All About Travelling Pregnant Or With Kids

[Busymom]

smurf:

phankao:

[quote=\"smurf\"]

Not sure if you can bring water onboard the plane, cos security very tight nowadays. maybe check with the airline??

You just ask for water on the plane, or just refill your water bottle from water cooler after going thru the security.

Busymom mentioned that if mummy is fussy, then can she bring own water. NOT the water on plane or water cooler.
For this, have to check with the airline.[/quote]So far, we have been able to get past security with water for the children, water for making milk and water in water bottle. Sometimes, security may just ask you to drink the water in front of them. It also helps if the child is still rather young. Of course, don't kick up a scene if the security officer disallows it.

We usually use hot water from the plane. As for cool water, if you didn't manage to get past security with your own water, try asking the flight attendants for water from bottled water. Also, another way is to get hot water from the plane, asked for the amount that you need for making that 200ml of milk for instance, and let the water cool down naturally. In this case, bring along a themos to store the hot water that you will need later. This is what we do before landing.

As for asking the airline, they can't really advise. It really depends on the airport security officer.

[Busymom]

phankao:

We only pack baby's clothes, the thinnest pack of diapers, some books, a few small packs of raisins/biscuits, that's all.

We bring 2 types of diapers - one for day wear and one for the night, as we don't want to wet the hotel bed.

[Busymom]

smurf:

OT:


I dun think Japan very good for children leh. at least not Tokyo. no doubt a lot of baby changing room and nursery, and it's clean and child friendly and it's very safe for children. but it's super crowded! :shock:

go to any train/metro station, and there is no lack of people, even busying than raffles place, many many times. and we have to squeeze in train bum to bum, with baby in tow. not easy lah...in my opinion, maybe aa beach resort or laid back places such as Australia would be better ( I never tried before though)??

Restaurants in Tokyo dun have baby chair, so either your baby sit on your lap, or sit in a pram (you need to bring though).

Not sure if you can bring water onboard the plane, cos security very tight nowadays. maybe check with the airline??

Yes, certain places in Tokyo can be crowded, usually the shopping belt area e.g. Shibuya, etc. However, the other places such as parks, gardens, shrines are fine from our past experiences. A good place to go to is the Oedo-Onsen Monogatari. Of course, you have to decide if your child is old enough for the onsen.

If you avoid the train stations during the morning rush hour, I think it is not that bad.

As for the restaurants, check if they have baby chairs before you go in. Also, look around at the restaurant, its patrons, etc. before you decide whether to eat there. Most restarants do not have a smoke-free area. If you see a table of working men, best not to sit next to them.

Places such as Australia and New Zealand are good for young children. As for beach resorts, I actually feel less comfortable as medical assistance can be a problem if you need that, and of course, food choices would be limited. For us, the biggest consideration is always, hygiene, food, and of course, getting around.

[phankao]

Busymom:

phankao:

We only pack baby's clothes, the thinnest pack of diapers, some books, a few small packs of raisins/biscuits, that's all.

We bring 2 types of diapers - one for day wear and one for the night, as we don't want to wet the hotel bed.

I just bring huggies bc they are the slimmest. I think I usually buy the pack that has 20+ diapers and it can hold - won't wet/leak.

I calculate how many I roughly need a day. For toddler it's about 4 a day, so I only bring that amount plus another 4 or 5 more just in case. Anyway, there are always extras in my bag.

Travel is the only time I buy this expensive brand lah. Other than that, we use the cheapest Fairprice diapers.

[Busymom]

phankao:

Busymom:

[quote=\"phankao\"]

We only pack baby's clothes, the thinnest pack of diapers, some books, a few small packs of raisins/biscuits, that's all.

We bring 2 types of diapers - one for day wear and one for the night, as we don't want to wet the hotel bed.

I just bring huggies bc they are the slimmest. I think I usually buy the pack that has 20+ diapers and it can hold - won't wet/leak.

I calculate how many I roughly need a day. For toddler it's about 4 a day, so I only bring that amount plus another 4 or 5 more just in case. Anyway, there are always extras in my bag.

Travel is the only time I buy this expensive brand lah. Other than that, we use the cheapest Fairprice diapers.[/quote]We calculated too, but still the unexpected can happen sometimes. The first time we went to Japan, we ran out of diapers and milk powder... and as Tokyo was the last stop, it actually wasn't easy trying to buy both when we were there. For diapers, we ended up buying loose pieces from diapers dispensing machine in nursery rooms! That was some kind of an experience as DD had diarrhoea during our last few days there, which I suspect was due to DH's way of washing her milk bottles - without sterilising with hot water!

[wildboys]

I remembered once when we travelled while DS was still a very young toddler. We packed ready-made meals (like the pigeon ones) for him. Alas he didn’t like ANY of them!!! It was his first time trying that, he usually had homecooked meals at home. Then I realised he didn’t like any ready-made baby meals at all! So we wasted all the money buying so many there. We forgot to "trial" at home first. So do remember to trial with your child before the trip if he/she usually only eat homemade meals…

[Joy]

I always bring everything extra till my luggage is overloaded all the time…


For food, I think in japan is quite easy, the sushi comes into handy.

Milk, I also bring extra.

As to how to handle baby in the aircraft, I guess just take one thing at a time…we never know what the baby is going to react.

