You know, I'll be honest. I was going to write a "how to travel with an infant" post on return to Canada, but after four days of NOT knowing how to travel with an infant, I've discovered that would be along the lines of blind-leading-blind, one of my greatest pet peeves of bloggers/people. I think I'll wait for Emily from Our Nest in the City to teach us a lesson (after all, she's a true infant-travelling vet and there's GOT to be a post on the issue coming soon).
Instead, let me tell you about how not to travel with an infant.
- Don't decide that her schedule will adapt to yours, because sister, it won't. She naps at 10 AM / 2 PM / 6 PM your time? Time shift with her. In Cancun, we're working on 9 AM / 1 PM / 5 PM. Discovered this truth nugget on day 1.
- Don't turn down help.
- Don't have unrealistic expectations. Travelling is different than it used to be. We did see this one coming, but I suppose we didn't expect to be spending so much time in our hotel room as opposed to beside the pool. Day 2.
- Don't assume that she can sleep anywhere. She can't. Captain Distracto is four months old and any interesting sound, voice, accent, change in the colour of the sky... that'll keep her up. This is a day 3 lesson.
- Don't let her eat the bath water. The Caterpillar has figured out scooping water into her mouth. Wonderful. Maybe this has something to do with her nasty green poops. Or it could be the guacamole. Thankfully, she's rotavirus protected. Day 4.
- Don't think you can pack too many diapers. You can't. Diaper reserves are getting low and I'm getting more concerned about the ever-increased diaper wetting. Typically, she powers through 8 to 10 diapers a day. Somehow, we're moved up to 10 to 12 - significantly out of planning range. Day 4.
- Don't eat like you're on vacation. Sugar still acts like sugar, even in Cancun, meaning sugar keeps baby awake, meaning long, long, long sleepless nights. Day 2, 3 and 4.
- Don't go it alone. Yesterday John shot a wedding for 9 hrs. while I.. well, I went it alone. There was a little gnashing of teeth / tearing of cloth going on in my mind. I think I officially went gray. :( Day 4.
- Don't give up. Earlier today, I gave up. I cried on a pool deck, after ten minutes of baby-crying and searching for shade while trying to walk and nurse. I was, quite literally, a hot mess. My saving grace? One woman who came to lend a hand and said, with just the right dosage of empathy, "I remember those days". Those days are long days. They're beautiful days. They're filled with joy and learning and love. But yes, they're long, even in Cancun. John had ten minutes in between locations he was needed at and was able to give me a pair of free hands and a breather. I un-gave up, but if I had continued riding the give up train, oh gosh, this resort would have needed an evacuation. If I give up, The Caterpillar gives up, we all give up - there are many tears.
And there you have it. 9 do-nots of travelling with an infant. But that's not all - I have one more final do-not to close the post: - Do not stay at home and opt out of world travel and "wait 'till she's older", because despite all of the chaos and sometimes frustration, we've had so many laughs and so much fun with our Caterpillar in Cancun. This has strengthened my faith in the fact that we CAN do this - and maybe Scotland, or England, or Thailand, or Russia, and maybe the long list of places on our bucket list won't need to wait until we're retired. Together, John and I are having experiences that we'll be able to laugh about for years to come, and like with any new experience, this has been an awesome opportunity for our marriage to grow even stronger.
So do it. Travel with your infant. Lose your head in Cancun.
Thats so sweet Samantha. I'm sorry i''m not there to help. Maybe a vacation with me & Gary might not be so bad.....I'm glad you are not giving up, and remembering the gems and special moments of your experiences. This is a working vacation....so take it in stride and adjust your expectations. I love you all. xoxo
ReplyDeleteHaha, this post is great! I was thinking of writing a do's and don'ts post similar to this one in a month or two since we have done a fair amount of travelling with Raeca in the last year and a half.
ReplyDeleteI love #10 -it's so true!