It was a smooth take-off for the 10+ hour flight on which my family had been split into two separate rows by the airline. The baby and I sat in our window seat on the bulkhead row, where a bassinet could later be mounted, while an eastern European couple returning from their honeymoon occupied the two seats beside us. Things were already a little awkward on our row as I nursed to keep the baby comfortable during the rapid change in altitude, but we gave each other polite smiles, looked in opposite directions, and pretended we were all somewhere else for a little while.
Then the baby threw up.
There are reasons I recommend parents bring a change of clothes for themselves as well as for their infants and young children when undertaking long flights, and this moment—and the second round that began later that flight—top the list. Thankfully, the flight attendants were very supportive and helpful, and although the flight was completely booked—in coach that is, the horrified honeymooners were reseated in business class.
As a result, the barfing baby and I gained the two freshly vacated seats for the duration of our overseas flight in addition to our own less-than-fresh one, and I couldn’t help but think how well it worked out for everyone. Other than having to wear lavatory-rinsed, wet clothing for the rest of the flight.
Naturally, there are also a multitude of other offenses these tiny travelers may commit while airborne. If you’ve spent any amount of time in their presence, particularly during or shortly after meals, I’m sure you catch my drift (and perhaps a little of the banana puree).
Frankly, I’m surprised we haven’t seen more minimum age restrictions imposed by airlines offering exclusive classes of service and special amenities for business travelers. Though it seems to me priority to baby-free travel would fall to the section labeled “business class,” rather than “first.” Regardless, when consumers have a choice between airlines they should choose wisely, especially those traveling with a baby or young child—and those who would prefer to travel without.
Everyone offering harsh criticism of Malaysia Airlines this week should take note that not only do they offer virtually all of the above to travelers with infants, but they have also demonstrated an appreciation of their family travelers by continuing to offer family preboarding (even before first- and business-class travelers, unlike many other airlines), and have created children’s play areas and private baby care and lactation facilities in many airports that they serve.
Now, on the off chance that any other airlines are looking for ideas on how to improve the customer experience for those traveling with or without babies, I hope they’ll consider my suggestions in: “Five Ways Airlines Can Make Happier Travelers of us All.” And remember, there are also numerous tips to help you keep that baby, toddler, and preschooler quiet and content on that next flight in Take-Along Travels with Baby, so do keep it handy. And in case you’ll be flying without an infant of your own in first class on any other airline, you may want bring a copy as well. We know how you value your sleep.
Related posts and pages:
Five ways airlines can make happier travelers of us all
What ever happened to family preboarding?
Tips for long-haul and overseas flights with a baby
The real reason babies and toddlers need ID for domestic flights
Cost-saving tips for families packing checked baggage
See more on air travel in FAQs and Popular Topics
Safe journeys,
Shelly Rivoli
Author of Travels with Baby and the new Take-Along Travels with Baby
www.travelswithbaby.com Travels with Baby on Facebook
All content of this blog (c) Shelly Rivoli
The Alhambra at Granada is a vast UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases14th century Moorish architecture, stunning gardens with elaborate water features flowing throughout, and the Palace of Charles V built at the site in the 16th century. As you can imagine there is no shortage of beautiful things to see–and a lot of ground to cover during your visit. These tips should help you plan ahead to get the most from your visit to the site, especially those of you who will visit the Alhambra with young children.
If you will be visiting in high season, be sure to purchase your tickets well in advance. While you can purchase tickets online (click here), you may need to call and purchase by phone in order to get tickets for children (phone numbers and more information about ticket sales here). While kids under 12 years visit the Alhambra for free, they are still required to have a ticket and reservation time for the Nasrid Palaces (more on Nasrid Palaces below).
If you are flexible with timing your visit, check the weather forecast at Granada (http://www.weather.com) before choosing the date of your visit and purchasing tickets.
Buy your tickets in advance at the yellow Caixa bank machines that include events ticketing (found in cities throughout Spain). Look for the bright yellow tab to click for events, and as odd as it seems, you’ll need to insert your bank card before selecting the language. The transaction should be straightforward from there, and the tickets and receipt will print when finished.
Choose a later ticket time for your visit to the Nasrid Palaces, and plan to begin your visit to the oveall Alhambra site earlier in the day. The Nasrid Palaces portion of the Alhambra is a good, long walk from most of the parking areas even without young children. The line forms well before each new time slot begins, and if you are more than 30 minutes late, you will miss your chance to see one of the most beautiful parts of the Alhambra. What’s more, you will be glad to have the entire hour you are alotted to explore it.
