Baby on board: Learnings from one year of travel with the MileCub

One year ago, The MileLion came under new management with the arrival of a brand new CEO, the MileCub.

The MileCub has torn up the company’s existing travel policy and rewritten it in her image, banning anything but direct flights, insisting on serviced apartments or villas over traditional hotels, and mandating that all car rentals be a minimum of a mid-sized SUV. It’s quite an unfamiliar way of travelling, but the orders have come down from on high. Who am I to argue? 

Over the past twelve months, we’ve done a total of three trips: twice to Bali, and once to Kuala Lumpur. This is, by my own admission, rather unambitious. I know people who think nothing of taking their baby on a globe-trotting trip spanning multiple time zones, but for us it’s a case of learning to walk before you run.

Perth is next on the docket in August, and I’m really looking forward to that, albeit slightly anxious because unlike our previous trips where we had family, friends and church aunties to fall back on, this will be the first time we’re truly on our own. But hey, gotta cut those apron springs sometime, right?

Anyway, now that I’m a father, I feel like I’ve been suddenly endowed with a surfeit of wisdom that I am obligated to dispense to the world, whether they want to hear it or not. So, in that spirit, here’s some reflections on the first year of MileCub travels.

And of course, like all things parenting, I’m not claiming that any of this is the “right ” way of doing things. In fact, given that it’s me, it’s probably all wrong and will end up horribly scarring the MileCub for life and/or turning her into a Bruno Mars fan (which is basically the same thing).

On the right age to bring a baby travelling

In the first few months, I didn’t really see the point of bringing the MileCub along on our travels. She would sleep most of the day, required frequent feeds, and with an immature immune system, getting on a plane and jostling with airport crowds felt like asking for trouble. 

But by seven months she was crawling around and much more aware of her surroundings, which is why we decided to test the waters with a trip to Bali. With extensive support from both sets of grandparents and our helper in tow, I’d say we just about managed to survive!

And now on her first birthday, she’s already brisk walking everywhere; probably just a month away from running. She understands basic commands (when she feels like it) and recognises people, animals and objects. So I think there’s a much stronger case for bringing her along, because she can now be an interactive participant instead of just a passenger. I know she won’t remember any of this, but at least she’ll be able to enjoy it in the moment.

That said, I’m also a firm believer in couple time. It’s inevitable that having a baby will change the couple dynamic, but at the end of the day you’re still husband and wife, and a strong marriage is the best environment for a child to thrive. That means investing in time together, like weekly date nights or the occasional overseas getaway, if your means and circumstances allow for it.

So I’m very thankful that we have excellent help and support, which has allowed us to do a few trips just as a couple over the past year, with the MileCub at home in good hands.

On crossing time zones

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that all the places we’ve taken (or plan to take) the MileCub so far have been in the same time zone as Singapore, because children, and by extension parents, are slaves to routine.

It’s already disruptive enough getting on a plane and jetting off to a foreign land, and given how hard it is to comfort an overtired baby who can’t fall asleep, adding jetlag to the picture is a bridge too far for me.

Because of this, I don’t foresee bringing the MileCub anywhere beyond a 1-2 hour time difference for the next few years at least. That rules out medium and long-haul travel of course, but there’s still plenty of fun places within that zone: Cairns, Darwin, Hong Kong, Okinawa, Perth, Taipei, Tokyo, etc.

Come to think of it, it might be a good thing Singapore’s in the wrong time zone, or there’d be a bigger time difference with everywhere east of our position!

On picking flights

While I’m not averse to taking the scenic route on occasion, when travelling with the MileCub direct flights are always preferred. It just strikes me as common sense that things are a lot simpler if you only need to board the plane once, especially since not every airport is as organised as Changi.

That said, some parents tell me they prefer a stopover because it gives their toddlers a chance to stretch their legs. That’s fair enough, though I suspect distance plays a factor too. Obviously if we were going on a trip to Europe or the USA, then I could see the wisdom in a mid-point stopover (hello ME3). But if we’re talking regional flights, then I figure it’s better to get it over and done with quickly.

As for flight timings, my previous preference was to take a redeye flight, so as to maximise vacation time. However, with the MileCub things are very different. My current policy is daytime flights only, because I don’t have much faith that she can sleep through a whole redeye flight. I mean she might, and that’d be fantastic, but it strikes me as a gamble that could turn out horribly wrong for everyone (especially our immediate neighbours). 

In any case, red-eye flights haven’t come into the picture so far since we’ve only been to Bali and Kuala Lumpur. But they will very soon, once we start talking about travelling to Australia and Japan.

On luggage allowance

While infants get their own checked luggage allowance of up to 10kg (23-32kg if flying to Canada or the USA), that isn’t nearly sufficient.

