Seek and find
I remember it so well: our first plane trip with a baby. As a professional travel blogger, before I got pregnant, I'd fly a few times a month to create travel guides for destinations all over the world. You think you know it all, but as a new parent, everything suddenly feels completely new. But don't worry. Traveling with children is truly amazing and, in my opinion, the greatest enrichment of parenthood you can buy for yourself. From the first flight with my son Manuel to Greece when he was eight weeks old, to the trip around the world we took before he started primary school. These are my most cherished memories. Something I wish for every parent, and that's why I'm sharing this article in collaboration with Transavia My best travel tips for flying with a baby and kids!
© Your Little Black Book
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Flying with kids according to the Japanese omotenashi
I know better than anyone how exciting a first flight can be. But as a seasoned traveler, I quickly discovered that traveling with kids is nothing more than opening a well-stocked bag of tricks. You just have to know what to put in that bag! When it comes to flying with kids, I strongly believe in the principle of omotenashi. It's the Japanese word for hospitality, but it goes much further than that. Anyone who's ever been to Japan will recognize it: the art of Japanese service. Every need is anticipated before the guest even realizes they have it. Apply this to traveling with your baby or kids, and your trip will go much more smoothly. Think about the scenarios and solutions you might encounter beforehand. Then it's a matter of adapting quickly! For example, make sure you have a bottle of milk or water ready for takeoff or landing, instead of only thinking about it when your child's ears are bothering them and the whole plane is screaming.
Believe me: good preparation is half the battle and in this article I share with you my best tips and tricks from the past years.
© Your Little Black Book
20 Tips and Tricks You'll Want to Know for Flying with a Baby and Kids
preparing & packing: 10 tips
Jet lag
Are you worried about jet lag for your baby? I have only one solution: fly within Europe. Take a look at Transavia website And you'll find plenty of kid-friendly destinations just a few hours' flight away. My favorite destinations when Manuel was very young were Greece, Ibiza, and Mallorca. But if you ask me, almost every destination in Southern Europe is child-friendly. I would especially recommend checking the best time to travel and ensuring the temperature isn't too hot. Otherwise, you might spend most of your vacation indoors in the air conditioning with your little one.
Passport
Planning to fly with your baby? Make sure you apply for a passport in time. Tip: some photo shops have a special seat for babies who can't sit up yet. Does your child have a different name in their passport than yours? Just in case, I always bring a copy of their birth certificate. You can request one from the municipality, and it's always handy to have on hand.
Accommodation check
Check with your accommodation to see what baby supplies they can provide. It's often much more than you think! And the more luxurious your accommodation, the less you'll likely need to carry. In my experience, cribs are rarely made properly and safely for babies, so be sure to bring your own sleeping bag. For very warm destinations, consider using a muslin cloth.
Luggage service at home
Flying to a destination where you'll need to bring a lot of things for your baby and kids? Perhaps a travel cot, stroller, or a bouncer your little one can't live without... I can imagine you're dreading having to lug all that stuff around at the airport. That's why Transavia offers a home baggage service, where your luggage is collected from your home, checked in, and then shipped straight into the hold! An added bonus: you won't have to wait in line at baggage drop, which can sometimes get very busy. Check out everything about our home luggage service here >>
Car seat or not?
Some parents swear by bringing their own car seat on the plane. We only did that if we were actually going on a road trip, or if we were unsure whether there would be suitable seats at our destination. For a simple transfer to the hotel, we always arranged a transfer through the hotel in advance, including a car seat. It might cost a bit more than a regular taxi, but it also means less hassle. This can be very helpful if you're flying with a baby for the first time. When arranging the transfer, you also specify that you want a car seat and what age range you need. So, a Maxi-Cosi for an infant and, depending on your child's age, a different car seat from about nine months onwards. This also confirms that it's a car seat for the right age! Now that Manuel is older, we're bringing our own booster seat.
Eat Drink
For the flight, I always make a separate bag to put all my food and drinks in. From airplane-safe snacks and crackers now that Manuel is older, to meals from Ella's Kitchen, for example. Depending on the destination, you can also choose to pack baby meals in your suitcase if you have a preference for a specific brand. But believe me: in every country, babies need to eat! Sometimes, the only way to get your vacation off to a stress-free start is to avoid having to immediately head to a larger supermarket. In my experience, smaller supermarkets don't always have what you're looking for, or it might not be suitable for the right age.