With antsy toddlers, couples may actually want to choose different times for their visits to the Nasrid Palaces, allowing each to explore at their own pace while the other chases in circles around the reflection pools, hedge rows, or picnics under a persimmon tree.
Finding the Alhambra from the freeway (or autovia) is quite easy. Just follow the red-framed Alhambra signs from your exit (or any number of large tour buses) all the way there.
The weather at Granada can be dramatically different from the Costa del Sol, sometimes much colder, sometimes completely socked in with fog even as families romp in their skivvies at the shore. If you are driving in from a different climate zone, be sure your family will be dressed appropriately and bring jackets as you’ll be spending most of your time outdoors. Again, check the weather forecast at Granada if possible (it can also be quite hot!).
Backpacks / daypacks are allowed throughout the Alahmbra with two exceptions. In the Nazrid Palaces, backpacks must be worn on your front during the tour as it gets quite crowded, their could be pickpockets, and no one wants to see unecessary damage to the ornate walls. During an art exhibit, backpacks are also not permitted within the exhibition area in the Palace of Charles V.
Baby backpacks and child carriers that must be worn on the back are allowed throughout the Alhambra, though one that can be worn on the back while trekking from the parking lot and on the front in crowded quarters (like my Ergo) are ideal.
Strollers / pushchairs are permitted at the Alahmbra except within the Nazrid Palaces, where there are also many stairs and steps throughout.
Lockers are available and centrally located within the Alhambra, so you can ditch your diaper bag or stow your picnic for later if you like.
Diaper changing tables can be found in the larger restrooms.
Audio guides are available and are a great option for parents who want to tour at their own pace rather than keep up with a guided group. Parents with a toddler in tow, may want to simply rent one and take turns listening while the other moves on to the next area with the child.
Snacks and sandwiches are easy to come by in gift shops and stands around the grounds.
Photographers: No flash photography here. For your best shots be at the front of the line for your Nasrid Palace tour and as mentioned twice already… try to plan ahead to visit in fair weather. It’s just not as much fun taking photos from beneath your umbrella!
Related posts and pages:
Spain – Exploring the Nerja Caves
Spain – Nightfall at Nerja
Spain – Thanksgiving in Andalucia
Spain – Photo Fave: Reflection pool at the Alhambra
Europe / General – Best stroller for travel to Europe with a toddler?
Europe / General – Which twin stroller is best for travel to Europe?
Safe journeys,
Shelly Rivoli
Author of Travels with Baby and the new Take-Along Travels with Baby
http://www.travelswithbaby.com Travels with Baby on Facebook
All content of this blog (c) Shelly Rivoli
For a month before we traveled to Spain, our family ate dinner each night beside a smattering of photos of the things I hoped we would see on our journey. In the center was a full-page photo of the unmistakable reflection pool at the Nasrid Palaces in Granada’s UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Alhambra.
While you can spend as much time as you like (within operating hours) exploring the rest of The Alhambra’s buildings and grounds, your time within the Nasrid Palaces is limited to one hour, beginning at your reserved time. It’s a stunning place to see, but once we stepped out to this courtyard I saw a look on my daughter’s faces I will never forget.
They realized they had arrived in the photo.
This post is part of Photo Friday at DeliciousBaby.com. Here’s wishing you all a great weekend.
Related posts and pages:
Safe journeys,
Shelly Rivoli
Author of Travels with Baby and the new Take-Along Travels with Baby
http://www.travelswithbaby.com Travels with Baby on Facebook
All content of this blog (c) Shelly Rivoli
My entire life I’ve watched my family—and later my in-laws—set up camp kitchens in the wilderness to put my own at home to shame (this includes a rafting trip we took through a remote wilderness area where we camped in a different site each night and all the food and gear traveled in our boats). We all have different talents, and I can accept that mine has never been cooking. Rather than beat myself up about it when we pack up for a car camping trip, I like to recall the advice of Henry David Thoreau:
“Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify, simplify!”
In that spirit, I offer a handful of our family’s favorites that have vastly simplified car camping trips with our kids. And so far, I haven’t heard any complaints.
- Applesauce Cups – They require no refrigeration, come in their own child-size bowls, work for babies through big kids (and parents), and the cups rinse clean under the spigot and go into the campground recycling bin when finished. Need I say more?
