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

Someone once said that after the birth of the first child, their parents' holidays will never be the same as before. Changes in habits, the need for constant "vigilance" over the child and perpetual exhaustion are phenomena that do not disappear with the arrival of holidays. Can this be avoided? Unfortunately, the answer is: NO. Fortunately, going away with children (especially small ones) does not have to be a nightmare. How can we avoid it? The best way is to read the guide below.

Safe and Peaceful Travel

Often, the travel itself keeps parents awake at night and is a source of the greatest stress. It is 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, have quite a lot of space, do not inconvenience other passengers when the kids are fussy, and 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 throughout the journey - if they are restless, that can be a significant challenge for both them and the parents.
• airplane - flight connections within Poland are already quite well developed. The travel time is undoubtedly a plus, while the relatively high cost is a downside. We can also take a stroller on the plane. Here, we must remember to prepare a lollipop/candy, headphones, or to breastfeed during takeoff and landing to prevent the child's ears from getting blocked, which can cause discomfort.
• train - one of the longer forms of travel. It provides the child with freedom of movement and a lot of space. A problem can be the relatively high temperature in the train. Sometimes convenient night connections are available - which makes travel significantly easier.

When traveling with the youngest, remember to secure them properly in their seat and install it according to the instructions (as much as possible, secure the seat facing the rear of the vehicle). In case of an accident, it is the children who are most at risk of injury, so do not allow older children to unbuckle their seatbelts or lie on the back seat. Remember to take breaks as needed - the youngest children should not spend too much time in the car seat. It is not a beneficial position for them, and it makes it difficult for them to breathe. Breaks should occur even every 0.5-1 hour for infants a few months old. 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?" - we can plan breaks or bring a few toys in the car. One of the parents can also sit with the children in the back. Sometimes night driving works well when the children are asleep.

Guesthouse vs Baby, or How to Reconcile Conflicting Interests?

At first glance, 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 only available for adults. Typically, children under 3 or 4 years old (it all depends on the owner) can stay for free.

What to Pack?

From a parent's perspective, the biggest challenge (also logistic) is traveling with a child aged 0-5 years. What is worth taking on such a trip? It often turns out that the child's "suitcase" is much larger than ours. Remember that we can buy most things at our destination if we're running out of space in the trunk ;) The following will certainly come in handy:

• Wraps or ergonomic carriers - ensure the proper posture of the child's body, avoid carrying the child facing outwards and using cheap carriers that do not provide proper hip support, known as "crotch danglers," where the child's weight relies heavily on the perineum.
• Foldable strollers - when choosing a stroller, consider whether we'll be traveling, as it's great if it folds into small sizes. There are strollers on the market that fold down to suitcase sizes. Check whether the "back" is breathable and if the cover has UV filters - this way, the stroller won't heat up as much, even if it's black.
• Bicycles and bike seats - often available for rent on-site.
• Travel cot (optionally can be rented on-site or the child can sleep with us).
• Travel bath - you can manage without it or rent it on-site (it's worth asking in advance if it's available).
• Favorite toys that will be especially 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 tears :) For example, you can see travel toys here
• Spare diapers for changing and swimming, muslin cloths, wet wipes (also useful for wiping faces and hands on the road). Optionally, you can also bring a changing mat (often included in the stroller bag, you can also buy a mat with a waterproof bottom or a travel changing mat for a few zlotys).
• Food and water supplies - remember that when outdoors and with increased physical activity, both we and the children need much more food and water. If the child is breastfed, we have a bit more room in the backpack ;) a water bottle will also come in handy. If we are formula feeding, it’s worth preparing several sets of small containers with pre-measured formula and bottles with boiled water - depending on how often the child eats, prepare as many sets as needed. This way, we always have fresh milk and mix the formula on-site.
• Children's cutlery and dishes, dishwashing liquid for children's items (if we use it) and a sponge.
• First aid kit - it should definitely include plasters and bandages, disinfectant, tick repellent, mosquito repellent, post-bite treatment, motion sickness medication, allergy medications, diarrhea medication, painkillers, and sunscreen for children, as well as any regularly taken medications.
• Hygiene products.
• Child's documents (e.g. identity card, health and vaccination book). Sometimes, they are needed for train travel to confirm identity and discounts.
• ID bracelet - it's good to have one, as it allows someone to easily notify us if they find the child. On the market, there are silicone bands with a parents' phone number or watch-type bands with a GPS transmitter.
• Clothes and footwear - prepare an appropriate stock (unless we can do laundry). Remember not to overheat the child and to dress them in one more layer than ourselves. If the child sweats, try to change them as soon as possible. Also, protect their head by putting on a breathable cap. As for footwear - as long as the child is not walking independently, we shouldn't put any shoes on them.
• Blankets - take one thinner and one thicker, as the weather may surprise us. If the child sleeps in a sleeping bag every day, take that too.
• Blanket or mat - we will definitely use them during breaks or for resting during the journey and mini-picnicking.
• Sunshade or tent.

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 goes for trips to the lake or the sea. Regardless of the chosen location, it's always good to take a sunscreen with a high factor and a hat. Also useful will be still water (for children, preferably spring or low-mineralized) in small bottles. It's crucial to remember not to cover the stroller with a blanket or diaper - this causes the temperature inside the stroller to become very high and rise rapidly. Use an umbrella or a sunshade to protect against sun or wind.

To Go or Not to Go?

Considering all the information above, deciding whether traveling with children makes sense can seem challenging. Parents know their children best and intuitively know how to prepare and whether their children handle travel well. And although such a trip comes with a number of difficulties (ensuring care, lack of free time, higher travel costs, stress), it also has many advantages. Firstly, children can go everywhere, whether it's mountains, lakes, or the sea. Secondly, family outings positively influence a child's development. Finally, thirdly, traveling with children is an opportunity to spend those few days together.

Do such benefits come at any cost?

We have also prepared a cheat sheet for you that will make packing easier:

List_of_items_to_pack_for_trip.pdf