Wednesday, June 17, 2015

12 things we learned traveling with infants

Oriol Selva Negra
Oriol up her little hand and moves his fingers (all) as if his gesture accompanying the song has five wolves wolf. Instead, sputtering "two years old" and suddenly pretends to blow out the candles on an imaginary cake. For days it has experimented but today their efforts make more sense, if anything, we celebrate a March 4, 2013 came into the world between berreos and energy that has deployed every day of his short life since.
We do not know exactly at what age be allowed one baby, but for those who travel with children , two years mark a before and after. After 24 months of living airlines consider that the small must have their own seat and therefore to pay ticket (almost complete).
Pau and Teo watching in Iceland Svartifoss
A few years ago it was with Teo and now we close this stage with Oriol. It was a period of continuous assimilation, one surprise, smiles and tears (especially want to sleep some more hours) but overall a wonderful life cycle has elapsed at all as we had imagined. To celebrate the second birthday of Oriol we wanted to share with you 10 things we learned traveling with babies.

Yes, you can travel with babies!

Vero and Teo in Gudvangen, Norwegian fjords
Let's start with the most important lesson of all. Yes, you can travel with babies ! The alternative is to stay home and that someone who has been infected by the virus does not construe traveler. The arrival of a child into the world changes your life completely in many ways, but not have to stay at home until the child or the child to go to college. We assure you from personal experience that is not as fierce as they paint the lion and infants and young children have a remarkable ability to adapt.

The baby's health comes first

Teo and Vero in the Laki lava field
The welfare and health of the baby always has to be the number one priority. We have been fortunate that our children have been sick ever travel, although a few days before departure. If in doubt about whether to make the trip or not better than ever you consult your pediatrician. It is also important to hire a travel insurance just in case and carry a small first aid kit with medicines you use classic home when put unwell. Quiet, on arrival there are pediatricians and pharmacies.

Respects routines baby and everything runs smoothly

Oriol sleeping in the apartment in Altea HomeAway
When children are so small they just want to be with their parents and the place gives a bit the same. Babies have very marked regarding bedtimes, meals, baths and game routines. Forget the long days and the crazy things you did before parenthood. Design your travel itineraries and workshops with the needs of the baby. If you eat, sleep, play and bathe their hours, the trip will be special for dads and children.

Not worth all destinations, but do not limit

Teo and Vero in Fjallsarlon
We have to respect some rules when choosing a destination travel with our children and never cross those red lines: security, hygiene and good sanitary facilities. The distance gives us a bit alike, as we traveled with Teo and Oriol to faraway places as South Korea , Mexico and now Japan . Sincerely destinations we have liked them discover the Scandinavian countries, but you can always consult our list of ten recommended destinations for traveling with children .

More passengers, more budget

Teo traveling by bus from Oslo Airport
The way we travel has changed a lot since we were parents and that has also been noticed in the budget we spend on each break. Still four logically the money we spend on travel is greater than when there were only two. When the kids are babies airlines only pay rates on airline tickets and rooms can sleep with daddies, but from now this will change. Better to have it in mind when preparing the trip, but do not think that the matter is shot into the stratosphere. You save expenses romantic dinner or partying.

Patience in airports and airplanes

Teo sleeping on the flight Emirates
In most foreign travel without no trip flight, so you have to estimate this step as necessary. Is a bit tedious pass security checks at airports with a baby, but most of the staff is very considerate of your situation and you usually have priority over other passengers. The same happens on board. The hostesses usually help you out and be uncomfortable babies usually only during takeoff and landing (and who does not?). Like a little relieved you read this post we publish on the first time we fly with a baby , where are some tips to make the flight more bearable.

Happy baby, happy parents

Oriol in Cantabria
There are many people who say that traveling with babies is a waste of time "full then they will not agree to anything." The second part is true, you probably do not remember anything of the trip in the future, but that time passed quality family worth all the gold in the world. If children have all their needs met and also discover new entertainment and activities they will be what will happen as dwarfs. Babies happy, happy dads ... this is so. Before planning the trip think about activities or fun places. Beaches, pools, parks, gardens, swings, puppets ... there are classics that never fail.

The nature passionate about

Photos Faroe Islands, Saksun. Teo Oriol and Vero
My children have grown up in the city and in an environment where technology plays an important role. Although Oriol just turned two years loves to watch videos or other cartoon Caillou on your computer, tablet or mobile. However, we have realized that both he Teo as passionate about nature. Simple things like throwing stones into a river, bathing on a beach or feeding animals fascinated. That has made the most of our trips have a part where direct contact with nature is taken. Always good to breathe fresh air and clear the mind. For them it is a continuous learning.

Reassured that they will not go hungry

Vero giving the jar to Teo in Dyrhólaey
Feeding babies is one of the greatest fears of parents who are traveling for the first time with your baby. If the infant is small there is no problem, but if you've left that stage does not usually have drawbacks. In the destinations we have visited have always been supermarkets with everything your baby needs (if children eat the destination?). If you're in doubt, you can always ask the place where you stay you prepare some ground with foods that can make you or the baby bottle warm restaurant. Warning a few hours before I have ready for lunch or dinner. If you want to play it safe, take your own baby food and powdered milk bottles.

No need to take the house on his back

Photos Faroe Islands. Tjornuvik. Happy Oriol
In one of our first trips with Teo we took a folding crib, a portable bañerita, even a car bottle warmer ... and we were not going to catch a car the entire trip. You think when you pack you going to need a lot of things, but then never actually use. It's okay to be proactive, but without going over. Clothing, hygiene products (diapers, wipes, creams), food for the first few days, one of his favorite toys, but forget things like portable humidifacadores, intercoms, or Siberian coats (except if you go to Siberia). Normally on arrival you can find everything that you need. It is important to consider whether the type of trip you're going to do is more interesting take trolley or backpack.

Good accommodation makes the difference

Oriol at the Novotel Barcelona City
If trips are inherently stressful, with babies and young children they are even more so. Having a good base is essential to recuperate and rest. Today it is very easy to know whether an accommodation has not comfort your baby needs (anyone booking a hotel room without looking on trip?). For us it is important to space, soundproofing, location or having items like bath (the bath is sacred for a baby), highchairs and a restaurant that facilitates our lives. What should you look for accommodation to attract families with children? In this post Kiribatis will give very good clues.

See the world through different eyes

Teo swinging on Mount Fløyen Bergen
All this is important, but the most valuable thing for us is that we managed to see the world through different eyes, reviving feelings and experiences that did not experience since childhood. We are convinced that travel is an essential part of the education of our children. It is undoubtedly the greatest legacy that we can give them. For us it is a pleasure to see how they play with children who speak other languages ​​or who have different skin color. Tolerance, respect, curiosity, patience, surprise, freedom ... Do you still wonder why I travel with children?

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