I started bringing baby J on my trips overseas when she was only 6 months old. Many people do not understand why I bring her on my trips, some have even disapproved of it. But, why did I choose to continue doing it (until now)? First of all, I was (and still am) breastfeeding her. Second, I have vowed to myself that baby J should always be the first priority. So, the hubby and I decided this was the best thing to do for baby J.
Baby J just turned 20 months a few days ago. In 20 months, she has been to 13 countries and 16 cities. True, it has not always been very convenient travelling with a baby, but the hubby and I would not have it any other way.
When I look at baby J now, I am thankful that we always bring her with us for the following reasons:
1. Travelling is a good exposure to people. I have noticed that Baby J is not afraid of people. When we go out and she meets other kids, she is the one who approaches them to say "Hi!". She does not get intimidated even of the older kids. When we were hearing Mass during one trip, she suddenly walked up to a boy of about 8, and suddenly hugged him.
2. Travelling makes your baby adaptable. Because we travel often, baby J never has trouble with new environments. She never gets fussy when we are in a new place. Instead, she would happily invite me to explore the new surroundings with her.
3. Travelling is a very good bonding experience for the family. When we travel, we forget about work (at least for a few days), and focus all our attention to each other. This allows us to be together physically and emotionally 24/7.
4. Travelling exposes your baby's palate. Wherever we go, we try the different specialties each place has to offer. Baby J happily tries it with us. Today, baby J eats just about anything. She also loves trying out new food.
5. Travelling is educational. We may think our babies do not remember the things that they see and experience, but baby J proves me wrong every time. She may not yet be able to talk to me in full sentences, but she shows me that she remembers everything she sees and experiences. For our part, we have always talked to her like she were an adult. We always point out new things, we always explain how things work, etc. Surprisingly, the next time baby J sees a particular item or picture, she can easily identify it.
6. Travelling makes your baby less fussy during the journey. In all this time that we have been travelling with baby J, I noticed that she is quite okay on the plane. While other babies keep crying on the plane, she just goes about entertaining herself with the things she sees, be it a plane ride, a train ride, or even a boat ride.
7. Travelling creates many good memories. True, your babies may not remember all the details of the trips they have been on as babies or toddlers. But when they grow up and see the family pictures of those trips, it will definitely bring back good memories for everyone.
8. You never have to experience missing your baby. When you bring your baby on your trips, you never have to feel the guilt that you left your baby behind or even have to feel lonely because you miss your baby.
9. Having your baby with you makes travelling more fun. Despite the logistical nightmare of travelling with a baby, we have to admit, travelling is more fun with our kids around. Seeing their awe and amazement gives us more than enough happiness already.
10. Travelling enhances your child's creativity. With recommendations coming out from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) about avoiding all forms of media for children less than 2 years of age as well as limiting the viewing time for older children, what better way to enhance our child's creativity than by exposing them to many different things in this world? Travelling helps them spend more time outdoors, to enhance their imagination and free play. Seeing the world also helps to address the curiosity of our children.
I have attached the link to the AAP advocacy below:
http://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Pages/Media-and-Children.aspx
With all these reasons in mind, I would not have it any other way. Travelling is definitely more fun when we are with the ones we love. After all, money can never pay for the experience and the memories we are forming and sharing with them.
Baby J just turned 20 months a few days ago. In 20 months, she has been to 13 countries and 16 cities. True, it has not always been very convenient travelling with a baby, but the hubby and I would not have it any other way.
When I look at baby J now, I am thankful that we always bring her with us for the following reasons:
1. Travelling is a good exposure to people. I have noticed that Baby J is not afraid of people. When we go out and she meets other kids, she is the one who approaches them to say "Hi!". She does not get intimidated even of the older kids. When we were hearing Mass during one trip, she suddenly walked up to a boy of about 8, and suddenly hugged him.
2. Travelling makes your baby adaptable. Because we travel often, baby J never has trouble with new environments. She never gets fussy when we are in a new place. Instead, she would happily invite me to explore the new surroundings with her.
3. Travelling is a very good bonding experience for the family. When we travel, we forget about work (at least for a few days), and focus all our attention to each other. This allows us to be together physically and emotionally 24/7.
4. Travelling exposes your baby's palate. Wherever we go, we try the different specialties each place has to offer. Baby J happily tries it with us. Today, baby J eats just about anything. She also loves trying out new food.
5. Travelling is educational. We may think our babies do not remember the things that they see and experience, but baby J proves me wrong every time. She may not yet be able to talk to me in full sentences, but she shows me that she remembers everything she sees and experiences. For our part, we have always talked to her like she were an adult. We always point out new things, we always explain how things work, etc. Surprisingly, the next time baby J sees a particular item or picture, she can easily identify it.
6. Travelling makes your baby less fussy during the journey. In all this time that we have been travelling with baby J, I noticed that she is quite okay on the plane. While other babies keep crying on the plane, she just goes about entertaining herself with the things she sees, be it a plane ride, a train ride, or even a boat ride.
7. Travelling creates many good memories. True, your babies may not remember all the details of the trips they have been on as babies or toddlers. But when they grow up and see the family pictures of those trips, it will definitely bring back good memories for everyone.
8. You never have to experience missing your baby. When you bring your baby on your trips, you never have to feel the guilt that you left your baby behind or even have to feel lonely because you miss your baby.
9. Having your baby with you makes travelling more fun. Despite the logistical nightmare of travelling with a baby, we have to admit, travelling is more fun with our kids around. Seeing their awe and amazement gives us more than enough happiness already.
10. Travelling enhances your child's creativity. With recommendations coming out from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) about avoiding all forms of media for children less than 2 years of age as well as limiting the viewing time for older children, what better way to enhance our child's creativity than by exposing them to many different things in this world? Travelling helps them spend more time outdoors, to enhance their imagination and free play. Seeing the world also helps to address the curiosity of our children.
I have attached the link to the AAP advocacy below:
http://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Pages/Media-and-Children.aspx
With all these reasons in mind, I would not have it any other way. Travelling is definitely more fun when we are with the ones we love. After all, money can never pay for the experience and the memories we are forming and sharing with them.
