How to Dress Babies for Summer Travel

Here’s our favorite look for Jellybean which she wore in Paris in June.

If you’re traveling with a baby, one of the first things you need to do during the planning phase is to find out what the weather would be like in your intended destination. Keeping your baby comfortable is key to having a hassle-free vacation. If your destination is in the peak of summer, you’re in luck! Its so much easier to travel and go out with small children during this season than it is during winter. However, there are still some considerations you need to take when packing his/her clothes. Here are some helpful tips on how to dress your baby for summer travel:

• Consider layering. It maybe hot outdoors but if you plan on seeing different malls, museums or other indoor air-conditioned places. The same is true if you are staying out late. The temperature may suddenly drop at night. Do the usual shirt/onesie with shorts combo that would be appropriate for the weather. Then, top it with a light cardigan or jacket which you can easily take on and off when you go inside different establishments.
• Sun protection is a must. A wide-brim hat can help protect the face and shoulders from burning. A sunscreen lotion for babies is always a good idea when it’s summer time.
• Choose fabrics that are lightweight and of lighter colors. Cotton is a great pick because its breathable. Lighter colors are said to reflect light and help keep your little one cool during the warm summer months.
• Don’t forget the swimwear. Whether its in the hotel pool or the local park, summer offers a lot of opportunity for water fun for your little one. Don’t let them miss out because you didn’t pack that tiny weeny baby bikini. Throw in a few swim nappies while you’re at it.
• Prepare the sleepwear. Summer nights in different countries may mean temperature drops. Bring two types of sleepwear for your baby — pyjamas made with light cotton and body suits (with foot covering) that are of a thicker material. This way, you’re prepared for sleep time whether it be cold or warm.
• Get eye protection for babies who are comfortable wearing them. Sunglasses or shades for babies are a huge hit for the mommy market with brands like Babiators on the top of that list. This is a good idea for babies who may not be into wearing wide-brim hats; combine a lightweight hoodie and sunglasses instead. Also, sunglasses make babies look really cool.

Other summer travel tips for babies:

• Consider bringing baby-safe mosquito repellents. These biters are most active during the summer season so bring that anti-mosquito patch or lotion just to keep them at bay.
• If you’re bringing a carrier, choose one with a mesh fabric. Or take a sling instead. Carriers can get hot and stuffy for a baby when you do some exploring.
• Babies are also more prone to heat rash during the summer season, bring an ointment for that or at least baby powder with cornstarch to alleviate the itching.

Enjoy your summer escapade!

How to Dress Babies for Winter Travel

February winter in Japan: Three layers on top and two on the bottom.

One of the most difficult things you can do when traveling with an infant is to go to a winter destination. While it can be quite lovely, especially with fresh fallen snow, younger kids are more difficult to dress during this season. Packing is an even more difficult task because winter clothes are extremely bulky. Here are our tips for dressing your baby for winter travel:

• Layering is an art for any parent traveling with a baby. This is a useful skill whether you are traveling during winter or summer, but becomes even more important during winter months. Remember, if you are going indoors and outdoors constantly during your sightseeing trips, you will need to take bulky jackets on and off. Even if it is just a short trip in an heated indoor environment, you need to take off at least one layer to prevent prespiration. Sweaty kids end up colder when they go back out in the snow.
• Wind protection is important. Do not underestimate the cold draft from a snow storm or simply the chilly winter wind. Protect your little ones with a light face mask and ear muffs. If a face mask is not available, a wool scarf can help. When covering up, ensure that there is no difficulty breathing.
• Steer clear of cotton. Depending on the temperature of your destination, the cold can be piercing and this easily goes through cotton clothing. Wool is your friend during winter.
• Don’t forget the gloves. Hands and feet are the easiest to get cold during winter travel. Bring at least two pairs of gloves or mittens for your baby. He or she maybe resistant at first, but don’t fret..it just takes a little getting used to.

