us as well as larger containers for purified water. As a side note, you will want to take plenty of water with you for your baby as airplane water has typically been chemically treated and disinfected and is generally not considered optimal for baby consumption.

As mentioned in the previous article, we also took quite a few ‘just in case’ medicines with us, most of which were well over 100ml.

So, here is what happened at the various airports:

Melbourne, Australia: When we arrived at the checkpoint, we declared that a seperate bag was just for baby food and medicines. The officer nodded and informed the x-ray operator that a baby bag was coming through. Once we passed through the metal check gate, the officer at the other side asked us to show him the content of the bag, checked the labels on the still sealed bottles, saw the water bottles and passed everything through. No problem here. Very efficient & friendly.

Bangkok, Thailand: First of all, what a huge airport. The shopping level at the top is quite comprehensive. At the security checkpoint, we declared the baby bag and the officer asked us to empty everything from the bag into a number of 1 lt clear plastic zip-lock bags (which she provided). Everything went through the x-ray as before. After we passed through the metal gate, the officer at the other side inspected every single bottle and questioned us about the content. She didn’t seem as concerned about the size as about the content, especially the medicines. Sealed jars were passed over quickly. The others we inspeced closely, but once it was apparent that it was home-made food, they were passed. Again, no problem. Very thorough inspection, but all within reason. Make sure all your things are easily accessible.

Zurich: Switzerland: Very similar to the Melbourne process. The whole baby bag was passed through the x-ray and an officer inspected the content at the other end. A few questions about the content, but no problems. By now, we had quite a few containers that were larger than 100ml. We had some large baby food containers (225gram) and larger water containers.

Rome, Italy: This was probably the best experience. Rome is another huge airport with 15-20 security check lanes. The very fortunate thing is that a guard at the start directed parents with children, elderly and injured people to a seperate set of security gates. Instead of waiting with 200 people, we had 3 in front of us. What a relief. The process was very quick and painless. Bag on the x-ray and we’re done. Looks like the Italians applied some common sense and are seeing these mandated restrictions for what they really are…

So overall, travelling with a baby and liquids is likely not as big a deal as you think it may be. Granted, our experience did not include travel to the USA this time. Given that these restrictions originated there and people are still being made to take off their shoes, your experience in that country may be different.

Best of luck and joy in your travels.

If you have any feedback on other countries or experience with American air travel, please leave a comment. We plan to head to that way soon and any tips would help :)

Wow! The days go by so very quickly and I can’t believe that it has been so long since I was here!

If you have been on our website you may have seen that we took a break over the Christmas and New Year Period. We decided to take our precious little girl to see her grandfather in Germany and to meet her other assorted family members both in Germany and Italy.

What a terrifying prospect it was. Not only the time away from home and how would she sleep when adjusting to the time difference and how would we cope with the extreme weather conditions…. but how on earth does one propose to keep an 8 month old happy for 24 hours in a very very confined space?????

It was the subject of much discussion and deliberation, much shopping was done far in advance when the winter sales were on and we relied on the help of our family in Europe to provide us with as many things as possible so we did not have to carry absolutely everything from here.

The trip was surprisingly manageable. We were fortunate that our baby was still able to fit (read: squeeze) into the aeroplane bassinet which hooks into the wall at the bulkhead of the plane. (Be sure to check with your airline to ensure your baby will fit in and to reserve the position and the bassinet. Some airlines require the baby’s date of birth, weight and height to be able to even request this - make sure your travel agent calls to let them know for you or that you do it yourself)

The bassinet meant that she was able to sleep comfortably and lie down and play which ensured that we were given a little time to rest and that she did not go out of her mind from being held all the time. This seating position also allows you t0 put an aeroplane blanket on the floor to allow your baby to strech out and roll if they are able and to sit and play. (Make sure you sit with them on the floor of you can or put pillows around them in case they fall so they can’t hurt themselves.) If we travel again with her before she is 2 (at which point you are obligated to buy a seat for them) we would definately buy her a seat so that she had somewhere to sit and play happily without having to be held all the time.