Luggage Checklist
One of the most important things when you go flying with a baby Packing your carry-on luggage is crucial. If your child doesn't have their own seat on the plane, you're not officially allowed to bring an extra bag for them. So make sure everything fits in your and/or your partner's carry-on luggage! For babies up to two years old, you can take a stroller to the gate. If the flight isn't full and you have a special foldable stroller that fits in the overhead bins, you can usually take it on board. Larger strollers weighing over 10 kilos must be checked in. From the age of two (the age at which you're required to book your child's own seat on the plane), Transavia allows you to bring a small carry-on suitcase (55 x 35 x 25 cm) and an under-seat bag or accessory (40 x 30 x 20 cm). The total carry-on weight is ten kilos, which is usually fine for our son. Keep in mind that a booster seat falls within these two allowances.
Book on time
Are you unsure about whether you'll be able to manage with the baggage allowance when traveling with a baby and still want/need to take a relatively large amount? I get it! And that's not surprising at all. For babies up to two years old, you can check in ten kilos of checked baggage for free with Transavia. Expecting to take more? To avoid packing stress on our first flight with my son, I simply booked a few extra kilos. It saved this mom a lot of hassle and was worth every euro ;-).
Hand luggage for baby
What do you pack in your carry-on when traveling with a baby? Diapers, enough food, a change of clothes for you and the baby, muslin cloths, a blanket, and a pacifier with a pacifier clip to keep it from falling on the floor. I always made sure everything fit in one bag. But within that bag, I separated everything into several bags. So, a bag for toys, a bag for changing supplies, a bag for food, and so on. That way, you don't have to search and you never miss anything! The bag with things you'll definitely need during the flight should be placed under your seat for easy access. For toys, I'd pack something that makes sounds in carry-on for a baby of a few months old. For toddlers, I've always found watercolor coloring books or window stickers to be great.
From 2 years old
Carry-on luggage for a child from two years old becomes a lot easier. Once your child is a little older, you can, for example, fill a backpack together with some toys for the flight. I also always brought enough diapers, snacks, and a change of clothes just in case. And the tablet? We started using that when we traveled from about two years old.
© Your Little Black Book
At the airport: 4 things you want to know
Baby carrier = indispensable
A baby carrier for a baby who can't yet sit upright is a must-have at the airport, in my opinion. If your little one is older than 6 months, choose a cabin-safe stroller, like the Joolz Aer, YOYO, or the Cybex Libelle. Why? It's great for having your hands free and creates a sense of calm for your child. We used a stroller like this until Manuel was over four years old.
The checks
Keep in mind that your baby also has to go through security at the airport separately and will be checked by an agent. On my first trip, I was wearing a baby sling, but knowing what I know now, I would always choose a baby carrier. On our first flight, I was sweating while tying the enormous meters of fabric. A baby carrier is so easy to put on and close!
What can I bring?
You can bring liquid formula for babies through airport security. This is convenient, as you'll always have a bottle of (expressed) milk ready when needed. Also, make sure you have plenty of formula. For example, prepare milk towers at home and keep a Dopper with boiled (but not super hot) water. Also, make sure you have enough food and snacks to last you the entire trip, even if your flight is significantly delayed! Because every parent knows this: there's nothing worse than a hangry child.
Divide the roles
Please note that you must fold the stroller during boarding. If your child can't walk yet, the baby carrier will be needed again during boarding. This will free up your hands for passport control and luggage storage. If your child can already walk, agree on who will be the luggage helper during boarding and who will take the kids on board, keeping their hands free.
© Your Little Black Book – travel buggy
During the flight: 6 tips
Let's install it!
As soon as we reach our seats on the plane, I take all the bags out of the carry-on and put them under the seats. Now that Manuel is older, he often gets the window seat so he can enjoy the view outside. With a baby, I always made sure I had everything ready for takeoff. I'd make a bottle and check if there was a baby leash. What I really loved about being a toddler on the plane is that it's one of those moments when you realize how little children sometimes need to entertain themselves. The safety checklist becomes a comic book and the trash bag a crinkle toy. Easy does it!
Clearing ears
Make sure you have something ready for your child to clear their ears during takeoff and landing. A bottle or pacifier can be helpful. If you notice your child's ears are bothering them a lot on the plane, special headphones are available to help alleviate this.
Empty chair?
