As much as possible, you may want to consider traveling off-season. This is going to be an improvement in a number of ways. First of all, it obviously means that you’re going to save money, which is a really important thing for most of us. Plus, you’re going to have far fewer crowds to deal with, which most of us would agree makes any travel experience so much nicer too.

It does take some planning to travel off-season, but you’ll find it’s worth it. And once you’ve done it one time, you’re probably going to be loathed to go back to traveling on-season. This is something that you will definitely find really useful to consider if you are going to try and enjoy traveling so much more.


Know your “why” 

Before you go anywhere in particular, it helps if you have a really good idea of why you actually want to go there. Having a good sense of this ‘why’ can help to provide a lot of meaning to the experience, and it’s a major way in which you can upgrade your travel and make it so much better and more enjoyable. Might it be that you want to go to Italy for the culture, or you are looking for a specific kind of experience in Thailand? It’s all about figuring out your actual reasons for wanting to go where you want to go. 

If you can figure this out for every trip, you’ll find that it really does help in making it a much more special experience, so it’s highly recommended to do this each time.


Set some goals

In a similar vain, it can help if you have some clear goals that you want to achieve on your travels. You could aim to learn a language, make some new friends, or whatever else it might be. As long as you’re setting yourself some really clear goals, you should find that you’re able to make the most of your trip and that it will be so much more enjoyable in general. In fact, it’s not really about whether you achieve them in the end or not. What matters is that you are aiming for them.

With this kind of thing behind you, any trip is going to be a much better experience, and you’ll find that you are going to get so much more out of it every time.




Try going alone

Going solo on a trip is a whole other experience, and it’s certainly something that you will want to try if you are going to make the most of it. It’s so different from traveling with other people. You will need to rely on yourself a lot more, and you’ll have to have the confidence to go out there and speak to people and generally just make it work. However, for that very reason, it usually proves to be a hugely inticing experience which really helps you to grow.

Of course, if you are going to do this, you’ll want to make sure you are keeping yourself safe. As long as you do that, however, it should be something that you can really enjoy and which is going to be hugely important for you and your development.


Keep yourself entertained on long journeys

Some of the aspects of travel which are less enjoyable can often seem to get in the way of the experience. But there are things you can do about them to make them more enjoyable. A good example is when you think about any long journeys that you might need to make. Being on a train or plane or whatever else for a long time can be a drag, but it’s something that you will find you can improve if you put your mind to it.

You just need to find a way to keep yourself entertained while you are on those long journeys. You can do that in a lot of ways, from playing cards and mahjong to ensuring you have plenty to read and listen to. And as long as you can keep comfortable too, it’s going to make the experience so much more enjoyable for you overall.


Learn the language

Travel is a lot easier, and much more satisfying as an experience, if you have made a point of learning the language. The more of the local language that you have, the better, in fact. It’s never been easier to learn a language from scratch and without even leaving your home, thanks to apps like duolingo, so there is no excuse for not learning at least a little of the language wherever you intend to travel.

Of course, most of the learning will take place once you are out there, especially if you are going to be there a long time and particularly if you are quite immersed in the culture. But you’ll want to learn the basics before you go, just to help you to get through it in a much more enjoyable way.


Relax & enjoy it

At a certain point, you just need to let yourself enjoy the experience. Being able to relax while you are traveling is a hugely important skill, and one that you will find really vital for making the most of the experience. So be sure to try and develop the right frame of mind to ensure this. If you can do that, you are going to be considerably more likely to enjoy it for what it is.


What tips do you find most important when traveling?

 
A few months in, and I feel pretty confident in my diapering abilities. 

Before our baby shower, everyone kept asking me which diaper brand we wanted to use. I was fully of the mindset that I didn’t care and diapers were diapers. That has proven to not be true. We tried out several brands we were given like Pampers, Huggies, Honest Company, Luvs. Once we got to Luvs, I knew I wouldn’t even touch a store brand diaper. My mom has shared with me that when I was a baby, I was allergic to Pampers and Huggies, and could only wear cloth diapers or Luvs. 

