Jet-setting mum defends taking baby to 5 countries before his first birthday

The mother of a globe-trotting toddler, who has already explored five different countries before celebrating his first birthday, is standing by her decision to travel extensively with her baby.

Young Rupert is no stranger to the skies, having visited destinations like Greece, Turkey, Barbados, Dubai, and even Australia all within his first year.

His parents, Becky and Simon, share a deep love for travel, so it was no shock that Rupert received his passport before he even turned one month old.

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His first flight was at just 11 weeks old.

Becky, hailing from Newcastle, firmly dismisses critics who argue that taking a baby on international trips is a waste of money.

“Having children doesn’t mean you have to give up on living your life,” said Becky Asquith, 36, a first-time mum, in an interview with Luxury Travel Daily.

“Traveling with children, of course, requires adjustments, but you adapt to it.

“Travel has always been my greatest passion, and it’s been a significant part of our life together, so it was crucial to us not to lose that piece of our identity.

“Rupert was just three weeks old when we applied for his passport. We’re excited to show him the world.”

At three months old, Rupert embarked on his first family holiday to Rhodes, where they encountered a record-breaking heatwave of 46°C.

While Becky has no regrets and intends to continue traveling with Rupert, she acknowledges that it’s not always as glamorous as it looks in photos.

Becky shared, “Taking a 12-week-old baby on a trip was a reality check, to say the least.

“I had my concerns about dealing with a crying baby on the plane, but thankfully, those worries were unfounded.

“We were fortunate; he enjoyed the motion and slept for most of the flight. Although, just ten minutes after takeoff, he needed a nappy change—so we’ve had our moments.”

“There were definitely times when we questioned our sanity.

“It was extremely hot, but we got through the week and ended up having a wonderful time with some truly special memories from his first holiday.”

As a sales manager, Becky had little time to dwell on doubts because, just three months later, the family was boarding a long-haul flight to celebrate Simon’s 40th birthday.

Becky explained, “We had actually booked the trip to Barbados before I got pregnant with Rupert.

“Rupert is an IVF baby, and for anyone going through fertility treatments, you know you can’t put life on hold, or you could lose precious years waiting, so we booked the trip and later added Rupert to our plans.

“He was six months old then.

“We researched child-friendly amenities at the hotel and found one with a crèche.

“Like much of motherhood, I was improvising most of the holiday.

“You figure it out as you go.

“Of course, I was anxious before the trip, wondering what to pack and what we would need, but you can’t let that stop you.”

Rupert’s adventures didn’t end there. By the time he was 10 months old, he had flown to both Australia and Dubai.

He celebrated his first birthday in Turkey.

Becky remarked, “He was crawling by the time we were in Turkey, which brought a new set of challenges… he wanted to explore everything.

“Traveling with a baby at different developmental stages comes with its own challenges, but it’s doable, and you shouldn’t feel like you can’t do it.

“Don’t let the fear of others’ judgments prevent you from sharing these adventures with your children.

“We need to make traveling with children a normal thing.

“I used to worry about what other passengers might think, but most of the time, it’s just in our heads that we’re bothering others.”

When asked for her top tips on traveling with a baby, Becky advised, “Remember, babies under two fly for free, and prices drop in September when school is back in session, so do your homework on child-friendly facilities and go for it.

“Get a pram that fits in the overhead lockers; it’s so much easier than checking it in, and a baby carrier is a must for places that aren’t stroller-friendly. They’re perfect for beach walks too.

“If you’re flying long-haul, call the airline ahead of time and request bulkhead seats.

“These offer space for a bassinet, which provides more room to maneuver, even if you don’t end up using it.

“The 100ml rule doesn’t apply to sterilized water or baby food, so bring as much as you need.

“Give yourself extra time at security since it will all be tested, but it’s better to have too much in case of delays.

“Order nappies, formula, and toiletries to pick up at the airport Boots.

“It saves space and weight in your luggage, and always split baby supplies between suitcases, so if one goes missing, you’re not left without everything.

“If you’re heading somewhere hot, don’t overpack cute baby outfits. Most of the time, they’ll just want to be in a nappy.

“Essential items to bring include a pool float with a canopy, a mosquito net for the crib, a snooze shade for the pram, sanitizing water spray, a pram fan, and a baby monitor. If your baby is napping, you can sit on the balcony with the door closed to keep the bugs out and the air conditioning on.

“You might even find a few minutes to relax.”

Despite some critics claiming that traveling with such a young child is a waste of money, Becky remains unconvinced.

“Rupert will have amazing photos to look back on from his first year, and we have plenty more travel plans ahead.”

Now, at 16 months old, Rupert is gearing up for yet another adventure, as the family prepares to move to Australia for two years.

Becky added, “Our life with Rupert is one big adventure.

“Given that we were told we had less than a 5% chance of conceiving, Rupert is a very special boy.

“We love traveling, and we want him to share that love.

“We’re forever grateful to have him, and we want to make sure he sees and experiences everything the world has to offer.”

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