- Bag of Mini Bagels – Get a kid-pleasing variety such as cinnamon raisin or blueberry and set one on top of an applesauce cup and you’ve made breakfast! To fancy it up, set out your jar of peanut butter (the no-refrigeration required kind) or a small container of cream cheese.
- Can of Black Olives – Again, no refrigeration required, and with a pull-tab can you won’t even kick yourself for losing that can opener somewhere in the trunk of your car. Tip: Dump into a bowl and set out as an appetizer before you start cooking to help keep kids happy and out of your cooler until dinner is served. I’m always stunned how they continue to regard this as a treat!
- Pre-Popped Popcorn – Whether you pop your own before leaving home or pick up a bag of pre-popped popcorn from the store (I am hooked on T.J.’s white cheddar!), it makes a great kid snack mid-afternoon or evening campfire alternative to marshmallows. Yes, you can do Jiffy Pop Popcorn over the fire, too, if you’re camping where campfires are permitted. Tip: Since Jiffy Pop seems to be hit or miss with seasonal items at the store, you can always order online if needed.
- Cheese Sticks or String Cheese – Individually sealed cheese sticks or string cheese give a protein boost between meals and keep just fine at the top of your ice chest where they are conveniently located for small snack thieves who might otherwise disrupt the delicate balance of your overstuffed cooler. When heading out for a hike, toss a few in the family daypack.
Safe journeys,
Shelly Rivoli
Author of Travels with Baby and the new Take-Along Travels with Baby
http://www.travelswithbaby.com/ Travels with Baby on Facebook
All content of this blog (c) Shelly Rivoli
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I recently saw a tweet from @SoulTravelers3 that read, “Family travel is often about doing ordinary things in extraordinary places.” It got me thinking.
Traveling with a school-age child now, it’s things like watching her do homework on the airplane or on a balcony in Spain that sets my heart a-flutter about family travel as never before. It’s easy to see how the “Soul Travelers 3″ have not stopped traveling since they left home with their 5-year-old in 2006!
But for many people considering whether or not to travel with their children as babies and toddlers, it’s having to deal with the ordinary things that era of parenting entails–diaper changes, feedings and snacks, bedtime routines, babyproofing, and possible tantrums–in extraoridnary places that can be a most daunting. And I can tell you from experience, it’s not always easy.
Yet there is also a certain magic in it, especially in the way doing these same mundane tasks a parent must do one thousand times over just once in one unusual place helps crystallize a key experience that might otherwise blur into the weeks, and months, and years of overseeing a young child’s development.
I started to recall breastfeeding in Bangkok–after trying so hard to find a quiet place to sit down where curious onlookers would stop coming up to play with my fair-haired baby. Then changing a diaper on the ground at Pompeii in a place I thought no one would notice–when a large tour group suddenly began passing by, and later trying to brush the volcanic soot off my flannel-backed changing pad. And helping my daughter learn to walk as she insisted on going up and down and up and down the steps of a movie theater during the Cannes Film Festival–when we thought that she would sleep.
And here? Our family’s weekly ritual of making a pancake breakfast, but one time we’ll surely never forget, as we sat in the outdoor dining room perched in the trees at Casa Vista, with tropical birds coming to rest at eye level, red squirrels on the fly, howler monkeys in the distance, and an iguana on the roof.
Ordinary. Extraordinary. And some of my favorite memories as a mom so far.
This post is part of Photo Friday at DeliciousBaby.com.
Related posts and pages:
Breastfeeding in Bangkok
Review of Casa Vista, Manzanillo, Costa Rica
5 Ways to Ease your Arrival in Costa Rica with Kids
Thanksgiving in Andalucia
Santa Teresa, Costa Rica: 5 Best with Kids Under 5
See all FAQs and Popular Topics
See all travel tips and topics by Destination
Safe journeys,
Shelly Rivoli Author of Travels with Baby and the new Take-Along Travels with Baby www.travelswithbaby.com Travels with Baby on Facebook
All content of this blog (c) Shelly Rivoli
While this question from an expectant mom is specific to vacationing in Hawaii with a 1-month-old, the general topic of how soon is too soon to plan a vacation with a new baby comes up frequently. Parents with maternity or parental leave from work understandably want to make the most of it, and parents who have been there and done that before know little ones are sometimes easiest to travel with in the early months before they are mobile.
Hi Shelly,
I am writing because I am a concerned mother about to take a trip to Hawaii with a 2-year-old and a newborn that will be about 1 month old. I just ordered both of your books on Amazon but I had a question.