As a mom myself, I was not a fan of Luvs, and I am not interested in trying cloth diapers. Luckily, my little one hasn’t shown any signs of diaper allergies, but I’ve shown signs of snobbery. The Luvs were so thin, and resulted in some blowouts. But once they were soiled, gag. They felt so squishy and gross. I immediately returned the store brand for my preferred Huggies. (Side note: You can return unopened diapers to the store and exchange for the right size or brand! For opened packages, those can be donated to women’s shelters, daycares, churches, etc!) Pampers have been fine, and I liked the Honest diapers too (lots of designs, if you care about that), but I noticed that Huggies have this extra elastic on the back and sides that allows for such a custom fit. It really won me over. 

All of this to say - it’s important to try a few brands and then really figure out which one you prefer for your little one.

Now while I was partial to Huggies diapers over Honest ones, I did really fall for the Honest Company baby wipes once I used those. I know I hated the Up and Up wipes that were just so WET and smooth. The Honest wipes are textured and really strong and I love them. They also come with many designs, but I couldn’t care less what the design is on the package. But that stupidly does impact the price of the wipes, so if shopping on Amazon, be sure to check between the designs, because there will be a difference in prices there. (Insert eye roll here.)

Diaper rash spray

I’ll admit I was very anti diaper rash ointment for several weeks. I wasn’t seeing any rashes during diaper changes, so I didn’t want to use anything she didn’t need. Also ointments seemed so… messy. But my mother-in-law and sister, and really everyone that was around during a diaper change kept pushing these ointments. Then my husband pointed out there was some redness on her tiny hiney. I didn’t realize diaper rashes didn’t necessarily mean a full-blown rash with bumps. 

So after seeing the redness, I tried this Boogie brand diaper rash spray someone had gifted us and it’s kind of been a perfect solution. I don’t use it at every change, but definitely overnight, and it’s been consistent, so easy to use, and I haven’t seen any redness during her diaper change since. But I have noticed when I don’t use it, her skin tends to be a little more wrinkly, and poopy can be a little more stuck to her skin. I kind of love this stuff. Just make sure to shake it really well at every single use.



Changing table...

Okay, this may seem like a non-essential item, but I swear it is absolutely necessary. My sisters have always just kind of laid a baby wherever to change them, but this changing table provides consistency, a space that doesn’t absorb pee or poop and is easy to clean of those bodily fluids, is a perfect height for not causing back pain during diaper changes, and provides storage space for extra diapering supplies and other necessary items like extra clothes, toys, and more. It also feels safer to have a space to change her that has elevated sides, as opposed to say a high countertop or even a sofa top. I am such a fan of this thing. I swear I’d be a million times more frustrated and diaper changes would be way messier without this as part of our daytime diaper change routine. Baby changing tables and changing pads may seem frivolous but they are seriously the way to go. 

... and Changing pad

Yes, I find it necessary to have both the changing table and this changing pad, but not in the same space! The change table is housed in the living room, while we keep the changing pad at our bedside for nightside changes. Before having the changing pad in the bedroom, we were having to change our bed linens and blankets every other night. We using towels or just trying to change her in the bed with nothing, and of course she was peeing everywhere. And while the messy diaper changes aren’t quite as frequent as she’s gotten a little older, they’re still common, and having the water resistant changing pad (which can easily be wiped down) has been so much more convenient and way less frustrating.

Diaper Genie

I’ll be totally honest here - we only use the Diaper Genie for bedroom diaper changes. The living room diaper changes just go into the kitchen trash, which gets changed more regularly. But it’s great for keeping our sleep space less smelly!

Tiny trash bags

These bad boys are so handy for super messy diapers. One of the most frustrating things about diaper changes is when the diaper tabs get stuck to baby wipes or touch the inside of the dirty diaper, making in near impossible to close the dirty diaper without making a mess. So that where these tiny trash bags come in super handy. The diaper can be tied up and toted over to the trashcan. It also helps reduce smells. Doggy doo-doo bags are also great alternatives for this same purpose!

