Re. the sling/buggy – she’s getting so heavy now that I can only carry her for about 30m before my shoulders start to scream with pain! Any tips for that in a sling? (We’ve tried various different types but still the same). At least with a buggy, our posture is spared somewhat

Unfortunately some of the places we stay in don’t have a bath tub or sink big enough (did I mention she’s a big girl?!?) – have tried a shower but it’s not quite the same for her as she loves to lie in the bath kicking and splashing away. The blow-up paddling pool has worked well so far – a good improvisation!

Mali is still 100% fully breastfed (as per NHS recommendations!) although now she’s hit 6 months we’ll be starting to wean her slowly on to more solids. I totally agree with you about the ease & convenience of it – although having to do it in a muslim country and/or where it’s not as socially/culturally acceptable is somewhat more uncomfortable.

This may not be for you, but extended breast feeding made traveling with a baby soooo much easier for us , kept her healthier ( stats show nursing babies & toddlers have much fewer illnesses, shorter duration & fewer allergies) and gave us lots of peace of mind about food, nutritional & comfort issues ( & needing less stuff). Breastfeeding also gets easier as a baby gets older & extended nursing benefits the mom too.

With organic cotton sling, breastfeeding & using the family bed, we did TONS of travel starting at 2 weeks and basically needed nothing but a few clothes & diapers.

I can’t tell you how advantageous this can be in getting fluids into a hot baby on the move, or sick baby who will not eat or drink anything else, stopping a toddler temper tamper immediately, always having food/drink/comfort immediately available no matter where you roam, going to adult venues & having an instant trick to calm & quiet a toddler, etc!

There is a reason that many nomadic peoples did/do extended breastfeeding. It’s even a greener choice that’s better for the planet, but the best thing for mom & dad, is the ease it adds to your life!

Glad to hear the sling is working well! That is all we ever used. We never used a baby bath or changing mat, so never missed them. We took baths in our big tub with baby from day one & my mom used the kitchen sink for us as babes. I just changed diapers on the bed or floor etc with a towel underneath.

Many of the things that some parents feel are a must today, are recent additions, so we went the old fashion route and did many things like my mom did in the 50′s or how native women do it! LOL. I figured if she could raise 4 kids well without them & native women kept in simple for eons, I didn’t have to invest in all the baby stuff.

I know you don’t believe in a lot of stuff either, but thought I’d toss out these thoughts in case it might help you or others.

The blow up pool sounds fun! We bring a blow up globe with us that has proven to be a fantastic multi-purpose tool! Doubles as a ball and homeschool helper!

I agree with @Natasha that once she starts walking & crawling that things will get much harder for a while, but disagree with her view about 6. I think that 4 to 6 are fantastic ages to begin serious travel, especially if the child is reading then!

We enjoyed supplying the roots in the early years and found 5 1/2 a perfect age to immerse deeply into the world and other cultures. There are many ways to do it, and it is hard to guess at what will work beforehand, but now that our child is 9, I can say that these last 4 years of extensive slow travel has been superb for her. For us, it’s been the perfect age (and coming back to the same small village in southern Spain every winter..a perfect choice).

I guess it just proves once again that there is no one “right” way to be a location independent parent!