Travelling during pregnancy is considered safe during the 2nd trimester and of course, depending upon person to person and circumstances. I was more active during my first pregnancy but didn’t get the chance to travel except alone from Mumbai to Guwahati to my parent`s home for delivery.
During my 2nd pregnancy, my health was not in great condition. We had plans to travel to Bali during my son’s summer vacation,(during my 2nd trimester) but had to drop it as I was not in a position to travel long distances. But we managed to travel to our hometown and a few short trips by road in and around Guwahati. The places we visited are Shillong, Samdrup Jongkhar(in Bhutan) and Chandubi Lake.
Here I have mentioned some essential points to keep in mind when travelling during pregnancy:
1) Listen to your body when travelling during pregnancy.
You only know whether you can travel or not and by which mode of transport. Travel isn’t recommended for those with high-risk pregnancy conditions
2)Wear comfortable shoes and clothes.
Feeling comfortable in your clothes should be your priority. There are many sites and shops available nowadays for maternity wear. Wear comfortable shoes, especially which can be removed easily
3)Take your medicines and food on time.
Don’t try to postpone your mealtime.
4)Keep some snacks and a water bottle with you all the time.
Keeping something to eat like fruits, dry fruits, homemade sandwiches or roti will always come in handy. On one of my trips we had plans to have our lunch at the destination, and reaching the place would take some 1 hour. And I started feeling hungry. Luckily I was carrying a few bananas with me.
5)If you have one more child, it is always preferable to carry a car seat.
If they have the habit of travelling in your lap, explain to them before commencing the journey why you can’t take them in your lap anymore. Invest in a good car seat.
6)Plan ahead.
Always tell your practitioner about your travel plans before booking your tickets. Since I travelled by air both times I asked my doctor to give me in writing that I am fit to travel
7) Take your time.
Don’t rush. It is advisable to leave home early if you need to catch a train or plane as running up is not a good idea and you might need to take little rest in between.
8)If travelling by air, check with the airlines if they have any policies.
9) Move your legs around or take short breaks.
Take a stroll up to the cabin every once in a while of travelling by air. Or short breaks if you are travelling by car.
10) Wear your seat belt all the time.
It is always advisable to wear seatbelts all the time to avoid any kinds of sudden jerks.
Every person’s requirement is different. Please share if there is anything else you want to add.
We traveled to 4 countries covering 15+ cities when our son was 22 months old for almost 35 days. Love for travel didn’t stop us from traveling with a toddler. Traveling with kids can be frustrating at times so be prepared for that.
We first visited Dubai en-route Turkey, for 3 days.
Day 1: On the day of arrival we visited: > Dubai Mall > Aquarium and underwater zoo > Dubai fountain
Dubai Mall is one of the largest mall in UAE. Â The Aquarium and underwater zoo is located on the Ground Level of The Dubai Mall, is the largest suspended aquariums in the world.
It houses thousands of aquatic animals, comprising over 140 species.
The Dubai fountain is a choreographed fountain show, next to the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa. We saw the evening show. The evening shows starts at 6.00 pm until 12.00 midnight ( shows in every 30 mins). These are kid friendly places and can be easily covered in 4-5 hours.
Day 2: Our friend took us to few important landmarks. Because the weather was hot and we just managed to get down from the car and click some pics. Little one was sleeping inside the car. Evening was spent spending time with friends and relatives.
The other places to visit are: Miracle Garden, Dubai Village, Butterfly Garden. We couldn’t visit those places as we didn’t have time and we wanted to come again when our son is little older, as now he will not remember anything, and it will be him who will enjoy the most.
It is very necessary to carry a stroller if you have a baby or toddler.
Our son suffered from loose motion for 2 days. So don’t forget to carry all the necessary medicines with prescription. Small children may fall sick due to change in weather and new place. Be prepared to face the unexpected and take necessary remedies/ precautions for the same.
We have been practising a sustainable lifestyle at home for some time now and this time I adopted the same while travelling to Pondicherry with my 3 years old son. We have been trying to lead a sustainable lifestyle by adopting green methods like composting wet waste at home, buying plastic-free packaging materials, making our own cosmetics/toiletries, and floor cleaner, using reusable straws, cups, cutlery, etc. giving away all kinds of plastic items and food pouches for recycling.