We are going to be staying on Maui. We already have a two-bedroom condo rented at Hololani in Kahana. My mother has a time share there and originally we were all going. She backed out, but she is still going to let us use the time share. That is the main reason I hate to pass up on this trip – you can’t beat a free place to stay!
My husband and I made a trip to Mexico when our son was 9 months old and a trip to Florida when he was 13 months old. I think we could handle it but I am nervous about taking care of both children at once.
My biggest concern is the health of the newborn on the airplane. I am going to try to breastfeed but I had difficulty with my first child and pumped for 6 months with him. Do they allow breast pump equipment in carry-on luggage? Also, do you know how much breast milk they allow you to bring on the plane?
Another concern is that my husband is planning on a dive at the Maui Ocean Center. He will be diving in their shark tank and we will be able to watch him. Our son will love this but I’m not sure how I will be able to handle him and a newborn alone. Recently we took him to the aquarium and he ran around like crazy. Both my husband and I spent all of our time chasing him from one room to another. He hates being confined so I don’t know how well the “leash” would work. Do you have any suggestions?
What do you think? Do you think we are crazy to consider a trip so soon after the birth of our second child? We could postpone our trip and go next March but I am thinking some sunshine might be what I need.
Thanks for your help,
Deanna
Since you have already gone through a birth and adjusting to a new infant, and you’ve already traveled with an older baby as well, you have some idea of what you are getting into. Good friends of mine took their first child to Kaui at only 8 weeks and had a wonderful, relaxed time bonding with the new baby and enjoying the tropics. That said, there is a big difference between travel at 8 weeks after the birth of a child and an estimated 4 weeks. Here’s why:
Postpartum care & recovery - Since you can never be sure how things will go those first weeks—or when exactly they might begin, it’s hard to know ahead of time exactly how old your infant will be or how recovered you will be from the birth and any postpartum issues at the time of travel. One birth experience can be very different from the next, and having a toddler in the house during your first weeks home can be a completely different experience from the first time around when you actually could “sleep when the baby sleeps.”
Newborn health & vaccinations – Since the first routine vaccinations for all but HepB (given at the hospital) are not advised until at least 6 weeks, exposing the baby to travel situations like crowded airplanes and airports where international travelers cross paths before he or she receives protection from polio, measles, whooping cough, and other diseases we don’t generally see here—but many other countries do—could be a real concern (see schedule here http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/child/0-6yrs-schedule-pr.pdf). Since babies can come at unpredicted times, and I’m not sure of the possible range in weeks before your travels, I would definitely discuss your timing and vaccinations with your pediatrician before commiting to travel at possibly 3 or 4 weeks.
Breastfeeding & travel - As far as breastfeeding and travel are concerned, yes you can absolutely travel with a breast pump in your carry-on. Just be ready to explain the nifty electronics in your bag, and it will be nothing the TSO hasn’t seen before. If the green family lane is open at your airport, this will definitely be the line you want to choose. You may also bring onboard as much breast milk (with cooling packs) or liquid formula as the TSA would consider “necessary for your flight duration.” There is no exact amount specified so that they may review each case individually and look over your itinerary—and child. For both your infant and toddler, you will also be allowed to bring a “reasonable amount” of liquids onboard for them (baby food, cow’s milk, etc.) as long as the children are clearing security with you and the quantities suit the duration of your itinerary.
If everything were to go right on schedule and without complication, I think it could be possible for you to go and have a wonderful time as a family. Do talk with your pediatrician and OB, and take a good look at your schedule because each week makes a big difference at that time in terms of health, healing, and risk factors. If you decide to keep your plan intact, I’d strongly recommend you guys get travel insurance with a “cancel for any reason” clause if you haven’t done so already. That way, right up to the last minute, you should be able to cancel or postpone the trip without incurring hefty penalties on your airfare or any other prepaid expenses.
However, since you have the option of waiting some months, I would also encourage you and your husband to think through another possible scenario that you might be able to embrace and enjoy looking forward to this summer without having such an imminent commitment hanging over your heads. If you can postpone Hawaii until March, when your baby will be about 10 months old, it could still be every bit as much of a wonderful family vacation, which you’ll have the benefit of looking forward to much longer and without it competing for your energy and attention at the same time you’re preparing for your birth.
