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Peripatetic Parenting
Lisa is a London-based lawyer who loves to explore the world. She talks about how her baby didn’t stop her from traveling but made it a different but equally rewarding endeavor and shares her tips for the travel-savvy new mom.
When did you start traveling with Oliver Marc?
We started traveling with Oliver Marc just before he turned three months. Travel gives me time to think, ideate, observe and learn new things – culture, food, history. It also gives a lot of time to introspect and understand on how certain things are done around the world. You sort of get a benchmark on life. Now I get to share this experience with Oliver Marc!
How did it feel to travel for the first time with a newborn?
Terrifying! And unpredictable. Aside from all the additional luggage, we really had no idea how he would react to being on a plane or the adjustments to his routine. In the end, we asked a lot of other veteran flying moms for advice and survived the first trip. The flight wasn’t very long, 2.5 hours to a wedding in Montenegro, but we ended up spending his first night away eating (very bad) room service at the hotel.
There’s not as much spontaneity and certainly less active adventure, but it’s still a lot of fun to see the world as a family of three.
What have you learned while travelling with Oliver Marc?
As a couple, we love adventure traveling and I thought we’d be able to fling him over our shoulder and bring him along with us everywhere we go. I soon realised that whilst he can definitely travel with us, it does cost more and it requires a lot more organisation. Olive Marc is mixed fed, express and formula, so always calling the hotels in advance to make sure someone can help us sterilise bottles, a cot is in the room or that there is a bath tub for him (mom hack: if there is only a big tub and you don’t want to shower too, throw towels at the bottom of the tub so he/she won’t slide around). There’s not as much spontaneity and certainly less active adventure, but it’s still a lot of fun to see the world as a family of three.
Looking back at your years traveling, how does your packing style differ now that you travel with Oliver Marc?
Gone are the days of carry on only and arriving at the airport at the very last minute! We’ve been on mainly long weekends with Oliver Marc and normally we wouldn’t dream of needing any more than a carry on, but for our last three day trip to Provence for a wedding, we carried two large checked in suitcases, two carry on suitcases, his travel/diaper bag, my back pack, my husband’s back pack, our travel stroller and our car seat. That said, on our next international trip for 10 days, it likely won’t change very much so that’s a bonus.
Gone are the days of carry on only and arriving at the airport at the very last minute!
What are your some of your favorite things to pack for you and Oliver Marc?
Obviously destination specific, but of course the summer/holiday outfits I wouldn’t normally have him in at home. Also, a lot more travel items made specifically for the baby. For example, the travel stroller (babyzen yoyo) is a lifesaver and very light (versus our daily stroller which is the bugaboo cameleon). I bring a lot of the same stuff we use at home so we don’t have to get him used to both the foreign hotel room and a new swaddle/bottle etc. and the sleepyhead/Dock-a-tot. Terribly inconvenient space wise, but fantastic for getting him to sleep.
Where are you planning to jet set next? Any tips for other belly brief moms out there?
We’re heading to Asia in a week to visit family in Hong Kong and then to Bali for my birthday. Still ticking off items on the bucket list but with more planning!
As a couple, we love adventure traveling and I thought we’d be able to fling him over our shoulder and bring him along with us everywhere we go.