Traveling with a toddler who can already sit in their own seat but doesn't have one? Check with the crew before boarding to see if the flight is full and if there are any options for using an empty seat. It'll make you feel a little more comfortable!
Chair extender
Within Europe, flight times are never particularly long, but if you have a very early or late flight, it can be helpful for small children with their own seat to bring something to extend the seat. For example, we sometimes used an inflatable foot cushion that essentially turned the seat into a bed. If you have a day flight, I'd leave all that at home; in my experience, you won't use such things. Besides, nine times out of ten, the parent's lap is always more comfortable than the seat extender ;-).
Clothing Tips
I'm always a fan of wearing layers when flying. Sometimes it can be incredibly cold. Even if we're departing from a warm destination, I always make sure I have long pants and socks so I can wear something warmer during the flight. Also consider a sweater or cardigan, as my experience is that kids can get cold quickly, especially when they're tired.
Crying on the plane
One of the reasons you're probably dreading flying with children is that you're afraid they'll cry on the plane. Especially on longer flights, prepare yourself for this to happen. After all, your child wouldn't be perfectly quiet at home for 10 hours, would they? Making sounds to express themselves is part of young children's nature. The only thing you can do is practice omotenashi! Recognize the signals and anticipate your child's behavior by offering what they need. Whatever happens on the plane, stay calm and don't panic. It can help to ensure your child is well-rested for the flight. So, don't send them to daycare all day and then immediately board the plane in the evening. Or choose flight times where you don't have to get up in the middle of the night. Distracting them often helps, too. With toys, something to eat, or, in the worst-case scenario, a movie. Make sure you have something downloaded on your phone or tablet to watch during the flight. After all, it's their party too!
I hope these tips are helpful if you're flying for the first time with your baby or toddler. Traveling is, in my opinion, one of the most wonderful things you can do with your children <3.
© Your Little Black Book – water coloring book
© Your Little Black Book
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𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟰, 𝟭𝟱, 𝟭𝟲 & 𝟭𝟳
HELLO long weekend!
With Ascension Day turning today into a little Friday kind of day ;-), this is the moment to gather your friends and do something fun.
And trust me: there is a lot happening in Amsterdam!
From Rollende Keukens taking over Westerpark to Aardbewoners Festival at @artis_amsterdam, Proef Pampus on Forteiland Pampus, CABINET Curated Curiosa & Design Market at the Centrale Markthal, Museum Market on Museumplein, Royal Palace audio tours for all ages, and Pure Markt in the Amsterdamse Bos.
Also fun to check out: you can get SALVO Miso Caramel Tiramisu Lattes at a Bike Thru in Amsterdam-Noord!
💬 Comment 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 and I'll send you the full Amsterdam Weekend Guide with all 107 tips straight to your DMs.
What's your vibe this long weekend? You can find me in ARTIS and at Rollende Keukens!
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Follow @yourlbb for the best Amsterdam hotspots, new restaurants, weekend tips and travel inspiration in The Netherlands and beyond. Only Amsterdam tips? Then check out @yourlbb.amsterdam.
LOOKING FORWARD TO SUMMER! Are you also longing for warmer weather and secretly itching to book a weekend getaway on the Dutch coast ☀️? I certainly am! That’s why today I have a tip for 24 LOVELY BEACH HOTELS AND HOMES BY THE BETWEEN.
Save this post, or comment STRANDHOTEL and you will receive the complete list of all the gems directly via DM. Enjoy the weekend!
#beachhotels #housebythesea #netherlands #northhollandzeeland
𝟭𝟲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗼𝘀 🌮
Are you going classic with carne asada & salsa verde, or do you prefer something a little different, like birria for dipping or tempura mushroom with salsa negra!?
In this guide, you'll find my favorite taco hotspots in Amsterdam, including a must-try tip for every spot 🍴
📍 @masmais.taqueria (West)
🌮 Favorite: tuna tostada & sea bass ceviche
Perfect if you love Mexican food with a focus on seafood, great cocktails, and a laid-back cantina vibe. It feels like being in Mexico for a moment, right in Amsterdam West.
📍 @tacos.lasinaloense (Ten Katemarkt & Albert Cuypmarkt)
🌮 Favorite: create your own taco & go all in on salsa
Street-style tacos the way they're meant to be: handmade tortillas, slow-cooked steaks, and choosing your own spice level.