I remember I used to worry so much about travelling , once upon a time, till I dare not take the first step in flying…lesson learnt, once u step out, u will find that you want to travel more and more…its not a nightmare…u will enjoy…afterall, its a good bonding with the child too…

[smurf]

Busymom:

So far, we have been able to get past security with water for the children, water for making milk and water in water bottle. Sometimes, security may just ask you to drink the water in front of them. It also helps if the child is still rather young. Of course, don't kick up a scene if the security officer disallows it.


We usually use hot water from the plane. As for cool water, if you didn't manage to get past security with your own water, try asking the flight attendants for water from bottled water. Also, another way is to get hot water from the plane, asked for the amount that you need for making that 200ml of milk for instance, and let the water cool down naturally. In this case, bring along a themos to store the hot water that you will need later. This is what we do before landing.

As for asking the airline, they can't really advise. It really depends on the airport security officer.

I know some would just ask you to pour away the water. regardless of reason. very mean right? but that is to protect other passengers.

[smurf]

Busymom:

Yes, certain places in Tokyo can be crowded, usually the shopping belt area e.g. Shibuya, etc. However, the other places such as parks, gardens, shrines are fine from our past experiences. A good place to go to is the Oedo-Onsen Monogatari. Of course, you have to decide if your child is old enough for the onsen.

If you avoid the train stations during the morning rush hour, I think it is not that bad.

As for the restaurants, check if they have baby chairs before you go in. Also, look around at the restaurant, its patrons, etc. before you decide whether to eat there. Most restarants do not have a smoke-free area. If you see a table of working men, best not to sit next to them.

going with toddler usually no choice, limited places that you can go...parks and parks and more parks. hahah.
I seldom see playground in Tokyo?? for train station, no, the train stations are crowded regardless of time. even at 10pm! astonishing hor? but that's Tokyo. maybe some small train stations not as crowded as those major ones. I dunno about other cities in Japan, maybe not so crowded.

I remember when I went there, I asked for baby chair, ask until I fed up, because none of them have baby chair! strange right? cos I thought it shouldn't be so, especially since they have very nice toilet with baby friendly facilities and such.
and also, sometimes when toddler want to eat, no time to go find out so many things lah. best is to do homework first before travel.



think we OT too much already.hahha



anyway, got a question to ask: how did you guys make milk in hotel? do you use the hot flask provided or bring your own travel flask? :?

and for washing leh? do you wash in the bathroom or ask for room service? I just wash them in the toilet. I dun use hot flask, I use bottled water. but DS1 complained that the milk not warm, it's cold actually. (cos was winter). so he din want to drink.

[Busymom]

smurf:

going with toddler usually no choice, limited places that you can go...parks and parks and more parks. hahah.
I seldom see playground in Tokyo??

For Tokyo, we were actually quite happy to go to their gardens, parks and shrines as both times were during the cherry blossom period. The rest of the time, we just walked around, looked for stuff to buy, spent time inside their famous department stores (e.g. Mitsukoshi, Tokyu Hand)... already time no enough for us. :lol:

By the way, think Ueno Park has a zoo and they have panda bears there. Unfortunately, DH brought the kids there on a wrong day and the zoo was closed. They subsequently went shopping nearby and found some busy streets with shops/stalls selling dried food stuff (see pic), fruits, tea leaves, clothes and seafood even, if not mistaken. It was definitely a fun day for them.

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pqcf2hr

smurf:

for train station, no, the train stations are crowded regardless of time. even at 10pm! astonishing hor? but that's Tokyo. maybe some small train stations not as crowded as those major ones. I dunno about other cities in Japan, maybe not so crowded.

Didn't have this impression last year when we were there. We were staying in Ginza area. Osaka was ok as well from what I remembered.

smurf:

I remember when I went there, I asked for baby chair, ask until I fed up, because none of them have baby chair! strange right? cos I thought it shouldn't be so, especially since they have very nice toilet with baby friendly facilities and such.
and also, sometimes when toddler want to eat, no time to go find out so many things lah. best is to do homework first before travel.

Yes, it is not easy to find a restaurant with baby chair. In case anyone is planning to go to Ueno park, there are some very nice family restaurants opposite the park (you'll see them when you walk to the park from the train station). At least one of those restaurants that we went to has a baby chair. The food was cheap, yet fantastic. We took a picture of a bowl of noodles with moving chopsticks outside one of the restaurants - it was quite a funny signt.

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gxsopAJ

I did resort to carrying DD on my lap on occasions when we were eating at shops that sold only ramen. A bit pathetic indeed.

smurf:

anyway, got a question to ask: how did you guys make milk in hotel? do you use the hot flask provided or bring your own travel flask? :?

and for washing leh? do you wash in the bathroom or ask for room service? I just wash them in the toilet. I dun use hot flask, I use bottled water. but DS1 complained that the milk not warm, it's cold actually. (cos was winter). so he din want to drink.

The hotels in Japan usually has an electric water boiler/dispensing pot. We used that to make milk and cereal at night and in the morning. For cool water, we usually use bottled water. We also filled our themos flask with hot water from the hotel room before going out. So far, no issue.

As for washing, we do that ourselves in the bathroom. I would recommend using hot water from the electric pot (not from bathroom as water there would not be hot enough) to sterilise the bottles once before using them. DH was lazy and did not do that when we were in Japan the first time with DD. I sterilised them for the first few nights, but was overwhelmed by other things along the way. Lesson learnt after DD had a bad case of diarrhoea towards the end of the trip. For DS, as I had bought a portable steam steriliser, we always travel with that plus a stainless steel basin which makes sterilising other things much easier. The basin doubles up as a wash basin for the bottles too.