With the long Chinese New Year holiday almost upon us, thoughts of travelling must surely be on your mind. Perhaps you are planning to go back to your hometown to visit your relatives or thinking of vacationing with your family in some far-off destination. But…isn’t there is one “problem”? Your baby is still breastfeeding and the older one is barely out of diapers. How will you manage their feeding times and toilet breaks while on the move? What do you pack? How much do you pack? Do you bring along everything including the kitchen sink? And how will you keep your sanity when your sweet little one throws a fit and screams to get off the plane in mid-flight?

Lucky for us, four globe-trotting mums have consented to share with Motherhood their tips and tricks on how they keep their tots-in-tow tantrum free when they zip around and in and out of Malaysia time and time again.

Here is How They Do It:

Timing is Everything

Tina: Travels with Two Daughters, Five and Three Years Old

Tina has been driving to Johor and Ipoh by herself with her two girls since they were born. (Image Credit: Tina)

My husband is overseas pretty often. I remember, the first time I travelled alone with my daughters was on a flight to Johor Bahru to attend a wedding that he had to miss. My daughters were four and two at the time. But then again, I have been driving to Johor and Ipoh by myself with my two girls since they were born. Our recent trip was to Thailand where we stayed six days in Phuket. The furthest we have been was to Korea and Taiwan. We travel overseas annually.

Take Advantage of Their Nap Time

I always plan my trips to be as relaxing as possible. If I have to drive back to my hometown, I only drive after lunch when my two kids are sure to be taking their nap in the car. I would always bring along their favourite blanket and bolsters and they will both be strapped in their car seats. Within 30 minutes, they will be fast asleep and I can enjoy a relaxing drive back which usually takes about three hours.

Timing their nap times helps. (Image Credit: Tina)

When we were in Taiwan and Korea, our visits to places were always in the mornings until lunch time. I made sure I planned their nap times for the afternoons so that they will nap in the car or in the hotel or in their stroller while we travelled or planned for the next destination.

If they are on long flights, I make sure their flight times coincide with their sleep or nap time.

Keeping It Together

On Board

When in the plane, I will always prepare something like colouring and snacks to occupy them. Snacks like honey stars or puffs works best for my two children. I have found that Water Wow Travel Activity colouring books also works for my kids. The attached pen just needs to be filled with water and they will enjoy colouring during the flight. I also usually bring a toy that they haven’t seen or played with for a long time or some small new toy during travel.

On The Road

I make sure I myself refrain from drinking too much water before the journey as it always makes me go to the restroom. As for my children, when I am not confident, I just put on a diaper each time we travel.

Naps, food and activities always keep them quiet and happy. (Image Credit: Tina)

Hauling Baby Around

Car Seats and Baby Carriers

I never bring a car seat when I travel but I do bring baby carriers. To ensure there is a car seat available, I make sure I rent cars that come with a car seat. I will make a booking beforehand from the car rental company.

How Many Diapers?

I would estimate five to six diapers for each child per day. I bring all the diapers that my kids use.

Feeding On The Move

I always ensure we eat hotel breakfast when we travel. When my kids were still babies, I would bring hardboiled eggs and bananas from the hotel breakfast. Sometimes I would pack porridge from the hotel in a thermos and that will be their lunch: Porridge, eggs, bananas and bread. Both my kids are still drinking milk from bottles so we always have to travel with their milk bottles and powder.

A carrier helps, says Tina (Image Credit: Tina)

Hiccups & Bloopers

In Thailand, we did get stranded at the airport and had to extend our stay due to unforeseen circumstances. But we celebrated with an extra day in Bangkok and the kids were thrilled.

It is also important to bring medication for the children. In Taiwan, my elder daughter had high fever. In Phuket my younger daughter had stomach flu. So it is important to bring a thermometer, get travel insurance and make sure we have all the medications.

Make It Simple

Dainese: Travels with One Daughter, Shi Ya, Six Years Old

Dainese and Johnny travel with their daughter a minimum of three times a year excluding trips back to their hometown. (Image Credit: Dainese)

My husband Johnny and I plan a minimum of three trips a year excluding trips going back to our hometown. Normally two trips will be by flight and one by car. Shi Ya’s first trip was when she was three months old. We drove to Kuantan, Cameron Highlands and Ipoh. Her first flight was when she was 11 months old. We went to South Korea.

Our last trip was to Li Jiang, China at end December 2018. It was an eight-day stay. We did not move around but stayed in at the guesthouse. The weather was ranging between 17°C to -2°C. Mornings were cold at 8°C, and afternoons were 17°C, dropping to 7°C by the evening.

Slow and Steady Wins The Race

We kept the trip as simple as possible. We only made two trips out of the ancient city, the other days we remained in town and just walked around and sat in cafes to enjoy the slow moments together as a family. My girl learnt a lot about nature and China’s traditional culture. She asked about the snow mountain, she saw real yaks eating grass at the roadside, she experienced the bonfire in the city square where people danced around every night. We explained everything to her so she has knowledge of all the new experiences happening around her. She even had her first horse ride there.