Traveing in Japan With a Baby High Chair

I can't say that i am an proficient since i only have 1X baby and 1X experience, merely after a iii-week stay in Tokyo with Junya for the outset fourth dimension, i am profoundly inspired and would be very happy to share some tips and ideas that i found very useful for me!

There are too many things to blog well-nigh and so perhaps i would separate them in a few entries perchance by category (eating out/dressing up/locating nursery, etc). This is the first generic one that answers some of the questions many of you lot have emailed me.

one. Kickoff and most important of all, is Tokyo a baby friendly city?

Honestly, yes and no. Rather ironically, Nippon has the nearly advanced, convenient and thoughtful creations for mothers and babies, simply the advancement (mainly Tokyo) also makes it very difficult to be baby-friendly.

Japan probably has some of the best baby facilities in the earth, but merely imagine the spider-web subway maps so have a look at your gigantic stroller. Out of my 10 subway rides with Junya (either on carrier or with stroller), i probably just got offered a seat like twice. Either the train was impossibly packed to spare a seat (or even nudge your mode to 1), or in that location were too many moms in a train to be all seated down lolol. Plus Tokyolites probably are too used to the scene anyway. They all think that moms have super powers.

A few people likewise told me they were surprised to discover out that Tokyo restaurants weren't that infant-friendly, and i myself was quite shocked that when i brought Junya to a yakitori restaurant, a women sitting adjacent to me would not put out a cigarette for the baby. (I didn't ask her to, but i assumed that she would out of courtesy.) But that is the delicate differences between Japanese culture and norms we are used to, and besides learning virtually TPO (Fourth dimension, Place and Occasion).  In this incident, who exercise you think is being inappropriate? For me, i was upset how insensitive the adult female was towards my baby. But to her, she probably frowned at this crazy woman who brings her baby out at a yakitori place (which is an izakaya, for supper/drinking, and almost always allow smoking indoor) at night (which i think non of the Japanese mom would bring their babies to. Usually.), and that if i care so much i wouldn't take gone there in the showtime place. But every bit tourists (sort of), sometimes nosotros do things a little differently.

And then yea these are just some of the things tourist ofttimes overlooked, and it'southward no harm to learn more in order to enjoy your trip to Japan fully.

2. Flying with a babe

I have blogged nearly my experience here. Almost ALL of the Japanese moms told u.s. (the danna and me) that if they accept a baby, the simply airline they will fly with is JAL. I have had my start experience with JAL this time, and information technology was goose egg less than pleasant.

The crew was just very, very thoughtful! gave me a paper cup with cap and harbinger (other people just get a paper cup lol) so that information technology won't spill hands (by those footling hands!)

They also provide rinyushoku (infant solid nutrient) for babies on board! They brought a few infant food in jars for me to cull, and then warmed it up just the correct temperature for little delicate tongue. And gave me lots and lots of wet towels lol.

The cabin crew even offered to take photo for me and Junya! She was almost similar a nanny (offered to deport him, play with him, cheer him upward etc), worth every yen nosotros paid lolol.

And most chiefly, Junya had really happy flights with JAL!

3. Show us your your purse for outing with baby!

I accept almost 10KGs on me (a 7kg baby plus all his winter apparels and all my winter apparels plus the handbag and sometimes an umbrella), so i tried to pack as maximum light as possible.

Here's a peek of my purse for everyday outing!

1. The handbag i use nigh every twenty-four hours. Simply a usual spacious canvass handbag and non a special maternity one.
2. Some other small "diaper pocketbook" i put inside the large handbag for easy admission.
three. Nursing greatcoat (very important if yous are breastfeeding!)
4. Pocket wifi
five. Camera
half-dozen. iPhone
vii. Bib
8. Disinfectant wipes (for Junya's toys and hands)
9. Wallet and apartment primal
10. Tissue
11. Lip balm and 1X lip gloss of the twenty-four hours
12. Nodo Ame (pharynx candies)
xiii. Toy of the day for Junya
14. Teether of the twenty-four hours for Junya
15. Pacifier (rarely used)

Another peek within the "diaper bag":

1. The diaper bag
two. Mask
3. 3-4 pcs of diapers
4. Disinfectant liquid (redundant this i. Can omit)
5. Infant wipes
6. External charger for iPhone and USB cable
7. Plastic pocketbook for soiled diapers

That's all! I have survived 3 weeks with only all of these, and then i can pretty safely say that anything else is redundant, at least for me and Junya. Unless your baby is on formula and then it's some other story birthday T___T. I know your pain T___T.

A lot of sacrifice after condign a mom hor. Last time i would have at least 2 types of cameras, 1 Ten big make-upwards pouch, 1X mitt mirror, and more! Now have to brand space for diapers XD.

4. Useful things for baby

Here are some of the things i find very user-friendly for our travels!

Inflatable chair

Actually it was a bath seat for babies, only i just brought it along since Junya couldn't sit down without support yet. Turned out it was a life saver!! He tin can sit at that place to watch TV/ play by himself.

And as well makes an awesome feeding chair!

Formula in cubes/sachet

Life saver if you are giving formula. The best is Hohoemi Raku Raku Cube from Meiji, and i actually plant another make that has formula in a sachet (100ml each), and it is Morinaga Hagukumi.

Foldable blanket

A must for winter!

