Polish Travel [#24] - How to travel with a child in Poland?

Someone once said that after the birth of their first child, parents’ holidays will never be the same again. Changes in habits, the necessity for constant "vigilance" over the child, and perpetual fatigue are phenomena that do not disappear with the arrival of the holiday. Can this be avoided? Unfortunately, the answer is: NO. Fortunately, traveling with children (especially small ones) does not have to be a nightmare. How can we avoid this? The best way is by reading the guide below.

A safe and peaceful journey

Often, the journey itself keeps parents awake at night and is a source of the greatest stress. It's worth preparing well, which will prevent unnecessary nerves. We have several means of transport to choose from, each with its pros and cons:

• car - we can pack freely, we have quite a lot of space, we don't inconvenience other passengers if the children are fussy, we can take a break at any time to stretch our legs or visit something along the way. We can easily divide the journey into several stages. The downside is that children are strapped in their seats for the entire trip - if they are restless, this can be a significant challenge for both them and their parents.
• plane - flight connections within Poland are now quite well developed. The plus is undoubtedly the travel time, while the downside is the relatively high cost. We can also bring a stroller on the plane. Here, we need to remember to prepare a lollipop/candy, headphones or to breastfeed during take-off and landing to prevent the child's ears from blocking, which can cause discomfort.
• train - one of the longer forms of travel. It provides the child with freedom of movement and plenty of space. A potential problem could be the relatively high temperature in the train. Sometimes convenient night connections are available - which makes traveling much easier.

When traveling with the youngest, let’s remember to properly secure them in their seats and install them according to the instructions (ideally, keep the seat facing the rear for as long as possible). In the event of an accident, it is children who are most at risk of injury, so do not allow older children to unbuckle their seat belts or lie on the back seat. Remember to take appropriately frequent breaks - the youngest children should not spend too much time in the car seat. This position is not beneficial to them and can make breathing difficult. Breaks should occur every 0.5-1 hour for infants a few months old. Also, keep this in mind when going for a walk - avoid attaching the car seat to the stroller frame if you know the child will spend more than an hour in it.

How can we make traveling easier for the youngest? We often hear "are we there yet?" - breaks will be helpful or bringing a few toys for the car. One of the parents may also sit with the children in the back. Sometimes nighttime driving can work when the children are asleep.

Guesthouse and a baby, or how to reconcile conflicting interests?

On the surface, everything sounds great. Practically every guesthouse tolerates small children - if we want to go on holiday without children, of course, we will also find places available only for adults. It’s standard to have a child stay free if they are under 3 or 4 years old (everything depends on the owner).

What to pack?

From a parent's perspective, the biggest challenge (also logistical) is going on a trip with a child aged 0-5 years. What should we take for such a trip? It often turns out that the child's "suitcase" is much larger than ours. Remember that most things can be bought on site if we start running out of space in the trunk ;) The following items will definitely be useful:

• Wraps or ergonomic carriers - ensure the correct posture of the child's body; avoid carrying the child facing outward and in cheap carriers that don't provide appropriate hip support, such as "crotch holders", where the weight of the child rests on the crotch.
• Folding strollers - when choosing a stroller, it’s worth considering whether we will be traveling; it’s great if it folds down to a small size. There are strollers on the market that fold down to the size of a suitcase. Check if the "back" is breathable and if the cover has UV filters - as this will prevent the stroller from overheating, even if it’s black.
• Bicycles and bike seats - can often be rented on site.
• Travel cot (optionally, you can rent a cot on-site or the child can sleep with us).
• Portable bath - you can manage without it or rent one on-site (ask in advance if it’s available).
• Favorite toys, which will be particularly useful during the journey. It’s good if they have a clip for the stroller or car seat - this way they won't get lost and we can avoid crying :) Examples of travel toys can be seen, for instance, here
• Spare diapers for changing and for the pool, cotton diapers, wet wipes (these will also be useful for wiping the face and hands on the go). Optionally, you can also take a changing mat (often included with the stroller bag, you can also buy a diaper with a waterproof layer on the bottom or a travel changing mat for a few zlotys).
• Spare food and water - remember that when being outdoors with increased physical activity, both we and children need much more food and water. If the child is breastfed, then we have a bit more space in the backpack ;) a water bottle will also be useful. If we are formula feeding, it’s worth preparing a few sets of small containers with the measured amount of powder and bottles with boiled water - depending on how often the child eats, prepare that many sets. This way, we always have fresh milk and prepare the mix on the go.
• Cutlery and dishes for children, detergent for washing children's utensils, if we use it, and a sponge.
• First aid kit - should definitely include plasters and bandages, a disinfectant, tick repellent, mosquito repellent, for bites, anti-motion sickness medication, antihistamines, anti-diarrhoea medicine, pain relievers, sunburn cream, and any medications the child takes regularly.
• Toiletries.
• Child’s documents (e.g. ID card, health and vaccination book). Sometimes it's needed when traveling by train for identity verification and discounts.
• Identification bracelet - it's worth having; this way, someone can easily inform us about finding the child. There are silicone bracelets on the market with a parent’s phone number or watch-type bands with a GPS transmitter.
• Clothes and shoes - prepare an adequate supply (unless we can do laundry). Remember not to overheat the child and dress them one layer more than ourselves. If the child sweats, try to change them as soon as possible. Protect their head by putting on a breathable cap. As for footwear - until a child can walk independently, we should not put any shoes on them.
• Blankets - take one thin and one thick; the weather may surprise us. If the child sleeps in a sleeping bag daily, take that too.
• A blanket or mat - we will definitely use them during breaks or to rest on the way and for a mini-picnic.
• An umbrella or sunshade.

Before you go...

When going to the mountains, always remember to have a comfortable wrap or carrier. During mountain trips, a parent's hands should be free. The same applies to trips to the lake or the sea. Regardless of the chosen location, it’s always worth taking high SPF sunscreen and a hat. You will also need still water (for children, preferably spring or low-mineral water) in small bottles. Be sure to remember not to cover the stroller with a blanket or diaper - this can cause the temperature in the stroller to rise very high and increase rapidly. To protect against the sun or wind, use an umbrella or sunshade.

To go or not to go?

Given all the information above, the decision on whether traveling with children makes sense can seem difficult. Parents know their children best and intuitively understand how to prepare and whether their children handle travel well. And while such a trip comes with a series of challenges (ensuring care, lack of free time, higher travel costs, stress), it also has its advantages. First, you can travel with children everywhere, whether it’s mountains, lakes or the sea. Second, family trips positively impact a child's development. Finally, thirdly, traveling with children is an opportunity to spend those few days together.

Do such benefits have any price at all?

We’ve also prepared a cheat sheet for you, which will help with packing:

Packing_list_for_the_trip.pdf