Traveling SE Asia with a toddler

[FHmama99]

Hi all!

Last year we had a very traumatic time as my baby boy sadly had to have his leg amputated. Since then we are determined to live life to the fullest and make as many memories as possible!

Next year (along with my partner/my toddlers stepdad) we're taking my boy traveling around South East Asia for two months.

We’re still mulling over where to go. We are definitely going to Thailand and Indonesia - whether we focus on traveling around those two countries alone or we add on an extra country I’m not sure yet!

I’m a very experienced traveler (36 countries so far) however traveling with a child is a different story! He will be 3, almost 4 at the time of our travels.

Has anyone been to that part of the world before with a young child? Even I struggle to adapt to Asia time zone so a little bit worried about that in particular? Any tips/advice?

Booking the flights very soon and I am very excited! 😊

I have no advice to offer as our baby is much younger but I hope to do a similar trip in a few years so I shall keep my eyes on this thread.

I think it's a wonderful plan, I hope you have a great adventure, and it helps you all on the journey of life after such a hard year.

My partner was taken on lots of far flung travels when he was very young and it became an important part of his identity and view of the world, knowing that his mum had taken him to different places and also the memories he had of travelling from an early age. Wishing you every happiness!

We took ours to Thailand and Vietnam at that age and it was great. Everyone there seemed to love little kids and they thought he was adorable. The hotels were very accommodating and at markets vendors would give him free fruit and show him fun things. My older son was bemused as he didn’t get nearly so much attention!

General advice for travelling with a toddler.

1. pack a few new toys that you can bring out for each flight. Include activity and colouring books.

2. pack their favourite snack just in case they go through an 'I won't eat anything but pasta' phase.

3. go slow / at their pace. Alternate between chilled out pool days and sightseeing.

4. if you can, have shorter flights with more stop overs. Especially if toilet training has only just happened. I hate airplane toilets as an adult.

5. take a comfort toy from home but have strict rules about it being in backpacks through airports.

6. at busy places like airports or tourist sights, point out staff members / safe places to go if they get lost. Remind them though to keep eyes on you / dad at all times.

7. don't let them touch any animals or plants!

8. if your child has blond hair and blue eyes, expect people to want to take their picture (and not always ask you) MiL found this a big issue when they lived in Singapore and Hong Kong. I found it an issue with tourists from that region when in Dubai.

9. take a good first aid kit with you.

How did you find adjusting the time difference with children?☺️

Thankyou so much everyone so far for your suggestions!

Keeping an eye on this thread too! I’m originally from SE Asia but been living in the UK for almost 10 years. We have a trip coming up back to SE Asia in January next year with my toddler who will be 2.5 (and husband + grandparents)