• Boots and warm socks are a must – For kids who can already walk, get a good pair of boots and warm socks for little pre-walkers, a thick pair of booties will do.
• Choose fleece or wool headwear – Even with a hood, it is important to keep your baby’s head warm with either a bonnet or a hat. We recommend one that has extensions to cover the ears if you are not using an earmuff separately. Fleece does the job best.
• A warm inner layer is essential – Get thermal wear for kids or at least a fleece sleeper or a long-sleeved onesie for that first layer of protection. For the legs, Busha pants or warm leggings are ideal.
• Get a good protective outer layer- You need to have at least one good snowsuit, parka or bunting. Just to give you a brief overview of what these are: a bunting looks like a sleeping bag and is ideal for infants, snow suits have form fitting arms and legs, parkas are hooded winter gear lined with fur. Insulation and water repellent materials offer the best protection for your babe.
• Use footed sleepsuits at night. These are the one-piece body suits with long sleeves and covering for the feet. Nap time can be cozy when you use a flannel blanket to cover the cot. Loose beddings can be dangerous to kids, try a sleepsack instead. These are wearable blankets that allow kids to sleep comfortably and still have breathing room. Halo is a local brand in the Philippines for sleep sacks.

Smaller babies are unable to monitor and control their body heat. Over bundling leads to overheating and puts your child at risk for SIDS. During winter travel, make sure to check your baby often. It is advisable to add a layer of clothing more than what you would wear to keep kids warm without overheating them. If you want to check on your baby’s temperature, the belly or the back is a better indicator than his/her hands or feet.

Plan your itinerary well during winter travel with babies as you may need more time getting your little bundle of joy all bundled up.

Have a great winter trip!

Baby, Jet Set, Go! Destination Review : Singapore

They say only insane parents would travel with babies. Well, count us in! My husband and I believe that nothing can teach one as much about life as traveling. As such, we decide to celebrate each year of our daughter’s life with a visit to a new destination.

I’ve always loved Singapore. I’ve been there several times this decade. In fact, my very first out-of-the-country trip as a young traveler was in the city state. So, for her big O-N-E, that was naturally our first choice.

And it was the perfect choice. In our baby friendly scale, this country would hit the highest mark of 10/10.

The great travel experience starts the minute you land at Changi Airport. As we’ve shared before, traveling parents will need to gate-check their strollers. For those without cloth carriers, they usually end up carrying their kids until they get to the carousel. But not in Changi, here they thoughtfully provide strollers right at the area where you get off.

Singapore’s public transportation system is also among the most efficient in the world. Getting from the airport to your hotel is really hassle-free. Even with a huge stroller, you can ride the MRT which would take you across the island.

It’s also good to note for breastfeeding mommies that there are a lot of breastfeeding stations in different malls. There’s a huge mall along Orchard Road that even has two to three breastfeeding stations on every floor of the mall! And these are great, cozy places with comfortable seats, can fit your stroller and has a separate changing area with a sink and a water dispenser with hot and cold water.

There are a ton of places you can visit in Singapore that even a one-year old (or a much younger audience) would enjoy.

One of their more popular attractions is Universal Studios. There are several rides there for different ages, but if you’re traveling with an infant or a toddler the selection is a bit limited. I’d suggest Shrek’s 4D adventure and just settling for a walk around the park and watching shows such as the one with the Madagascar characters. The great thing about this baby-friendly place is that it allows parents to do switching. One parent can go on a ride while the other takes care of the baby, then they switch and the other parent can go on without having to line up. Just inform the attendant before one parent goes in. There’s also an area near the entrance for breastfeeding, changing and just relaxing with the kids. This is perfect when it gets too hot in the afternoon.

My daughter also loved South East Asia (S.E.A. Aquarium) in Sentosa Island. When we went there, it was the biggest of its kind. It has been a year and a half, so I’m not sure if they still hold this record. It really is a sight to behold, especially their jellyfish area and the biggest holding tank in the world which had manta rays, sharks and other humongous fish.

We were a bit pressed for time during this vacation but there are so many other places in Singapore where you can take younger kids. You can actually get packages for tourists at Changi Airport for other attractions such as the Night Safari, Jurong Bird Park, Singapore Flyer and so much more.

When it’s time to turn down, there are also hundreds of Singapore hotels available in the most accessible areas. We chose YWCA Fort Canning Lodge, which was a stone’s throw away from the shopping strip of Orchard Road. It offered a great family environment with a relaxing pool and a filling breakfast. Beds are comfortable and the room’s temperature is just right for an affordable good night’s sleep.

