Heeeelp! Travelling to Oz with baby + toddler, should we take pushchair?!

[Jennlx]

We're going on a two week holiday to see family in Melbourne with our 3 month old and 2 year old. Yes, we're mad. To be honest, I haven't really worked out a good way of travelling with the two of them at home, let alone in another country! I normally carry the baby in a Baby Bjorn, but she is a chunky baby (98th centile!) and my back is suffering. Plus, she gets very hot and rashy in it. My 2 year old is starting to resist the pushchair, so we just have a very heavy and cumbersome secondhand Maclaren double pushchair which I have no desire to bring with us. We will be taking public transport mostly in Oz too so don't really want to buy a decent double pushchair. Any thoughts on what to do to transport them around? We were actually considering bringing two single pushchairs so we could maybe only use them both when absolutely needed, but most often using the carrier and pushchair and we could alternate them? (put toddler in it when tired, pop baby in it when he's happy to walk). We're not planning on madly sightseeing and will be a chilled out break, so this may work. Anyone had this issue before and have any suggestions? Much appreciated! :)

Get a proper sling eg ergo for baby. Then a lightweight pushchair for either, check its ok from 3 m though as some don't recline much and are from 6m. IMO the 3 m will be fine travelling, but the 2 yr old is harder.

Stickers, lots of new little toys and books from charity or pound shop and resort to game of video on your phone or iPad etc on flight. And loads of snacks and a change of clothes for all of you. Ds2 did a huge vomit on DH on a plane and he had no clean clothes so had to sit for 4 hrs like it!

Oh and I'd only take one pushchair, can mostly have baby in sling but if nec can swap and toddler walk or be carried. Don't take double.

Slings v popular in aus even in heat.

We did the flight when we had 9m old and 2.5yr old. 9m old nightmare as wanted to crawl/cruise everywhere.

Where are you fying through? Singapore v good.

I would stick to the one pushchair with a sling that didn't make baby itchy as it will be worse over there. Also have you thought about a Buggy board for the 2 year old to take breaks on? How good is he at walking?
On the plane I would take iPad or similar maybe nintendo ds to keep him entertained colouring pens travel games your 3 month old would be fine and happy to sleep most of it try putting dh at the back of plane with 2 yo and u sit at front with baby :) Lol
So jealous your going away though we had to cancel our holiday this year as I'm due in September :(

Good luck

Can't your family borrow a buggy from a friend for you to use?

I would take a MacLaren buggy (I have a Techno XT and it's great for a big toddler but also suitable for birth - so you can use it for both children) and a proper baby carrier (the baby bjorn is a back killer!). I have an Ergo and absolutely love it! You can even carry the toddler in it, as it's suitable for children up to 18kg.

We've traveled to Italy in the summer with the Ergo and it was fab! (no buggy at the time, but DS was 1yo then. We just carried him everywhere) It doesn't cover the child too much, so DS wasn't very hot (and it was incredibly hot in there!). On top of that, I used a moist (well, wet) muslim cloth over him, specially when he was sleeping, and it was enough.

I'm sure you will be fine with an Ergo and a light MacLaren.

Such good advice!! Thanks so much! OK, have Maclaren XT Techno, so that's coming and think I will buy Ergo (bit concerned not front facing as LO inquisitive age, any other suggestions?). I have also bought a buggyboard but fitted it to iCandy Cherry and it was a disaster - my DS kept bashing his head on the handlebar, so now has a fear of it. But may try and take it on the Maclaren to the park and see how he goes. He can stand between the two handlebars so might be OK! Thanks for travelling tips also - ewww, will def bring change of clothes for us! Thanks again! :o

Ideally the child should be supported by the bottom in a baby carrier, in the same position as when they're seating, and not by the crotch, which is the case with the carriers that allow front facing. I've read many explanations of why the "crotch dangling" position is not good for them, but can't remember the technicalities now... (and I can imagine for the child it might feel a bit uncomfortable for long periods, while seating on the bottom is the natural position)

Does your baby "complain" when they're facing you in the baby bjorn? I'm asking it because my DS is very inquisitive and curious, and seems perfectly contented with the sideways view from the carrier. Alternatively you can use the Ergo on your back (or even on the hip) and then your baby will have more of a view.

PS: Change of clothes is important in long haul a flight! Very first trip with DS, 12 hour flight, and I managed to pour a whole glass of orange juice over myself still in the airport! I've never done something like that before or after, but I was glad I had spare clothes :)