Top Ten Tips for Travel with Babies
Below is a top ten list of lessons learned about slow travel with babies within Latin America (since doing anything quickly is out of the question!)
1. Don’t worry about being one of the first ones to the bus terminal, airport boarding gate, or even immigrations lines. If you have a baby, you automatically have the right to cut to the front of the line, no questions asked. If no one officious waves you to the front, simply walk up to the front of the line and those in line will waive you through. When on public transit, you’ll always get a seat, and if no one seems to offer right away the bus driver will announce that someone needs to get up to make a seat available to the lady with the baby.
2. Don’t bring a lot of toys and baby gear as the baby won’t ever use them after leaving the U.S. Siena’s favorite toys generally fall into the categories of water bottles, remote controls, or “yuckies on the floor.” Baby clothes, strollers, highchairs, etc are available even in small towns, and not worth the hassle of carting around while you search for a long-term apartment.
3. Bring the baby everywhere with you, even places that you wouldn’t normally bring a baby in the U.S. Babies are great at breaking the ice, and as family is so highly regarded in Latin America, babies are welcome just about everywhere. The one exception to this was in Santiago where many cafes and restaurants allow smoking; there is a law there that states that minors under the age of 18 aren’t allowed in smoking establishments. Aside from this, we’ve taken Siena everywhere, and perhaps because of this she has become a very sociable, adaptable, and well-behaved baby.
4. Teach the baby a few key words in the local language as this will help her to make friends and bring about smiles from all. “Ciao” or “chau” is pretty easy for babies to say, and “hola” is also a winner. Your baby will feel extremely proud of herself when she’s able to communicate with all of the new friends she’s making, and her happiness is contagious.
5. Carry hand sanitizer with you, always. It’s not uncommon for strangers to grab your baby’s hands, touch her face, or to request to pick her up, especially in Argentina. However, as you don’t know where the kindly older lady or 5 year old’s hands have been, after they’ve interacted with your baby and have moved on, make sure you clean off baby’s hands. Her hands probably need a cleaning anyways if she has begun to crawl.
6. Purchase healthcare insurance, as in many countries around the world there is universal healthcare, but those who can afford it opt into the private system. The public doctors are known for being good though with outdated equipment and facilities, which may not be sufficient for a baby. We purchased healthcare insurance earlier this week, and were pleasantly surprised at the depth of coverage offered for the price. Knowing that we have this has given us tremendous peace of mind.
7. If you’re a nursing mom, know that you’re not alone, and that people will often ask you what your baby eats and whether you’re nursing. It’s a common sight to see women nursing their babies in public, even while grocery shopping or walking down the street.
8. Diaper changing stations are nonexistent, so plan on changing a dirty diaper whenever and wherever the urge strikes.
9. Trust your instincts. While it’s generally a good idea to be flexible and adapt to local customs, follow your parenting instincts as you’re the only one who knows what is best for your baby. This sometimes will put you in an awkward position, but is the right thing to do in the long run. This generally comes into play when needing to find a tactful way to decline the offer of numerous sweets for your baby.
10. Most importantly, have fun! Try to see all of these new experiences from your baby’s perspective, and remember that this time will pass quickly so cherish these adventures with your family. Take time to relax and, if your baby is anything like Siena, make singing and dancing a regular part of your day.
A baby carrier is a great way to bond with your baby as well as ditch that bulky stroller.
1. Don’t worry about being one of the first ones to the bus terminal, airport boarding gate, or even immigrations lines. If you have a baby, you automatically have the right to cut to the front of the line, no questions asked. If no one officious waves you to the front, simply walk up to the front of the line and those in line will waive you through. When on public transit, you’ll always get a seat, and if no one seems to offer right away the bus driver will announce that someone needs to get up to make a seat available to the lady with the baby.
2. Don’t bring a lot of toys and baby gear as the baby won’t ever use them after leaving the U.S. Siena’s favorite toys generally fall into the categories of water bottles, remote controls, or “yuckies on the floor.” Baby clothes, strollers, highchairs, etc are available even in small towns, and not worth the hassle of carting around while you search for a long-term apartment.
"I eat this, right?" Anything can be a toy.
3. Bring the baby everywhere with you, even places that you wouldn’t normally bring a baby in the U.S. Babies are great at breaking the ice, and as family is so highly regarded in Latin America, babies are welcome just about everywhere. The one exception to this was in Santiago where many cafes and restaurants allow smoking; there is a law there that states that minors under the age of 18 aren’t allowed in smoking establishments. Aside from this, we’ve taken Siena everywhere, and perhaps because of this she has become a very sociable, adaptable, and well-behaved baby.
4. Teach the baby a few key words in the local language as this will help her to make friends and bring about smiles from all. “Ciao” or “chau” is pretty easy for babies to say, and “hola” is also a winner. Your baby will feel extremely proud of herself when she’s able to communicate with all of the new friends she’s making, and her happiness is contagious.
5. Carry hand sanitizer with you, always. It’s not uncommon for strangers to grab your baby’s hands, touch her face, or to request to pick her up, especially in Argentina. However, as you don’t know where the kindly older lady or 5 year old’s hands have been, after they’ve interacted with your baby and have moved on, make sure you clean off baby’s hands. Her hands probably need a cleaning anyways if she has begun to crawl.
6. Purchase healthcare insurance, as in many countries around the world there is universal healthcare, but those who can afford it opt into the private system. The public doctors are known for being good though with outdated equipment and facilities, which may not be sufficient for a baby. We purchased healthcare insurance earlier this week, and were pleasantly surprised at the depth of coverage offered for the price. Knowing that we have this has given us tremendous peace of mind.
7. If you’re a nursing mom, know that you’re not alone, and that people will often ask you what your baby eats and whether you’re nursing. It’s a common sight to see women nursing their babies in public, even while grocery shopping or walking down the street.
8. Diaper changing stations are nonexistent, so plan on changing a dirty diaper whenever and wherever the urge strikes.
9. Trust your instincts. While it’s generally a good idea to be flexible and adapt to local customs, follow your parenting instincts as you’re the only one who knows what is best for your baby. This sometimes will put you in an awkward position, but is the right thing to do in the long run. This generally comes into play when needing to find a tactful way to decline the offer of numerous sweets for your baby.
10. Most importantly, have fun! Try to see all of these new experiences from your baby’s perspective, and remember that this time will pass quickly so cherish these adventures with your family. Take time to relax and, if your baby is anything like Siena, make singing and dancing a regular part of your day.
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