Three hours in transit in Bangkok was made easier by a stroller (essential - I just can’t say it enough) Attach a few toys and the interesting environment of the airport shops should keep most babies interested or tire them out so they go to sleep in the stroller for you.

On arrival in Germany our tired little girl was a little reluctant to be held by anyone but us and did not want to play on her own. Totally understandable as we were the only people she recognised and she had not had a real nights sleep in over a day. After a little nap and lots of encouragement, she warmed up to everyone slowly and our adventure had begun.

The cold was extreme. Thank goodness we had been able to borrow a snow suit for her from friends who have a baby slightly older and spend alot of time at the snow every year. She wore it every day.  The kind of cold that we encountered was so different to anything we generally experience here in Australia. The air was icy and sometimes you caught your breath from the intensity of it.

This was where the pram, fur lined sleeping bag and storm cover we borrowed came in very handy! We were able to be certain that our baby  was warm and that she was not breathing in the icy cold air which could easily have caused a terrible cold or cough or both!

I guess the long and short (well maybe just long) of this post is that travelling overseas with a baby is somethng that you need to do much preparation for, and that you should ensure all bases are covered before leaving, but that you should definately do it, so much fun, and unlike me, that you should try not to stress about every tiny thing and micro manage every moment of the trip before you even leave! Relax and enjoy it. Prepare what you can, remember the essetial items and before you leave, cut back on the amount of clothes you take for everyone one more time, they have shops where you are going you know :)

Your baby’s routine will be interupted, they will likely take days to realise when it is night and when it is day and  you may have tohold them more than normal and even rock them to sleep when normally they go to sleep all by themselves. But the valuable family time and fun you will have far outweighs all of that

Good luck, have fun and let us know how it went!

Tips:

Rely on the help of others - if you have family where you are going ask them if it is possible to get things for you such as car seats, high chairs, large prams, portacots and even toys.

If you don’t have family to rely on, consider if maybe it would be less stressful to buy some items at your destination, or if the hotel/apartment where you are staying can provide anything for you.

Remember that car seats can be hired in lots of places, especially if you are hiring a car.

Take a sheet from home that your baby has slept on for one or two nights already so that the portacot has some familiarity for them. Also the blanket or sleeping bag from their bed can make their sleeping pattern more regular at your destination

Don’t overpack if you forsee any chance of being able to wash. At home we tend to use evreything all the time because it is there. When on holidays remember that your baby (and you) does not need anywhere near as many things as you may think.

Don’t forget esssentials such as bibs, spoons (you can use any bowls but for out and about we loved the small Take and Toss containers and cups) sippy cups - and a spare just in case! Nappies for the first few days and the trip, a few toys (ration them) dummies if your baby uses one

Don’t forget that if you are using disposable nappies for travelling (recommended for travel to cold climates in particular) remember you will be able to buy them where you go so you don’t need to carry 3 weeks worth from home. But if you are going to a tiny resort on and island in Fiji you may want to call ahead and check if nappies are available or take your own as they would most likely cost more than the excess luggage fees!)

A stroller is a must for any baby you can no longer carry in a harness for several hours at a time. They will take it from you at the door of the plane and give it back to you as you get off so you can use it in the airport at any trasit points or when you arrive at your destination

Take any natural or medical items you use for your baby, even if only occasionally, as you may find that they are out of whack from the travel, climate, altitude, or food. If it makes you more comfortable, ask your family doctor for a dose of antibiotics in case your baby gets sick so you don’t need to go to a foreign doctor. Ask the pharmacist not to mix the antibiotic if possible so that it stays fresh and does not require constant refrigeration.  Resist using them unless really neccessary though.

Remember that most places you will travel with a baby will have shops at which you can buy almost anything you may find yourself short of while you are away. But be sure to remember that some islands may have limited supplies  and that they will be very expensive so remember to be prepared for your specific holiday.