1 | What are the benefits of a “family trip”?
Taking a trip with your baby is a bit more tiring than traveling alone, but there are also many conveniences, such as not having to queue for check-in when flying, getting priority boarding, and having access to express lanes at various attractions and malls. Plus, many shops offer free toys and small gifts.
Spending 24/7 with your child in a new environment allows moms to discover a different kind of parent-child bond, especially for working moms who usually spend less time with their kids. But during the entire trip, being with the baby all the time, you’ll notice many amazing changes in your child. When they’re tired, they’ll rest on their own; when they’re happy, they’ll look around with you. Babies are also much more well-behaved and intelligent than imagined, with stronger adaptability.
Additionally, the meaning of a family trip isn’t limited to just those few days. The joy of anticipation during the preparation stage goes without saying, but even more precious are the memories. Even casual photos taken on a phone are often more meaningful than expensive studio portraits.
2 | Where to go?
For babies under one year old, the destination doesn’t make much difference. It’s recommended to avoid countries with significant time differences and to consider the availability of local baby and maternal facilities, as well as your own preferences. Many moms like to go to Japan, where shopping is also a major factor. Additionally, resorts or islands are also great choices.
You can plan a more relaxed itinerary, avoiding long, tiring journeys with multiple stops in one day. It’s best to stay in one place for one to two days, or even choose just one destination to spend three or four days relaxing, relieving the stress of parenting and work life. In that case, an island or resort would be ideal. Most island destinations offer attractions suitable for three generations, including kids and slightly older seniors, making them perfect for family vacations with little ones.
3 | Pre-trip preparations
If traveling abroad, prepare your child’s passport and visa. For Hong Kong and Taiwan, different permits are required, and these often take more than half a month to process, so plan ahead. For domestic trips, bring your baby’s birth certificate or household registration. Book hotels and flights in advance, choosing clean hotels with bathtubs for easy bathing. If your baby is crawling, opt for a room with carpeting, and avoid very early or late flights to prevent crankiness.
A reminder: purchase travel insurance suited to your needs. For overseas trips, choose coverage that includes credit card fraud, trip delays, shortened trips, cancellations, luggage delays, loss of personal belongings, travel documents, kidnapping, and unlawful detention. Options vary based on your baby’s age.
Travel planning is also crucial. Divide the destinations by region in advance, plan transportation routes and time schedules, and prepare backup plans for rainy weather. If you’re short on time or not good at customizing DIY itineraries, consider using a travel website to create a plan for a fee. These often include flight and hotel bookings, and the price isn’t much higher than booking yourself. Before departure, print necessary documents like e-ticket itineraries, hotel reservations, schedules, insurance policies, and local discount coupons—paper copies are more convenient than digital ones.
4 | Essential travel items for babies
The following items in parentheses are optional based on your needs:
1. Clothing: Clothes (one set per day plus two extra), pajamas or sleep sacks, small blankets or jackets, bibs or waterproof bibs (seasonal items: underwear, socks, shoes, slippers, swimsuits)
2. Toiletries: Shampoo, body wash, diapers, pull-ups, sunscreen, moisturizer, nail clippers, bath towels, facial tissues, wet wipes, disposable wipes (laundry soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb)
3. Food: Bibs, spoons, sippy cups, straw cups, teething toys, rice cereal, pureed fruits and veggies, canned food, snacks (thermos, formula, bottles)
4. Others: Lightweight stroller, baby carrier, sling, portable toys, anti-drop straps (baby backpacks, crossbody bags, crayons, notebooks)
5. Medicine: Ear thermometer or digital thermometer, insect repellent (fever reducer, alcohol wipes, electrolyte water, nasal spray). If your baby gets sick before the trip, bring relevant medications.
5 | Must-have “essentials” for family trips
1. Portable stroller that fits on planes (folds with one hand, adjustable to lie-flat mode): A handy stroller that can fold for the plane is ideal, as airport duty-free shopping can take a while. Features like one-handed folding, easy lie-flat mode for naps are very practical.