Here’s a snapshot of the MileCub’s packing list for our Bali trip, and while she no longer needs some of these — you don’t know the joy of not having to sterilise bottles anymore — it still makes for a hefty bag.

That’s why I’m always grateful for the First Class porter assistance at Changi Airport (which I enjoy by virtue of my supplementary Solitaire PPS Card). When you’re lugging three suitcases, your carry-on, a diaper bag, a stroller, and struggling to remove the portable car seat, you’ll appreciate all the help you can get. 

Oh, and I’m sure all you old birds know this already, but a revolutionary discovery for me was that you don’t have to bring everything. It’s worth checking whether the place you’re headed to has a local baby rental company that can deliver the bulkier items to the airport, or else your hotel. 

When we were in Bali, we used a service called Bali Baby which was reasonably priced and responsive. Other services I’ve heard about for elsewhere in the world (though haven’t tested) are BabyQuip and Babonbo.

On lounge access

Airport lounges have always been a nice to have sort of thing, but with a baby they’re absolute lifesavers. Where else will you find ready supplies of hot water, a microwave, easy-to-grab foods like cut fruits and bread, clean bathrooms (well, at least cleaner than the main terminal; YMMV), and maybe a play area?

I’ve grown especially fond of the SilverKris First Class Lounge at Changi T3, another perk of Solitaire PPS membership. This is obviously a lot less crowded than your average Priority Pass lounge, the F&B is solid (milk for baby, Piper-Heidsieck Rare for daddy), and the friendly staff are always more than willing to make some plain pasta for the MileCub.

As an added bonus, this lounge comes with four nap rooms which allow us to top up the MileCub’s battery as needed. And when she grows up, there’s a soundproof kids room playing the kind of brain-dead programming that will invariably give your kid ADHD. 

What’s even better is that Solitaire PPS members have access to the lounge upon arrival. Changing a baby in a cramped airplane lavatory isn’t fun at all, so we always do one change before boarding, pray she doesn’t poop during the flight, and then head to the lounge on arrival for the next change. It’s also an opportunity to feed her if needed.

On tarmac delays

Tarmac delays are annoying enough, but add a baby into the mix and you’ll truly understand pain. I discovered this firsthand on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, where we happily boarded first- then sat on the tarmac for almost two hours (enough time to fly to Singapore and back) due to restrictions on incoming aircraft imposed by Singapore ATC.

Now, once a baby learns to crawl or toddle, they’ll want to do that all the time. Sitting still is anathema, and despite our best efforts, after ten minutes the MileCub began expressing her displeasure at the situation by showcasing her fledgling vocal skills to the entire cabin.

“This is it,” I thought. “I’ve finally become one of those parents with a screaming infant on a plane, and Exhibit A for the childfree movement”.

But there’s a silver lining here. Before I could climb up on my seat and shout “I’m not locked in here with you, you’re locked in here with me”, the quick-thinking lead stewardess suggested that perhaps we might like to take a walk outside the aircraft to settle the MileCub, an arrangement which no doubt made everyone happy. 

So that’s how we ended up in a completely-deserted boarding lounge at KLIA, enjoying the freedom to stretch our legs and boarding leisurely when the plane was finally ready to depart, while the MileCub purred and waved at the poor unfortunate souls stuck inside a fully-loaded Boeing 737-800 with spotty air conditioning.

On onboard distractions

Confession time: I used to silently judge those parents who let their phones or tablets babysit their kids on the plane. Parent of the year right there, I’d think, conveniently forgetting that I myself had a healthy diet of onboard screen time back in the day.

But now I think I kind of understand. Our past few flights have all been under 2.5 hours, and even then it’s been a struggle to keep the MileCub entertained. If she’s not sleeping — and that’s often the case — it’s up to you to keep her occupied for the duration. And since she’s not yet old enough to amuse herself with colouring books, dolls or other kinds of imaginative play, you need to be engaged all the time, an exercise that can be absolutely exhausting. 

So yes, I totally get why some parents give in and let the screen babysit their kid for a while, and though we’re determined to fight that as long as we can, I suspect it might ultimately be a losing battle. 

For what it’s worth, I’ve found both snacks (though there’s only so many crackers you can feed her), and everyday items to be useful distractions. Oh yes, don’t waste your money on fancy toys that claim they’ll turn your kid into a GEP student; everyday items can be a source of endless fascination for babies, whether it’s a cup from the drinks cart or daddy’s candy-coloured Ambien.

On strollers

When we first started shopping for the MileCub’s arrival, I wanted the Rolls-Royce of strollers. I wanted a badass monster truck that would serve as my mobile command centre, that would fearlessly chew up any kind of terrain, that would crush lesser strollers beneath its mighty wheels and proclaim my in-no-way-insecure masculinity. 

