Flying with a Baby Turned Toddler

Four weeks. Three destinations. Eight flights. Couple of train journeys and touring our destination in a camper van. Travelling companion: a baby who’s turning into a toddler.

When did this happen? The little baby who very recently ate and slept through flights, train journeys and bus rides now rests only if she feels like it. And if I’m lucky. She enjoys scanning the crowd looking for friendly faces to entertain her, she amuses herself by attempting to rip apart in-flight magazines and safety instructions, and would much rather crawl under the seats in an airplane in search of an adventure than sit calmly on my lap.

With kids priorities do change and these days there are few things that make this mom-daughter team happy while traveling. Especially the mom. The pre-November 2011 list would’ve been somewhat shorter consisting of free wireless Internet, good book and a cozy café to watch the world go by. But in 2012, the not-comprehensive-but-getting-there list goes as follows.

1. Airports where buggies are welcome all the way to the boarding gate. You make me happy and spare the co-travellers of a one sweaty mom who has lugged her baby around the airport in a sling for some hours.

2. If you insist in checking-in the buggy (I’m still talking to you – airports!), provide me with alternative transport and we can still be friends. At Helsinki-Vantaa airport in Finland you can find pushchairs suited to toddlers that have saved my day, on numerous occasions.

3. Airports with special “family security check” line. This one goes to Gatwick. Though when I’ve been to Gatwick there’s never been a line. Love it.

4. Playroom for kids at the airport. I’ve only seen these in Helsinki, and do they just make the hours fly by?! And provide for a one tired baby once it’s time to board the flight. These playrooms are sponsored by Reima, a high quality Finnish kids’ clothing brand to whom I should show some extra love in the coming years. I mean, playroom that does all the entertainment for you while waiting for your flight, a winner.

5. Baby-changing facilities. With a toilet for mommy. I won’t go into details but when traveling alone, this is a must that not many airports master.

6. Last but not least, baby-feeding chairs at the airport cafes and restaurants. Tiny little investment that makes the tiny little customers extra happy while mom can eat too.

For sure I would love an empty seat right next to me on the plane, too, but while the little one is traveling by sitting on my lap, some of the wriggling, exploring and energy can be tamed by bringing a book or two, baby snacks and games on iPad or iPhone. Choosing early departures has also worked well as she often continues her night-time sleep on air.

And really, I can’t complain. In the past eleven months there’s been no flights with a screaming baby (yet) and the three flights I took with her to get to my ex-home, Ireland, went without a hitch. She slept and ate, just like when she was a baby.

So Ireland it is, our exciting mystery destination number two! Watch this space for some love for the Green Island next week, meanwhile we’re off to explore the west coast in our (borrowed) camper van.