📍 @madre.amsterdam (Jordaan)
🌮 Favorite: birria quesatacos & tempura mushroom tacos
A plant-based Mexican restaurant that proves just how flavorful vegetarian food can be. Comfort food with a twist, and perfect for sharing.
📍 @bacalar.amsterdam (North)
🌮 Favorite: octopus taco
Still one of my favorites in Noord, with a great terrace too. Raw setting, huge on flavor. Weekend lunch here is my favorite! Definitely ask for the specials.
On 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸.𝗺𝗲 you'll find the complete guide with the 16 best taco spots in Amsterdam.
Do you have a taco spot I really need to try?
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Follow @yourlbb & @yourlbb.amsterdam for more Amsterdam restaurant guides, travel guides & the best things to do on the weekends.
𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟴, 𝟵 & 𝟭𝟬
This weekend is packed with markets, food events and lots of good excuses to spend the entire weekend out and about in Amsterdam.
From the free @oatly Matcha Strawberry Signature Drink and limited edition bag charm launch at @binibakery to Het Hapjesfestijn in Noord and the Creative Lab Summer Pop-Up at Klaproos & Café Soleil.
Plus, there are lots of fun Mother's Day ideas in this new guide, from brunches to the @ladress summer sale and 50% discount tickets for a concert at @concertgebouw.
Also very in the mood for the North Seafood BBQ at @nikotin.restobar
💬 Comment 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 and I'll send you the full Amsterdam Weekend Guide with 76 hotspots, events and 19 kid-proof tips straight to your DMs.
What's your vibe this weekend… markets, matcha, a long lunch or trying a new hotspot?
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Follow @yourlbb for the best Amsterdam hotspots, new restaurants, weekend tips and travel inspiration in The Netherlands and beyond. Only Amsterdam tips? Then check out @yourlbb.amsterdam.
#yourlbbcollab #oatly
Come with me to get breakfast in Taipei 🥢
Straight from the airport to this little place to taste soup dumplings and so much more! That's what I call a soft landing 😉 <3
In Taipei, you go to a Soy Milk Shop for breakfast. Warm soy milk to eat in a bowl, and steam baskets with the tastiest dumplings and baozi. You can really wake me up for this kind of breakfast. These local breakfast spots come in all shapes and sizes, from Michelin-recommended spots to hole-in-the-wall stalls.
Most soy milk shops open early (and sometimes even 24 hours a day), and these are the dishes you want to try:
🥄 Warm soy milk
🥢 Soup dumplings (you can often choose between pork and veggies)
🥢 Pork baozi
🥢 Youtiao (油條 - a kind of fried donut stick)
🥢 Youtiao (油條) w/ pork floss & rice
🥢 Turnip cake
🥢 Chives pancake
🥢 Scallion pancake
TIP: Sharing is a good idea to taste as much as possible, because the portions are (often) large.
You'll want to remember these soy milk shops for your future trip to Taipei:
📍Fuhang Soy Milk
📍Soy Milk Shop
📍Yong He Soya Milk King (Da'an)
📍Sihai Soy Milk
I am currently touring Taiwan, and you can also find all the tips in my Stories Highlight.
Have you ever been to Taiwan? I'm curious if you thought it was *that* amazing!
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🖊️ @anne_de_buck
#taipeifood #taipeitravel #TaiwanWavesOfWonder #ExperienceTaiwan @taiwantoerisme #presstrip
{ In this Taiwan Travel Guide video, I share my favorite breakfast spots in Taipei for an authentic Taiwanese breakfast }
𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟯𝟬 + 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭, 𝟮 & 𝟯
HELLO first weekend of May!
From a brand-new rooftop beach in Oost to vintage treasure hunting at IJ-Hallen, Italian market mornings, new restaurants and lots of May holiday plans for families.
Also on my radar this weekend:
📍 East Beach
📍 Café Pigalle
📍 Sassy's
📍 HORTA
📍 Bar Copa
📍 Amour Amer
📍 Café Felix
📍 Chez Chloé
And yes, market season is fully back. Sunday Market, IJ-Hallen, NoordOogst and Zi Camì Market… where to start?
💬 Comment 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 and I'll send you the full Amsterdam Weekend Guide with 85 tips straight to your DMs.
What's your vibe this weekend… markets, terraces, new hotspots or something fun with the kids?