Baby, JetSet, Go! Destination Review: Tokyo

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Ah, Japan! No other country in the world has piqued my curiosity like this place has. For years, I’ve consumed so much of its culture — from anime to food, little trinkets to beginner Nihonggo lessons. It was one of those dream destinations I had as a teen that I was finally able to go to as an adult…and with a baby to boot. We decided on going to Tokyo for Jellybean’s second birthday, not just because I’ve always wanted to go there but because of her love for animals — cats, in particular. It was just the naturual choice given Japan is home to Hello Kitty and the birthplace of cat houses and cat cafés.

But how did it fare in our Baby-Friendly Meter? Sadly, not as well as we had hoped. We give it only a 8/10. We’ve talked about what a wonderful baby-friendly country Singapore is and that is always a good place to start the comparison. As with most parents who choose to travel with younger kids, gate checking the stroller has become common practice. Expect that your stroller will be among the things you have to wait for at the baggage carousel when you arrive at your destination. When you arrive at Narita Airport, expect to carry your baby or let him or her walk alongside you. If you are riding with JAL, you’re in luck because you can arrange for a stroller. If not, then a little patience goes a long way because Narita is a huge airport.

Do note that most international flights are routed through Narita Airport but there are more expensive options that can land you in Haneda which is closer to the city. Narita is a good hour and a half away and if you’re traveling with an infant, that trip alone can cause untimely tantrums.

TOKYO TIP #1: Know Your Transportation Options

Nex Train from the Narita Airport

When you get to the airport, you will have four options to get you into the city:

• Limousine Bus – This has limited stops and schedules so find out which one is closest to the hotel you book and if it is still available by the time your flight lands.
• Keisei Skyliner – This is the fastest way to get to Central Tokyo from Narita Airport. This gets you there in roughly 45 minutes with high speed trains at 160km/h. All seats are reserved. Fare is ¥2470.
• JR Narita Express (NEX)– A popular way to get into central Tokyo because discounts are available for foreign passport holders. They had a NEX-Suica card package but it was discontinued recently. It has been replaced by the NEX Tokyo Direct Ticket, which offers 50% to 75% discount to foreign travellers. You can get this from the JR East Travel Service Centers in Narita Airport.
• Grab a cab going to Central Tokyo – That will cost you somewhere around ¥10,000 (almost PHP5,000), so it is best to take the train or bus options as these are relatively cheaper.

Japan’s transport system is extremely efficient, but you need to be really good with directions as it can get confusing. Get a hold of the train system map as soon as you arrive at the airport. Find a copy that combines the railway, the subway and the bus lines and map out your route so you know where to get down. For those traveling with babies, this is where we score the country low. When it comes to the Metro Rail and JR train systems, they are not all accessible by elevators. A stroller, which is my best friend when moving around with a kid, becomes a liability instead of an asset. Aside from carrying the baby up a flight of stairs, you also need to think of how you will drag that one bulky item. A sling or a baby carrier would have been more useful for this trip.

TOKYO TIP #2: Prepare for the weather.
This a country with 4 seasons. We were there in mid-February right after a major snow storm. Which meant 2-degree weather anywhere you go. The cold can be biting and the snow slippery. When traveling with a baby to Tokyo, you need to make sure you can bundle up your little one.

Snowy day at Omote-sando

TOKYO TIP #3: Have the budget for it.
For several years now, Tokyo has bagged the top spot as the most expensive city in the world. Before you take that trip, make sure you have the budget for it. Aside from the expensive plane fare to get there, a day can easily run you up to ¥10,000 for food, hotel and transportation.

Speaking of money, get your Pesos changed before you board the plane bound for Japan. Unlike most countries, money changers are hard to come by in Tokyo. Even more difficult is getting your Peso changed to Yen, you may want to carry US Dollars instead of the Philippine currency if you are unable to get your Yen before you leave.

One more thing, carry change when you go out. Tokyo is known for its quirky vendo machines (that are found in even the oddest places). You may want to taste that weird-sounding soda or maybe even grab some fresh, hot ramen right at the train station. Make sure you have loose change just for this. There are also vendo-type restaurants that would let you choose your meal before going into the establishment — drop in a few coins, pick your food and out comes the ticket. When you step into the restaurant, hand the order ticket to the counter and you’ll get your food in as little as five minutes. This is a wonderful way to bridge that language barrier because you get to choose your food just with pictures!

