“Tum log itne chhote bacchon ke saath kaise travel kar lete ho?” — A friend asked us recently, after watching our stories from the hills with our baby crawling by a riverside.
And honestly, we’ve heard this question a hundred times.
When we first started exploring with our son Almeer, he was barely 3 months old. We were new parents—overwhelmed, under-slept, and deeply in need of some fresh air and stillness. But our desire to step out into nature never faded.
So, how did we do it?
We didn’t have it all figured out. But over time, we learned some little hacks and desi tricks that helped us travel with ease, especially when you’re not traveling in luxury or in big cars, but in shared taxis, trains, or on foot.
Here’s our story and some tips we swear by.
🌟 Start with the Right Mindset: You Can Travel with a Baby
Let’s get this out of the way: Babies don’t need perfect setups to be happy. They need comfort, care, and closeness. If you’re confident, your baby senses it too.
🚚 Pack Light, But Pack Smart
We’re minimalistic travelers, but when it comes to babies, there are some non-negotiables. Our packing usually includes:
- One medium trolley bag for clothes and essentials
- One trekking backpack for daily use
- One side handbag for quick-access baby needs
Essentials we always pack:
- Light cotton clothes for layering
- A small blanket
- A baby carrier (our lifesaver on hikes!)
- Reusable cloth diapers or eco-friendly disposables
- Wet wipes + baby-safe sanitiser
- A few toys/books
- A thermos flask
- Light baby-friendly snacks (ragi cookies, roasted makhanas)
✅ Desi Remedies: Our Baby Travel First-Aid Kit
Illnesses happen—weather change, water change, new food, or just too much stimulation. So we carry our little kit of desi nuskhas:
- Hing (asafoetida): for gas, applied with warm water around the navel
- Cold-pressed coconut oil or mustard oil: for massage and cold protection
- Eucalyptus essential oil: few drops on bedding or diffuser for blocked nose
- Dry roasted ajwain in potli: to smell or rub near chest during congestion
- Raw honey: for minor coughs (only after 1 year)
- Rock salt + mustard oil: for mild pain relief during massage
- Boiled tulsi-ginger water (for parents too!)
These traditional remedies are gentle, effective, and easy to carry.
🏡 Why Homestays Make Everything Easier
This one’s a game-changer. We almost always choose homestays or farmstays over hotels, and here’s why:
🍼 Access to Kitchen
You can cook or heat food whenever needed. Be it a quick suji porridge, dal rice, or sterilizing baby utensils, it’s all easier in a homely kitchen.
☕ Fresh Hot Water Anytime
No calling reception. Just boil water when needed for milk, sponge baths, or herbal infusions.
🧼 Wash Baby Clothes
No need to carry 10 changes a day. Just rinse and reuse. We travel with a bit of liquid detergent and manage just fine.
✉️ Friendly Hosts
Most hosts go out of their way to help—whether it’s cooking simple food or suggesting local child-friendly spots.
🌲 Open Natural Spaces
From verandahs to gardens, and nearby trails—babies and toddlers love the freedom of open green spaces. It helps their immunity, curiosity, and overall well-being.
🛌 It’s Okay to Do Nothing
Traveling with a baby isn’t about sightseeing. It’s about being present. Sitting under a tree while your baby explores stones, dipping your toes in a river stream, or just sipping chai as your child naps nearby.
We don’t follow itineraries. We follow our baby’s rhythm and let our journey unfold around that.
And honestly, those are the memories that stay.
We’ll be sharing more baby travel tips soon, including a downloadable checklist.
Until then, here’s a reminder: If you feel like stepping out with your little one—just do it. Nature has a beautiful way of healing not just babies, but new parents too.
Love, The Khanabadosh Family
khanabadoshfamily 