One of the most important things, we can do to protect our environment is, to find ways to reduce waste. There is not a perfect zero-waste solution, but there are some little sustainable travel tip things we can each do. It just requires some advance planning.
Single-use items like- water bottles, cups, and straws, have an impact not only on the environment but also on us.
Here are the sustainable travel tips that I followed:
Packed our own food in reusable containers (or reusable food wrap) instead of buying that are wrapped in plastics
Carried our own water bottles and refilled them after security check-in. Refilled at regular intervals from drinking water station
Cloth pad and menstrual cup (in case of emergencies) (cloth pad)
Loose green tea leaves
Electric kettle
Carried toiletries like- shampoo bar, detergent powder, soap,
Steel straws, spoons, and snacks in small containers for the little one
Requested the hotel staff to provide drinking water in a jar instead of water bottles
Carried our own utensils
Cloth Diaper: Sustainable travel tips with kids
As a result, I could save 10 single-use straws from going to the trash. No unnecessary buying of water bottles.
Trash that we generated:
One water bottle was kept in the hotel room and my little one was feeling thirsty
2 chocolate wraps someone gave it (which I got back with me)
I am most guilty about the carbon footprints that I contribute while taking a flight. I know flying is bad for the environment and all, but unfortunately, it was my only option. Otherwise, we mostly travel by public transport or on foot once we are at our destination.
Planning ahead for the trip will not only help you lessen your environmental impact, but it will also make your whole travelling experience more enjoyable. It was my first attempt at making a sustainable trip and I am glad I could attain it to some extent.
My husband and I love to travel on any given day. After travelling to different places in India and the US between Nov to Feb(4 months) including visits to our native places in Assam (including some solo trips ), it was time to take a rest.
And within a month I conceived. I guess travelling helped my mind and body to relax, as we’re trying hard for the last year for a baby, followed by a miscarriage.
My pregnancy went smoothly and we had a lovely baby boy. Life became a roller-coaster ride for us. But the travel bug was crawling inside me and pinching me from time to time. Travel bug doesn’t come and go, it resides permanently inside you.
I desperately needed a break from the daily routine. Oops did I say daily routine? The daily routine doesn’t change whether you are home or on a vacation when you have a baby.
Our son was approaching his 1st birthday, and 10 days after that we had to leave for our native place in Assam. Before going home, we took a short 3 Days Trip to Goa with our 1-Year-Old.
One week before our trip, I introduced my son to formula milk (he didn’t have outside milk before). So in public places, I don’t have to cover him or look for a secluded place to breastfeed him.
I even made a checklist of items like his daily essentials and food items to carry for this 3 Days Trip to Goa with a 1-Year-Old. This helped me with what to pack and when to feed him what.
What to pack for 3 Days Trip to Goa with a 1-Year-Old? Below is the list of items to pack for a short trip:
1. Diapers and Changing Mat:
I guess it is the first things that come to our mind while packing a baby`s bag are diapers and a changing mat. Take only the required number of diapers or carry a few and buy the rest at the destination as disposable diapers are easily available. And if you only use cloth diapers then I would suggest taking flats and diaper covers as they are easier to wash and dries real fast. Travelling with cloth diapers is not at all messy. All you need is little planning and patience.
Do remember to give some diaper-free time to your child, it can be early in the morning after the child wakes up and after reaching your hotel/resort. Training/Potty pants and nappy are best.
2. Diaper Bag:
Choose a backpack instead of a shoulder or sling bag as a backpack will keep your hands free. You can use your regular backpack instead of a separate bag for the baby.
3. Extra sets of clothes:
Always carry 2-3 extra sets of clothes when you travel with babies
4. Sunscreen:
Don’t forget to apply sunscreen before you step out in Goa. The one from Mother Sprash is my personal favourite.
Sunscreen for Kids
5. Toys and Board Books:
Keep 2-3 small toys to keep them engaged for some time like during a train/flight journey or while waiting for your food at the restaurant or at the hotel. Small board books or flipflop have been very helpful to me.
Board Books
6. Snacks:
Carry a few snacks with you like Cookies, makhana, fruits, and cake that can be made at home. If that is not possible here are a few options:
Take 2-3 bottles if your baby is on formula milk only or takes bottle feed 2-3 times a day. Wash and Sterilize them once you are back at the hotel
9. Electric Kettle:
All hotels and Resorts usually have an Electric Kettle but do check with them before leaving as you may need them to make baby food or milk or even to sterilize baby`s utensils.