In the mean time, at around 2 or 3 months this summer, you might enjoy taking a shorter trip as a family to some destination a bit closer to home, but where you’ll be able to get some of that sunshine, rest, and family bonding time. Try somewhere you can reach by car at your own pace, with cheap or free outdoor attractions nearby, or some place with a pool where your toddler can burn off his energy and you can all enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast that is prepared by—and cleaned up by—someone else. Ask
Come March, you’ll be every bit as ready for that Hawaiian sunshine if not more so.
For more help planning your trip (sooner or later), be sure to read Chapter 3 (Deciding what to Bring) as well as Part 5 of Travels with Baby. You might also find some ideas to help smooth travel with your toddler in Chapter 5 (Temperaments in Transit). And by all means keep Take-Along Travels with Baby handy during your trip to help keep the baby happy on the go and the toddler, well, busy. Good luck!
Related posts and pages:
Ask Shelly: Top 5 tips for flying with a newborn baby?
Ask Shelly: Tips to help keep your lap child safer in flight
Tip #12: Remember to 3-1-1 your baby’s travel kit for carry-on
Breastfeeding and pumping during travel
Tips for brining formula, milk, juice and other liquids on flights with your baby
Browse more FAQs and Popular Topics
Safe journeys,
Shelly Rivoli
Author of Travels with Baby and the new Take-Along Travels with Baby
http://www.travelswithbaby.com/ Travels with Baby on Facebook
All content of this blog (c) Shelly Rivoli
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| Don’t miss Sydney: 5 Best with Kids Under 5 |
One common misconception among the American parents I hear from is that our car seats and our car seat laws in the U.S. are the toughest anywhere. Not so. In fact, the European branded car seats you may purchase here are manufactured to meet our FMV standards only–not those of Europe or the U.K., which are different and some would argue more rigorous.
- Children under four years of age must not travel in the front row of a vehicle with two or more rows.
- Children riding in the front seat of a vehicle who are aged from four to seven years of age must be seated in a forward facing restraint or booster seat, even in the front seat.
- Children from four to seven years of age can only sit in the front row of a vehicle with two or more rows when all other seats are occupied by children of a lesser age in an approved child restraint.
If you are planning to spend time in Sydney, don’t miss the new Sydney: 5 Best with Kids Under 5 recommendations contributed by Danni, which include the best restaurant with kids, wildlife viewing, safest beach and more for your family’s Sydney vacation.
Related posts and pages:
Sydney: 5 Best with Kids Under 5
Moms Around the World: Cairns, Australia
Ask Shelly: Would you take the Sit N Stroll on my Air New Zealand Flight?
Safe journeys,
Shelly Rivoli
Author of Travels with Baby and the new Take-Along Travels with Baby
http://www.travelswithbaby.com/ Travels with Baby on Facebook
All content of this blog (c) Shelly Rivoli
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| The playground at Kitsilano Beach in Vancouver. |
What I like about this photo (aside from that enthusiastic elf sprinting in the lower corner) is how it captures the best things a Vancouver park has to offer families. Look at those giant trees, the sailboats passing by, the imaginative play structure made from logs, and the wide open space where a toddler can run free–and it’s all just a short walk from the residential Kitsilano neighborhood, with its cute houses and cafes, as well as the False Creek Ferry dock where frequent pedestrian boats can whisk you downtown in a blink or to the celebrated markets of Granville Island (see my video here).
And what can’t you see here? Between the jogging stroller and the sailboat lies the lovely Kitsilano Beach, where we were bound with our own stroller and bucket of beach toys when we happened upon this lovely diversion.
There are reasons why Vancouver is consistently ranked as one of the best cities in the world in which to live, but if you don’t get to do that in this lifetime, I hope you’ll at least get the chance to go visit. If you do, here are some other tips and great places to check out with your family.
Related posts and pages:
Hooray, hooray for Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe – great with toddlers and kids
Moms Around the World: Vancouver, BC – insider tips from a local mom
Vancouver tips: Visiting Vancouver Aquarium with toddlers and little kids
Visiting Granville Island with little kids
Eat in the easy (and gourmet) way on your Vancouver vacation
Review of The Modage townhouse vacation rental, Kitsilano, Vancouver
This post is part of Photo Friday at DeliciousBaby.com. Here’s to my pals who made it to TBEX in Vancouver this weekend–wishing I could be there right now!
Safe journeys,
Shelly Rivoli
Author of Travels with Baby and the new Take-Along Travels with Baby
http://www.travelswithbaby.com/ Travels with Baby on Facebook
Bronze Award Winner in Travel Blogs from the North American Travel Journalists Association