2. Baby carrier with a waist support (material suitable for the local season): It’s hard to keep your baby in a stroller the whole time, and a carrier with waist support is more comfortable than a regular carrier. When the baby is happy, you can face them forward; when sleepy, face them toward you; during meals, wear it behind you. On hot days, the waist support alone is cooler.
3. Diaper bag: A good, spacious diaper bag is very convenient. Choose one with waterproof and insulated features, an external tissue pocket, and a removable changing pad if possible.
4. Pull-ups: Diapers often require laying the baby down to put on, but pull-ups can be worn in any position, making them better for quick changes on the go. Most brands offer pull-ups in size M and up.
5. Bath towel or blanket (lightweight, opaque): Choose based on local temperature. It can provide warmth during temperature drops and double as a nursing cover or bath towel.
6. Anti-drop straps or cords: Babies often throw things around, and these straps come in handy. You can clip hats, teething toys, toys, or sunglasses to clothes, carriers, or strollers. No need to constantly worry about lost items. Bring several for versatility, with clips and clasps for different situations.
7. Snacks and teething toys: If your baby gets fussy, the easiest solution is to give them something to munch on. On the go, rice cakes or similar easy-to-hold snacks that last a while are great, or use teething toys for fruit.
6 | Baby sleep arrangements
Babies alternate between light sleep, deep sleep, and fragmented sleep. It’s normal for them not to sleep for long periods during the day—don’t force them to sleep a certain amount. If the baby is really tired, you can rock them to sleep in a stroller, use a carrier facing you, or hold them while sitting on a waist support. If the baby is too excited to sleep, try feeding them to sleep.
Sometimes babies cry because they’re too tired, and that’s when the soothing items you’ve prepared come in handy—like their favorite toys, plushies, or a pacifier. As long as we meet one of their needs, they’re usually quick to calm down. It’s best to plan your trip after the baby wakes up naturally in the morning, and let them nap during the day according to their own rhythm. In short, babies are far more adaptable than you might think!
7 | Baby Feeding Arrangements
For baby food during the trip, opt for pre-made options. You can bring rice cereal yourself, packing enough in sealed containers. For longer trips, you might choose to buy rice cereal locally. Also prepare some convenient storage boxes to portion out a single meal’s worth of dry cereal each time, carrying two boxes per day. This makes it easy to mix with water for meals on the go. Pouches of fruit and vegetable puree are also great—usually enough for two meals, just right for one day. You can also buy similar baby food locally.
When arranging baby food during the trip, there’s no need to stick too strictly to meal times. Generally, you can feed the baby baby food while the adults have lunch and dinner. Just ask the restaurant for hot water to mix the rice cereal into a porridge, then stir in the vegetable puree—no extra bowl needed. If there’s a fruit platter or fresh vegetables without seasoning in the adult meal, those can also serve as finger foods for the baby. On trips, babies often don’t have time to sit and eat fruit snacks properly, so you can use a teething feeder along with an anti-drop strap. This way, the baby isn’t restricted by movement, can eat slowly, and it also provides some soothing comfort.
8 | What to Do if Your Baby Gets Sick During the Trip?
First, parents need to take very careful care of the baby’s daily routine during the trip, which can greatly reduce the chances of the baby getting sick. Of course, it’s also wise to prepare some common medications for the baby in advance and carry them with you—it’s essential, as they can come in handy if the baby has a minor ailment.
If it’s an emergency situation—something we don’t usually encounter in our daily lives or during parenting—we should promptly contact local medical institutions or emergency services. For example, dial 110 in China or Japan, or 911 in the U.S. These basic first aid basics are essential knowledge for parents. Always remember, no matter the situation, whether you’re traveling or not, the child’s well-being comes first. In case of any issue, especially emergencies, contact a doctor immediately. Don’t worry about disrupting your itinerary—the child’s health is the top priority.
