Parenting Article:

Travelling mums can join the Smile High Club this summer

By: Jacqueline Scott - Director, KissKiss HugHug

With the holiday season fast approaching, many mum's across Australia will be starting to worry about what to take away on holidays - from packing for a long haul flight to breastfeeding in foreign countries, your first trip away with your baby can be stressful.

Things to consider:

1. Be prepared for the plane trip
"I took way too much on my first overseas plane trip as I kept imagining worst case scenarios where Zach was covered in poo and I had nothing to dress him in or that Zach was screaming and I couldn't calm him down. I ended up packing way too much in way too many onboard suitcases. At each stop over, my husband and I were arguing because we just had too much stuff to lug around," Felecia said.

Take one set of extra clothes (for that poo-nami!!), something for baby to sleep in, a small selection of favourite toys and books, enough food for your baby's routine plus 2 more meals, nappies, wipes and water (its difficult to get cooled boiled water on planes). Consider a breastfeeding cover if you are breastfeeding and a dummy saver if your baby uses a dummy as you won't be able to steralise dummies on a plane. And don't forget if your baby is smaller than 11kgs, book a bassinette seat - it's a lot more comfortable than having your baby sit on your lap the whole trip (not to mention the extra leg room for you!).

2. Avoid over-packing for the actual holiday
Second guess what you will need but remember most items you need will be available at your destination (yes, babies are born world-wide). The biggest mistake most parents make is lugging everything from their baby's wardrobe and every toiletry a baby could ever need away on holidays as they forget that most countries will cater for Western tourists and have major brands available. Remind yourself that the less you pack, the more space in your suitcase for some shopping to bring home with you!!

3. When Breastfeeding
Holiday destinations in conservative countries such as Dubai and Thailand are growing in popularity and mum's may need to consider where they will breastfeed while on holiday. A Breastfeeding Cover can mean the difference between a stressful breastfeeding experience and a relaxed one when on holiday.

Not only is a breastfeeding cover a cheap alternative to breastfeeding tops, it enables breastfeeding mums to wear 'normal fashion' when breastfeeding on holiday as it slips over any outfit - and if you choose the right one, it will co-ordinate with any outfit too. Choosing one that enables eye contact with your baby is a big benefit as well.

"Having recently travelled to the UK and Dubai," commented Jacqueline Scott, "I was faced with breastfeeding on a long haul flight where my fellow (and very close!) travellers could see everything, along with the prospect of breastfeeding in a country with conservative laws concerning women. With my Breastfeeding Cover in hand, travelling was made extremely easy."

4. Steralising bottles and dummy
Save lugging around a bottle steriliser by taking away Milton Steralising Fluid or something similar. Its simple to mix, can be used anywhere in the world and will give you peace of mind that bottles are sterile before use. For dummy's you could also try the preventative strategy by using a dummy saver so the dummy stays cleaner for longer.

"When flying on a plane, sterilising a dummy is not an option. Having a Dummy Saver handy meant I only needed one dummy for the entire trip as there was no risk of dummy's being dropped on the floor," Jacqueline said.

5. Relax
This is the most important tip... Babies make life unpredictable. They also enrich your life. Remember this and enjoy your holiday!

Jacqueline Scott is one of two Directors of KissKiss HugHug. For more information on KissKiss HugHug Breastfeeding Covers and trendy Dummy Savers, visit www.kisskisshughug.com.au.

KissKiss HugHug are currently offering all Mum Zone members 15% off store-wide.

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