Vendo shopping for dinner. Average price is about ¥700 for a rice meal.

Tokyo: Tonkatsu for dinner.

TOKYO TIP #4: Plan your itinerary well

Well, this isn’t really just for Tokyo, but for any trip you take with small children. Tokyo can be many things for different travelers. It can offer you a phenomenal pop culture experience, immerse you in unique culture, feed your technophile fancy and many other things. Here’s what we did in our 3-day Tokyo trip with our toddler:

Day 1: Harajuku 
Like most of the contrasting elements of Japan, you’ll find the fancy Omote-sando shopping area right beside the Takeshita-Dori — the center of cosplay and youth culture of Japan.

Omote-sando is their version of Champs-Elysees with the high-end stores along a kilometer-long stretch, tree-lined avenue with the top brands from around the globe. The largest Louis Vuitton store is found here. Most stores open late (from 11am onwards), so arriving early gave us time to go souvenir shopping in Oriental Bazaar on this street. This huge three-story building holds everything quintessentially Japanese — from pottery to paintings, antiques and tchotchkes — all right within a decent budget. Our top find were the yukatas (summer kimono) which cost us ¥1200 for the toddler version and ¥4500 for the adult version.

Kiddy Land is also in this street. This is a must-see for those traveling with small children. It is Tokyo’s most popular toy store. The five-storey building has every cartoon character imaginable. It has separate floors for Snoopy Town and Hello Kitty Shop.

Intersecting with Omote-sando is Takeshita-Dori, the heart of Harajuku culture. This pedestrian-only street is lined with boutiques, cafes and restaurants representative of everything young Japan. If you’re there on a Sunday morning, you might find some teens in their full cosplay gear.

In Takeshi-Dori, home of cosplay and Japan youth culture.

Day 2: Ikebukuro
Another popular tourist destination for those with children, Ikebukuro is home to Sunshine City. This is a a 60-storey entertainment center for kids and adults. The top floor of the building has an observatory. To access this, you will need to brave your fear of heights and ride the world’s fastest elevator which ascends the building with a speed of 600 miles/hr.

See how fast we were going?

View from the top of Sunshine City

This commercial complex also has a state-of-the-art aquarium, a planetarium, a theater, a museum and an indoor theme park called Namco Namja Town. This is one of the few baby-friendly establishments in Tokyo – everything is easily accessible and you can even borrow a stroller by leaving an ID. Here, you’ll find the 8-storey Tokyu Hands which has literally everything you need.

Tokyu Hands in Sunshine City, Ikebukuro

On the 8th floor of the building is one of Tokyo’s most popular cat houses – Nekobukuro. For ¥600 per person (or ¥1000 for a couple, babies get in for free), you can spend all day petting exotic, beautiful cats that are pretty friendly (as far as cats go). This was actually the highlight of our entire Japan trip.

Jellybean petting a cat in Nekobukuro

Staring contest with the black kitty at Nekobukuro

Ikebukuro is also said to rival the popular tourist destination of Akihabara in electronics. You will find huge electronics shops left and right as soon as you alight the train.

Also in Ikebukuro is the huge department store Seibu. It is popular for the KitKat Chocolatory, it is the only boutique store for this chocolate brand in the world. Different days offer different flavors. We were only able to sample the two flavors that were available late in the day: Cheesecake KitKat and Chilli KitKat – both were worth the trip to the city.

The KitKat Chocolatory in Seibu, Ikebukuro. The only KitKat boutique store in the world.

Day 3: Ginza 
Ginza is the jump off point for the Tsukiji Fish Market. This is an activity for early risers. The tuna auction starts at 4am but spots are limited to 120 tourists a day. If you want to catch all the action, you need to be up by 2:30 and grabbing a cab to the biggest fish market in the world before dawn.

Ginza is, by far, the most expensive city in Tokyo. It is the prime shopping spot for luxury brands. On the Chuo-dori strip were famous department stores like Misukoshi, Matsuya, Wako and Matszakaya stand. The world’s largest Chanel boutique is located here as well as Tiffany with Tiffany Café and a Dunhill Concept Shop. For serious shoppers, this is heaven.