9 | Air Travel Tips
We’ve covered some general travel issues above. Now let’s talk about what to keep in mind when flying with a baby.
1. Age for Flying: Different airlines have different regulations. The minimum age is generally 7 days after birth (full week), but most domestic airlines require the baby to be at least 14 days old. Since you’re traveling for leisure, it’s best to wait until the mother has fully recovered from childbirth before planning a trip. Once the baby is over six months old and can sit up, traveling becomes much easier.
2. Buying Tickets: For babies aged 14 days to under 2 years, purchase an infant ticket at 10% of the adult fare (excluding fuel surcharges, etc.). The baby doesn’t get a seat and must be held by an adult. Usually, you can check in one piece of luggage up to 10kg for free (specific rules can be confirmed with the airline’s customer service when booking), plus one collapsible stroller. (Sometimes discounted adult tickets are as low as 30–40% off, making them even cheaper than half-price child tickets—so it might be more economical to book an adult ticket for the baby.)
3. Stroller Check-in: Larger strollers, though foldable, take up a lot of space and need to be checked in with other luggage. Lightweight strollers, like umbrella strollers, are very light and fold to the size of roughly one A4 sheet—or can even fit directly in the airplane overhead bin. You can take them to the boarding gate, where flight attendants will take them into the cabin for safekeeping. They’ll return the stroller to you at the gate upon disembarkation, or you can stow it in the overhead bin yourself. Sometimes, ground staff at the gate will hold onto it, and you’ll collect it at baggage claim.
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4. Perks: Flying with a baby not only allows you to use priority lanes to skip lines, but you can also apply in advance for a baby bassinet or baby meal. Generally, babies under 80cm tall and weighing less than 10kg can use the onboard baby bassinet (specific height and weight requirements vary by airline or aircraft type). The bulkhead row (the first row of each cabin section) is usually reserved for passengers with special needs, including those traveling with infants—since bassinets can only be hung from the cabin partition walls. For babies who have started on solid foods, you can pre-order a baby meal when booking your ticket (free of charge). Baby meals are typically designed for babies over 5 months old, but quality varies by airline. Better airlines may offer heated rice porridge, drinks, fruit puree, and snacks, while others provide only pre-packaged, room-temperature baby food in glass jars.
5. Security Screening: If the formula is already prepared, liquids over 100ml are generally not allowed through security. However, policies vary by airport—some may inspect and allow it, while others may ask you to discard it. After passing security, you can get hot water in airport family rooms or on the plane, so it’s recommended to prepare formula after clearing security.
6. Takeoff and Landing: During ascent and descent, you may feel ear pressure discomfort. Don’t let the baby sleep during these times. Instead, give them something to eat or drink—like milk or water—to encourage swallowing and balance the ear pressure. If the baby cries due to fear, don’t panic. Stay calm and comfort or distract the baby. If the baby cries loudly out of fright, hold them close in your arms, loosening and tightening your embrace every few seconds to give them a sense of security. The baby will settle once the plane stabilizes. Bringing toys or picture books can also help soothe the baby. The hum of the plane can make the baby sleepy, so it’s okay to let them sleep during the flight—as long as it’s not during takeoff or landing.
7. Baby Seat Belt: Though babies don’t have their own seat, they do have a special safety belt. Flight attendants will provide this after boarding. It’s used by looping it around the adult’s seat belt. It’s not safe to simply tie the baby to the parent’s seat belt—doing so means impact pressure would focus entirely on the baby, causing unnecessary harm. Wearing a dedicated baby safety belt is the truly safe option.
Finally, a word of encouragement for moms who want to travel but lack confidence. Taking your baby out for the first time is always a big step—only by taking that step can your child see a wider world. Don’t let your child hold you back from your desire to explore. Parenting life should also include moments of relaxation for yourself. Becoming a mom changes your life focus dramatically—even our identities often become “so-and-so’s Mom.” So here I want to call on all moms: don’t lose yourselves in parenting. When we’re doing well, our children will be even better.