Tara Travels | Traveling with an infant | TicTalkToe

Hi there! Five years ago I had very nervously started the journey of blogging. It was just another passion which I had wanted to pursue, but deep down somewhere, I wanted to chase this passion whole-heartedly! However, writing blogs on a regular basis is something that I still have not been able to manage. Also, a blog comes with its own expenses. Paying for the domain and the hosting server, year after year is a costly affair. Yet, the spark within never grumbled and wanted this beautiful journey to continue. When I had started my blog, I had promised myself that, even if a single person reads my blog, I will keep writing. Today I am elated to share that my blog has reached thousands of readers, across the borders, and they find it extremely helpful, motivating and encouraging. 

I had received numerous requests to pen down my experiences of traveling with Tara. Usually it is presumed that once you have a baby, life comes to a standstill, specially when it comes to travel. I would not disagree, since travelling with a baby is not as seamless as it used to be. However, since me and my husband both love to travel, we decided to introduce Tara to the world of travel pretty early.

So chalo, lets go….

Tara started traveling when she was in my tummy. During my 8th month of pregnancy, we decided to visit Puri in Orissa. I have penned down my experiences of traveling while being pregnant in a separate post HERE. A lot of so-called “well wishers” gave us their not-so valuable opinion about why I should not have risked my life. I had my last laugh over their non-solicited opinion!

Tara was born amidst nation wide lockdown. When the restrictions were a little relaxed, we decided to take a road trip with enough precautions when she was three months old. Her first trip was a weekend trip to Burdwan. We drove to a Rajbari with a few close friends, and their family. More than Tara, I would say it was a welcome break for me. When she was four and a half months old, we traveled to Puri again, but this time via train. Again when she was six months old, we took a flight to Ahmedabad and a quick road trip to Udaipur was also on the cards. I could fathom that Tara enjoyed all her trips because her usual outings would be to the hospital for her vaccinations alone. I could also sense the wonder in her eyes and her newfound curiosity about life beyond the four walls of the house. She would crane her neck to see the sun. The birds chirping, the flowers blooming. She would smile at fellow passengers. She would even wave her hands and babble at them. And before I knew it, my little Tara was already a “musafir“!

Taking a cue, my friends, who are also new mommies had requested to pen down my travel experiences with Tara in a blog. I’ll try and cover as many pointers as I can recall, so that travel with babies becomes easy.

I will be brutally honest. Travelling with a baby was not very easy. We, as a couple, were light travelers. With Tara, huge suitcases/backpacks became a part of our life for long trips initially. However, it is something that one must not be afraid of! Babies adjust and adapt to their surroundings very easily. Start with a small road trip first to see how the baby adjusts to a new environment. We started with a weekend road trip and figured things out. Starting with a small road trip has its own advantages. You will get the know if the baby has motion sickness. Also you can carry all the stuff the baby needs, and for later trips you can eliminate as per the baby’s need. I remember, we carried out electric kettle, mosquito net and several other things for Tara during our first trip. Later on, we figured out that most of the hotels we check-in do have electric kettles and mosquito repellants. My suggestion would be to make a list of all the things that you would need for the trip. That way, there will be lesser chances of leaving important things out. Keep medicines and baby essentials on top priority.

• Start with small distance travel or a one night journey. That way you would know if the baby has motion sickness.
• Plan your trip well in advance. Get all your tickets booked, hotel reservations done. Ensure that the hotel staff knows that there will be an infant checking in. Do check the weather of the place beforehand and pack accordingly. If it is a beach trip, pack enough clothes for frequent changes. If mountains, pack warm clothes.
• Start your journey to the railway station or airport with enough time in hand. I remember, once when i was about to book a cab, Tara threw up on me and we not only had to change her clothes but also mine.
• We realised that when traveling by train, night journeys were the best. Travel in 2AC or First Class if possible.
• Carry one or two big bags instead of several small bags. Managing several bags becomes difficult, specially with an infant in your arms. Hence, better carry one big suitcase that can be dragged along. I carried one huge suitcase for my 14 day trip to Gujarat along with a diaper bag for baby essentials while travelling. The suitcase was checked in, and thereafter, things became easier.
• Take help of baby gears. A baby carrier helped me immensely during travel because it kept me hands free. Consider traveling with a stroller where you need to walk a lot. A nursing cape would help you breastfeed in public. Keep your infants favourite toy handy to help the little one settle down amidst chaos.
• If you little one has already started solids, try and plan meals in advance, so that there are no sudden hunger cries. Make little packets of dry snacks. Also, do not introduce any new food to the baby, which the baby is not familiar with, while travelling. I have not yet started travelling with Tara after she started her solids, so I am yet to explore this phase. However if your little one breast feeds, consider it as a boon. You can nurse at any time at any place without worrying!
• Try and avoid remote areas, where there will be little access to doctors, medicines in the beginning.
• Expect surprises. But we are Indians, and more so, Indian Moms, so try and apply jugaad. For example, If the steriliser fails to work, try electric kettle. You will find more hacks on the internet.
• Lastly I would say, stay calm. Your baby can sense your energy, hence it is important for mammas and papas to stay rested and calm.

Listing all that I pack for Tara on her trips, so that this helps you. First few things are extremely important.

I hope this blog helps you in planning travel with your little one. Happy journey!