But we went to (and stayed in; see Dai-ichi Hotel Annex) Ginza because of Nishi street. This is where the flagship store of Sanrio is (in the Nishi Department Store). They have a whole floor devoted to Hello Kitty! . For our two-year-old (and for her child-at-heart mommy), this was heaven. There were Hello Kitty items you won’t find anywhere else in the world from the ¥150,000 MacBook Air with Swarovski Hello Kitty detail to the ¥18,000 Hello Kitty engagement ring.

Flagship Sanrio store inside Nishi Department Store in Ginza.

Hello Kitty MacBook

Along the same street are the 8-storey Sony Building showroom and the 5-storey Apple building. These are great places for pre-teens to visit. We were there two days before the official launch of PlayStation4 and the Sony building’s top floor was just for demo and testing several units and games. At the Apple Building, we enjoyed playing around with their different gadgets. They even had a theater where you can watch demos of the latest technology, and rest your weary feet.

The Apple Showroom in Ginza, Tokyo

Inside Sony Building: Playing with PS4 before it launches to the public in 3 days.

Baby, JetSet, Go! Destination Review: Munich, Germany

When we were planning to get our Schengen Visa, Germany wasn’t among our top choices of countries to visit that were listed among the member states. It only happened that my husband was there for training that we ended up getting our visa from the German embassy. We also decided to enter Europe through Munich to meet my husband and to spend a day or two in the city. And it was such a great experience that I now rate it among our top vacation spots. Munich is known for its world-famous beer gardens and as host to Octoberfest activities. But it is actually much more than that. I highly recommend visiting this city when traveling with a child to Europe.

If we rate this on our Baby-friendly scale, we would put it at 9/10. Getting through the Franz Josef Strauss International Airport is relatively easy because the layout is easier to navigate than most international airports (although it is the second biggest in Germany and the seveth biggest in Europe). Plus, it is very well appointed. It gives easy access to public transport (train system) and has additional amenities like shower areas. Munich is the third largest city in Germany but is easy to explore because of its super efficient trains and trams — when the counter says the train will be there in one minute, you could literally count it down to the second. It has been rated as the world’s most liveable city with the highest quality of life and is also considered among one of the safest cities in the world.

Munich International Airport

This capital city of the state of Bavaria offers many astounding sights to behold due to its medieval architecture that are still very well preserved. Even with the great transport system, we enjoyed just walking around the city with our two-year-old. We stayed at a hotel just a corner off the main train station (Munich Hauptbahnhof) in the city centre. Yet, on our first day in, we just walked from Karlsplatz all the way to Hofgarten, passing through the main square of Marienplatz. It’s amazing to see medieval fortifications standing the test of time. Rathaus-Glockenspiel, Isartor, Sendlinger Tor and Karlstor are all must-see attractions. The weather is cool and crisp during the onset of summer, so even if the entire walk took about 5 hours back and forth, it was well worth it (and take note, we did this with a toddler on a cloth carrier)

Toy store in Karlsplatz

Karlstor in Munich

Neues Rathaus, Marienplatz

Hoftgarten, Munich

Our second day was spent mostly at the Englischer Garten. This beautiful garden in the city is huge! They say it’s even bigger than Central Park in New York. We saw the famous Eisbach surfers, had our picnic in the park and dipped our feet in the frigid water of the river that ran through the city. Towards the end of the day, we walked to the famous Chinese Pagoda Biergarten. It would have been another amazing night with great food, relaxing music in a fun environment, too bad we were rained in and had to leave early.

Picnic in the English Garden

A river runs through the Englischer Garten. Anyone can swim but the water is soooo cold.

People in Munich are extremely nice and helpful. Despite the language barrier, a lot of the residents would approach us to talk to us in German when they see us carrying a baby. BTW, we visited Germany at the opening week of the 2014 World Cup, so the beergardens were always a great place to hangout in whatever time of the day. For those who are hesitant about bringing little kids to a beer garden, set your worries aside, it is perfectly alright to do so. In fact, my baby loved the lip-smacking food and the gigantic pretzels. Some beer gardens even have a play area for kids.

Munich is a great place to visit even for those with infants and smaller kids.