10. Thermoflask:
For keeping water for making formula milk or food.
11. Medicines:
Do carry all the medicines along with the doctor’s prescription, because you just never know when you will need them.
12. Toiletries:
Carry your regular toiletries like soap, and shampoo detergents in small bottles instead of those full-size bottles. Comb and face cream.
13. Baby Carrier/Stroller:
Do carry a kangaroo bag cum adjustable baby carrier. The baby is not only comfortable in that but will be very helpful when the baby is sleeping and you are out exploring places or riding a bike or car. A stroller will be helpful at airports or hotels. You cannot take a stroller to the beach, so check if you require them. We didn’t take them as it is difficult to move around in India as the tourist places are always crowded.
Baby Carrier
14. Wipes:
Wipes not only clean your baby`s bum but for cleaning their little hands or face also. You can make your own wipes. Just carry a few small cotton clothes or old leftover cotton fabric or bamboo sheets with the solution. Check this video on how to make Wipes Solution.
15. Shoes/Slippers:
Carry their shoes/slippers/crocs. Don’t take any new shoes or make them wear them a few times as they might not want to wear them or may get shoe bites.
I tried to maintain his schedule, which includes his meal time and nap time.
One day of our journey the flight was scheduled to depart at 4.30 in the evening from Mumbai airport. Our son got up at his usual time in the morning, had breakfast, played for some time, took a bath, and went to sleep. While he was sleeping we had our lunch, washed the utensils, got ready and everything was done. In the meantime, he also got up, dressed him, breastfeed-ed him and we were ready to leave for the airport.
After checking in he had a banana. At this age, they need to eat something at a gap of 2-3 hours. We still had time for boarding. Before boarding the flight I prepared his formula milk which he had during takeoff. And he slept and got up just before we landed.
With his father at the beach
Things to do in Goa with kids: 3 Days Trip to Goa with a 1-Year-Old.
As goa is famous for its beaches it is worth spending a whole day by the sea. Bring in some toys for the kids to play in the sand, while you relax with your favourite drink.
Other than that there are things that can be enjoyed both by kids and adults:
1)Dolphin Show:
Go for a Dolphin tour at Baga beach or at Candolim Beach as both Kids and adults are gonna love this trip. At Candolim beach, an hour-long tour on the boat to witness the stunning dolphins is one of the best activities to do in Goa.
Dolphin show
2) Aguada and Chapora Fort:
Both the forts have a long and fascinating history attached to them and both offers beautiful views of the sea. With open spaces, they are ideal for visiting with kids.
3) Basilica of Bom Jesus:
Basilica of Bom Jesus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Goa. The mummified body of St. Francis Xavier that remains encased in a silver casket is the key highlight of this church.
4) Mandovi River Cruise:
Enjoy the beautiful surrounding and scenic views of the sunset while cruising the river Mandovi. The cruise lasts for 1 hour and is accompanied by Music, Dance, Live Dj and cultural activities.
5) Water Sports:
For older kids (Above 10-12 years) and adults there are plenty of water sports like paragliding, parasailing, water bike etc that one can enjoy.
Water Sports in Goa
6) Flea Market:
Anjuna Flea Market on Wednesday and Saturday Night Market in Arpora are two markets that one must visit if you are in Goa. From jewellery to local handicrafts, and clothes these places are shoppers’ paradise. Don’t forget to carry a baby carrier if you are taking babies or younger kids as walking around here can be tiring for them.
7) Carnival:
Preparations for the carnival celebrations begin early on in December and are usually celebrated during the months of either February or March before the onset of Lent. People of all age groups can enjoy this festival. It includes revellers wearing masks and costumes usually, dancing troupes, electrifying music which is generally performed live, great food and drinking.
Goa Carnival
Where to stay in Goa?
From budget travellers to luxury ones Goa has very good options to choose from. But with kids, I would prefer a place that offers safety, hygiene, spaciousness and close proximity to the beach. Here are some options that you can check:
The bus is another option if you are travelling from Mumbai or Bangalore.
That is how we spent 3 days in Goa with a 1-year-old baby and we had a nice time together, though most of the time my concern was, whether he is enjoying it or not, whether is he hungry or sleepy.
What I understood from this trip at this age is that we need to maintain his meal and nap time, so that they don’t become cranky and we all have a memorable vacation.
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