Motherly advice

Motherly advice

Traveling with baby

Here is some advice from Agatha Jarosz, who travels the world with her 3-year-old son, Adrian.

Budget with discipline so you have money to travel. Jarosz and her husband allocate more money to travel and less to other things such as clothes, cars or furniture.

Bring at least one other adult. Jarosz has been on a plane alone with her son, but normally she has at least one other adult, either her husband or father, along on trips. Sometimes she has even more help.

Look for opportunities for a side trip. The last time they were in Poland, Jarosz flew from Warsaw to Dubai with her dad and grandmother for six days while her husband and in-laws watched the baby.

Do advance planning. Find out how to call the equivalent of 911 and learn the location of doctors, trauma centers and hospitals. Pack a first-aid kit. Take a car seat and stroller (airlines stow them for free). Bring extra snacks, change of clothes, water, formula and baby food; Jarosz says she feeds Adrian local food using the same precautions adults take in developing countries (no tap water, street food or peeled fruits).

Look for deals, but don’t restrict your trips only to child-focused destinations. Jarosz says many cultures in the world are child-friendly, and many destinations you might not think of as child-friendly actually are. Go to places that the adults will like, too.

International travel is cheapest when your child is under 2 years old. Starting on their second birthday, they pay adult fares.

Try to have a kitchen. Whether it’s a rental house, condo or extended stay hotel, a kitchen makes a lot of difference when traveling with children.