I travel internationally with 3 children under 5 and thank you to these tips

There is a misconception that when you have children, you can no longer travel, or, if you do it, it will be too stressful to be worth it. Readers, I’m here to tell you this can’t be far from reality.

Some of the happiest memories of my family from our journey abroad: admiring the Eiffel Tower on summer night, making pasta together in Italy, jumping to the Mediterranean in Grand-Hotel Du Cap-Ferratwhich our children say with love “The Pool House.”

Travel is a great way to connect with and enrich young imagination, but as parents will understand, the journey can quickly go down to the chaos without proper preparation. And with three children under five who have collectively visited six different countries (including our home country in New Zealand -a 17 hours Flights from New York), we have experienced considerable Trials and mistakes for years.

The main things to consider during planning are what to pack, travel logistics, and destinations. (If you live in the Caribbean All-inclusive over Capri, or Disney World is the only place tempting For children?) From airport survival techniques to travel around the routine, these are my interior tips for traveling with children and babies.

Preparation

Create a detailed list of the most complicated items you need; Donea’s convertible car seats and folding trips are always at the top of our list (we alternately between Yo-Yo and Silver Cross Jet), followed by children’s clothing bags with fun prints (state bags and pottery pottery have some great options). Invest in a backpack with luggage arm and fit it with the need for flight: change of clothing, something warm, hand sanitizer, diapers, wet tissue, snacks, coloring books, and non -noisy toys, without chaos.

If you pump, mobile is key; I used to use Willows or Elvie’s inserts but have found Only To be the most effective, even if you have a large bottle that stands out of your chest (hidden with a nursing cover, in my case). And to limit excess bulk, leave the nursing pillow behind and ask for additional cushions when you board the flight; It’s all about minimizing items to track while having access to everything you need.

Turbulence has arrived -has made the headlines last time around, and since not all airlines offer baby seat belts, I will advise buying baby flights to take care of young children; We have Baby b’airStrong and functional.

At the airport

Going to the airport is undeniable is the most challenging part, but I cannot exceed -what is absolutely absolute game converter The US five -star service is for the family.

On this new trip (and perhaps too high as high) to Europe, we were equipped with seven bags of clothes, four duffel bags, and two baby cars -a drive from the beginning. However, once we arrived at JFK, we met with an AA representative involved with the children and accompanied us through a check-in that felt like a luxury hotel lobby than the main international airport. From there, we passed the safety of the accelerated line and arrived at the shiny New Greenwich Lounge, which offers La Carte’s dining room, a sophisticated lounge with nursing area, and a pipe. There is no crowd, no halogen hall, and there is no reason for the tantrum of feared children who often trigger.

Getting a real plane is usually crazy for a family Wheels on the bus-Something we didn’t have energy after 3:00 am begins. They took us to the plane first and made sure that everything was kept safe. And voila!

This simple addition improves experience considerablyBut the real advantage is when we arrived in Rome and the driver could not be found. He did not speak English, and we did not speak Italian, instead of standing in the arrival hall, he was waiting in a car park for a mile. We will disappear without AA’s attendant at the Fiumicino Airport, which coordinates it and helps keep everything together while happily entertaining children.

On an airplane

If you can, book a flight that is in line with the sleep schedule. We often take red flights to Europe, and night routines can usually remain the same, but for bathing: dinner, books, beds (and probably some games and cartoons that are loaded to iPad).

Plan for nurses or bottles-eating during departure and landing to relieve ear pain from cabin pressure changes, and, if accessible, book bassinets first. For older children, Stokke’s jetkid bed box is a worthwhile investment, but be sure to check that the airline will allow it. And if you fly a business class, check the aircraft model when you make a reservation as some have a more modern cabin with a closing door for additional privacy (Air France and the second delta have this option).

It didn’t say that the plane was hotbed germs, so I always carried a bunch of lysol tissue and cleaned the seating area as soon as we boarded the ship. Another tip? Do children wear slip-on shoes instead of lace, and wear slippers so that they do not make a bathroom travel in the socks that will absorb everything.

At your destination

Pre-arrangement all That you can be in the hotel: swings, diaper buckets, baby equipment, warm bottles, and baby baths. To free up more bags, ship diapers in front of your arrival and any formulas or purees you need.

There is a huge difference between hotels that are just Allow Children and those who are truly appreciate them as guests, but more luxury hotels prioritize family, and some are masters to expect their needs. Take Chateau De La Messardiere AreaWhere the room is equipped with playing tents, new toys, bonpoint bathing facilities, macarons, and newly prepared food. Once the young jetsetter lives, they can take the Choo-Choo train to the children’s club and release their creativity with a variety of musical instruments, costume center, game arcade, and farms where they can play with animals and collect eggs to bake cakes with.

It needs to be connected to the concierge to ask about the activities of children you can sign up for (for example Jumby Bay Antigua offers children’s wildlife safari, Amanyara has an exclusive science camp), as well as to coordinate other children’s care services.