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Follow @yourlbb for the best Amsterdam hotspots, new restaurants, weekend tips and travel inspiration in The Netherlands and beyond. Only Amsterdam tips? Then check out @yourlbb.amsterdam.
Just back from Catalonia and I thought: I'll share some tips right away.
During our road trip, we stayed two nights in the Ebro Delta. An incredibly fun stop for families and foodies, where there is plenty to do.
• A boat trip to the Musclarium is a must! Here you eat oysters and mussels straight from the farm, in the middle of the sea.
· Admire the flamingos and black ibises that can be found here all year round.
· Rice is grown in the Ebro Delta all year round. For paella, but Kensho also makes sake and miso from it! You can visit them during a tasting.
Cycling along the rice fields, canoeing on the Ebro River, and visiting various beaches. It was still a bit too cold right now, but there is plenty to do.
• The towns are very low-key and not that exciting, but you can find fantastic local food there. From the Michelin-awarded Les Moles* to local eateries like Vermuteria Bonmarisc and Lo Tinglado. We ate a lot of fish, but also anemone fritters (a first!).
Now back to work, and I’m going to create an extensive travel guide of this road trip through Catalonia, but you’ll want to save these tips for a future adventure.
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
{ In this post, I share tips for the Ebro Delta in Spain (Delta de l'Ebre). More tips for Catalonia can be found at www.yourlittleblackbook.me }
HELLO WEEKEND!
A short note, but a very packed Amsterdam Weekend Guide online with 76 tips for Kingsday, Kingsnight, new restaurants, kidsproof May holiday activities and everything in between.
Comment WEEKEND and I'll send you the full guide in your DM.
Cheers from Spain, where I will celebrate with orange wine from Priorat ✌🏼🧡.
✖️✖️✖️
@anne_de_buck
The most important things to do are done by the community through this Nederland and in Amsterdam?
The May holidays have begun, and that means: quality time with the kids. From creative workshops and fun playgrounds to new museums, kid-friendly festivals, and adventures in nature.
On 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸.𝗺𝗲, you will find two comprehensive guides with more than 50 tips! Believe me, you won't be bored anymore ;-).
Take all tips via the line in my bio. Have fun!
I'm curious: what do you have planned for this holiday?
PS: We are doing a road trip from Barcelona to Valencia this year and you can travel along via stories.
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟭𝟲, 𝟭𝟳, 𝟭𝟴 & 𝟭𝟵
Your Amsterdam weekend, sorted. 🖤
Baby lambs, spring markets, new restaurant openings and more events not to miss, this week's Amsterdam Weekend Guide is packed.
💬 Comment 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 and I'll send you the full Amsterdam Weekend Guide with 81 tips straight to your DMs.
Have fun making plans!
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
| PS: Follow @yourlbb for the best Amsterdam hotspots, new restaurants, weekend tips and travel inspiration in the Netherlands and beyond. Only Amsterdam tips? Then check out @yourlbb.amsterdam.
PUUR YONNIE, an ode to Jonnie Boer.
Today I had the honor of being at @delibrijezwolle for the book launch of @jonnie_en_therese.
I spent the whole evening reading and flipping through the pages.
WHAT A BOOK.
What stories.
WHAT AN ODE.
Love, Nature, Pioneer, Fatherhood, Music, Jonnie's Foundation, Friendship, Suppliers, Local products, Relaxation, Entrepreneurship, Humor & The pure human being.
Everything passes by, beautifully written by @joel.broekaert.
With contributions from, among others, @nelsontanate, @rekkebus, @ronblaauwtje, @jorisbijdendijk, @sidney_schutte & @hvw043.
Thanks for the lovely afternoon @jonnie_en_therese 💚
PURE JONNIE,
From 14 April
at your local bookstore
(and online)
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
This is your ticket to Japan without taking a plane 🥢
@tewatashi.ams in De Pijp serves an authentic Edo-Mae Sushi Experience and is super consistent in their quality.
It's the place we keep going back to when we have something to celebrate <3.
In this video I'm sharing the 2 hour experience in 60 seconds.
Still dreaming about the buttery ika nigiri. 🤤
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
{ one of the best authentic Japanese restaurants in Amsterdam serving premium sushi omakase in De Pijp }
With love,
Anne
| PS: Do you know Your Little Black Book's Green PolicyHere you'll find my personal tips on how to travel and live greener, and I'll explain why and how I offset the CO2 emissions from all the trips #teamyourlbb makes.
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