Hand sanitizer

I do a ton of handwashing throughout the day and night, but hand sanitizer is ultra handy and quick for more effective and speedier cleaning. I tend to gravitate towards Purell. It’s classic. For on-the-go, these little individual pods are great. At home, I love the foam stuff. It’s not as drying as other sanitizers. This sanitizer from Grove Collaborative smells great, but is slightly costlier. Either way, you won’t see any of that $60 Instagram-ad hand sanitizer around these parts. (Seriously, who’s using $60 sanitizer??)



So these are the items I’ve found to be really helpful and convenient. Diapering’s not too bad when I’ve got the right tools in my arsenal. What have you found makes the diaper change experience a bit easier? I’d love to know!

That’s not to say that pumping is zero-cost. I paid premium to get my Spectra S1 pump (and not needing to stay plugged in is a lifesaver!), but I only paid $72 and insurance paid the rest (the plug-in only S2 would’ve been free with insurance). I also get replacement pump parts free via insurance every month or so. I did this through Aeroflow Breastpumps but check your insurance coverage for what’s available to you.

I have found some things that have made pumping a bit easier and less messy. 

Here are five of my must-haves for a seamless pumping experience:

1. Cloth diapers 

I know it sounds weird, but seriously. My MIL got us these Gerber cloth diapers to use as burp cloths, and we do, but they’re perfect for my pump set up, whether I’m in bed or at a table. It allows for a clean space to sit items on before and after pumping.

2. Flanges that fit 

The breastfeeding consultant at the hospital helped me figure out the right size flange for me. Standard flanges are around 24-25 mm, but I need a 21 mm. I was so sore and in such pain before I purchased the appropriate flange size. I first bought silicone flange inserts to try out (around $6 for a set) and once I knew I liked those, I bought the right size flanges (these are around $20 for a set). I use both to alternate and not need to wash my parts every single time. I prefer the flanges because the inserts are just an extra piece to wash and install each time, but the inserts work great and are more affordable.

3. Pull-tab valves 

These aren’t totally necessary but are totally worth it. They’re about $10 for 6 valves (which is great to have extra because one rolled under the fridge and it’s never coming back). These feel sturdy and I’m not afraid I’m going to rip the valve in half after each pump session. Highly HIGHLY recommend.

4. Breastmilk storage bags

Some folks use pitchers, some store in the bottles they pumped into, others use reusable storage bags. I prefer pre-sterilized single-use storage bags that are convenient and safe. After testing several, I’ve found Motif Medical to be my preferred brand. They’re the perfect size, stand up, a pre-sterilized, and affordable. Other options may work better for you. AND don’t forget a fine-point Sharpie marker to label your milk with the day, time, and amount stored. It helps me know when my milk needs to be thrown in the freezer.

 

It took weeks for me to realize that breast pump wipes were a thing that existed. They’re like baby wipes made for cleaning pump parts. These are great for cleaning parts in the middle of the night when the last thing you even want to be doing is pumping. They’re also great for on-the-go and for cleaning bottles or pacifiers conveniently. There are multiple brands that offer this product, but I’ve been using these from Dapple Baby. Let me know if you have a favorite brand!



What’s made pumping easier for you? What are your go-to brands and products?

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance

Synopsis: How the mighty have fallen. Anna K, once the golden girl of Greenwich, CT, and New York City, has been brought low by a scandalous sex tape and the tragic death of her first love, Alexia Vronsky. At the beginning of the summer, her father takes her to the other side of the world, to connect with his family in South Korea and hide her away. Is Anna in exile? Or could this be her chance to figure out who she really is?

Back in the U.S., Lolly has forgiven Steven for cheating on her, and their relationship feels stronger than ever. But when Lolly meets a boy at her beloved theater camp, she has to ask herself how well Steven will ever really know her. Meanwhile, in Manhattan, everything between Kimmie and her new boyfriend, Dustin, is easy―except when it comes to finally having sex. And Bea escapes to LA, running away from her grief at her beloved cousin’s death, until a beautiful stranger steals her heart. Is Bea ready to finally forgive Anna, and let herself truly fall in love for the very first time?

Content/Trigger Warnings: Absent parents/neglect, Mental health concerns, Death threats, Drug/alcohol abuse, Loss of a loved one