Ultimately, however, we settled for a petite Babyzen Yoyo.  Even if you’re not a parent, you’ve probably seen one of these being valeted around, given how ubtiquous it’s become. There’s a reason for that- as appealing as the monster truck sounded in my head, there’s something to be said about the practicality of a carry-on stroller.

It’s nice to have an option you can push all the way to the plane door and not have to wait for upon disembarkation. At 6.2kg, it’s easy enough to lift into the overhead bin for someone who skips leg day, arm day, shoulder day, abs day, and pretty much every day. 

And even if you’re not flying, a carry-on stroller is easy enough to be carried and even deployed with one hand (parents quickly become adept at doing everything one-handed). It doesn’t take up much boot space in the car, and the compact footprint is better suited for navigating tight supermarket aisles.

On choosing hotels

When travelling with the MileCub, hotel rooms can’t just look good- they have to be highly functional. 

Firstly, size matters. Even though a baby doesn’t take up a lot of space, their supply line sure does. Leaving aside the space for a crib and small play area, there has to be room to park the stroller (preferably not collapsed, so you don’t need to keep folding and unfolding it), and adequate countertop space to dry milk bottles, utensils, bowls and bibs. 

Second, safety matters. Design features like standing mirrors and fireplaces may look pretty, but they’re not particularly toddler-friendly. Also, direct pool access is a no-no, as are rooms with steps.

Third, layout matters. Ideally, there’ll be two rooms, so we can put the MileCub in one and still have the freedom to keep the lights on and play Monopoly Deal in the other (though I’ve been reliably informed that Monopoly Deal with me is better without lights).

Fourth, a kitchen matters. It makes it easy to wash the MileCub’s various paraphernalia (most hotel bathrooms are just way too small), provides a refrigerator for storing food, a microwave or stove for heating up meals, and a dining table for feeding. 

No prizes for guessing that my ideal accommodation sounds more and more like a serviced apartment or AirBnB. Getting a hotel room with two bedrooms would be cost prohibitive, and kitchenettes, much less kitchens, aren’t a common feature.

On hotel breakfast

Previously, I was rather indifferent as to whether breakfast was included with my stays. If it was, great. If not, I’d take it as an opportunity to explore something a little more exciting. But with the MileCub, hotel breakfast has become essential because it makes the morning routine so much simpler.

Even if the spread isn’t great, a buffet means immediate food, and luxury of choice. Fruit dropped on the floor? Go back and get more. Wholemeal bread not working? Go back and get white. Other baby-friendly buffet staples include yoghurt, oatmeal, overcooked plain omelettes, peanut butter, even pancakes, if they’re not too sweet.

On ground transport

While I didn’t get the Rolls-Royce of strollers, I did go big on the baby seat: a Joie i-spin 360. And having gotten so used to it at home, it’s always a rude shock to deal with non-rotating, non-isofix models overseas.

Leaving aside the terrible ergonomics of a non-rotating car seat, I don’t have much confidence in myself to install a seatbelt model properly, and an improperly-installed car seat is as good as no car seat at all. But seatbelt models are cheaper, so it’s no surprise most car rental fleets don’t buy the isofix versions. And not all companies will install them for you; for our upcoming Perth trip I had to ditch one provider when I saw in the reviews that all car seats were DIY. 

Even booking an airport transfer with a car seat is no guarantee, as we discovered in Bali when the driver showed up with a dirty, rickety seat that wobbled when you so much as braked lightly.

After that experience, I went to buy an Urban Kanga, which though not a perfect solution (it’s forward-facing, and children are supposed to stay in rear-facing car seats until 2 years old), at least gave me some peace of mind that it’s not something ordered from the cheapest seller on Taobao. 

This lightweight (<3kg) car seat served us well in Malaysia, where Grab didn’t offer a car seat option. 

Conclusion

While I wouldn’t say we’ve been particularly ambitious with the MileCub’s first year of travel, I think of it as baby steps, quite literally. In the time to come, God willing, we’ll spread our wings even further.

And before anyone asks, I’ve not made a decision on what to do after two years. Right now, the MileCub flies for 10% of the adult fare. Once she’s past two she’ll need a seat of her own, and we’ll have the age-old question of whether to redeem an Business Class seat for a toddler who barely occupies a fraction of the space, or put everyone in Economy Class and learn the true meaning of family togetherness. But hey, that’s a tomorrow problem!

I’m sure some of you have been more adventurous, so I’d love to hear how you navigated all the issues I mentioned, or what you’d do differently if you could do it all over again (no, “use a condom” isn’t a valid answer).