This one folds into a Monkey Pillow. It keeps the infant warm outdoor, and if y'all use a stroller yous can just keep it in that location and then it won't be extra weight in your handbag! Also when you are desperate, information technology could make do equally a changing station XD. (Yes, i take done it before on the toilet's floor in a buffet because the toilet was cover-less -_____-. Of course i washed it afterwards la!)

Neck Bladder

Ok this isn't a necessity but it's sure fun to accept!

Since Japanese apartments/hotels all have a deep tub, you lot can let your infant bask some happy bath fourth dimension. No need to waste material money at babe spa centers!

4. Baby-friendly facilities in Japan

I in one case read a sign that says "Babies are the country's treasure, let's take great care of them" (somehow my translation sounds very lame in English than it is originally in Japanese) at a train station, urging people to be extra considerate to infants and kids, because they are indeed, the people who tin can save Japan'southward aging population. And then they do make great endeavor to provide an environment as baby friendly equally possible.

Baby Room/Nursery

Japan pretty much has globe-class babe nurseries.

I mean, just look at this.

Will probably practice reviews on the nurseries i have been to! I accept visited soooo many of them simply because they are too crawly.

Elevators

In most shopping malls they would take a (sometimes more if information technology is a family mall!) Priority Elevator, where an elevator operator is stationed in that location to guide people upward and downward. She would shoo people  out(politely) if there are people with strollers/wheelchair waiting exterior. So i always go to navigate pretty fast while other babyless shoppers were stuck in a long queue XD.

Rental Stroller

Most malls have them besides! I specially love this one in Haneda aerodrome! It's soooo comfy Junya loves it. And there are also lots of space for luggage and handbag (and omiyage!!!!!!!!) storage.

Auto parks

This is unrelated but if you drive (rental machine) in Nippon, look out for the maternity sign. Basically if you are pregnant, you are handicapped in Nippon lolol. Not a bad thing! XD

5. Breastfeeding in Nippon

A lot of nursing moms are concerned as there'southward still a huge civilisation gap betwixt Nippon and most of the western worlds, just it'due south safe to say that breastfeeding is encouraged and very commonly skilful in Japan!

Then far it's pretty alright for me! First of all there are nursing rooms in almost all major shopping malls and departmental stores and then if you lot go to touristy places in that location shouldn't be a problem! Train stations are unlikely to have one (unless continued to departmental buildings). And then stay close to shopping areas!

Sayaka and I in a nursing room at Omotesando Hills with our hungry babies lolol.

Equally for nursing in public, i haven't had any problems with it. I did it in cafes on a daily basis, and at random places like on a bench at the roadside lol.

Very unglam simply the baby won't wait. XD

6. What can i feed my baby?

I was very lucky that Junya was mostly still nursing, with an occasional solid lunch. If your baby is older and feeding is a concern, Japan probably as well has the all-time option of convenient baby foods.

Some of the things i got from supermarket.

Most of the days i feed him Kewpie solids in a jar. And they are incredibly cheap, similar 100+ yen (RM3-4??!). And information technology's Japanese quality and then i won't worry too much.

If yous are the more selective parent, in that location are too organic baby nutrient. The one i tried was called "Ofukuro" (looks like pic above), you can become it from the more atas departmental stores similar Seibu, Tobu, Isetan, Tayashimaya etc. Information technology's very expensive though. This costs 400+ yen (RM12) per jar.

If y'all run out of baby food and are panicking, head to a nursing room and probable nigh of them even have a vending machine selling babe food!!! *mindblown*

Cater for all historic period groups too. In that location will also exist another divide vending machine selling drinks for the adults. Hmm. Nippon.

seven. Where can eat with my baby?

Unfortunately like i said before, yous probably take to give up Michelin Stars and midnight Ramen if you lot have a baby attached to you lot, merely for me i managed to fulfil near of my cravings during this trip!

Will do a split up post on all the restaurants i ave been to with Junya.

7. Stoller or Carrier?

Mommy dilemma of the century.

Here are some of my thoughts.

Carrier

Pros:

1. Quick and mobile. You can walk fast and become virtually anywhere, upwards downwardly stairs with no trouble.

ii. Like shooting fish in a barrel to become into cafes/restaurants. When i had a stroller, i had to wait extra time for certain seats to be cleared. So when you conduct your baby it'southward so much easier to go into restaurants/crowded places.

Cons:

1. Your body will fall autonomously past the stop of the twenty-four hours.

ii. Y'all volition for sure regret if you are going to practice a lot of shopping.

Stroller

Pros:

one. No weight on mommy.

ii. Baby tin can sleep in it while you shop/eat/do whatever.

3. You tin can hang all your crazy shopping on it.

Cons:

one. Y'all will curse when you end up spending half your day finding an elevator but to notice that at that place are 45 other parents with strollers waiting to get it.

Until now i haven't found a perfect solution to this, but almost of the time bring both works the best for me.

Hither are some of the general rules and tips for myself:

i. Either i go with simply the carrier, or both carrier and stroller. Never the stroller alone. The carrier can exist kept below the stroller (or whatsoever storage infinite your stroller has). Considering when you simply have stroller and you reach a dead end (only stair case, even only a few steps) without an elevator/escalator in sight, you are dead.

2. When it is a whole day outing, i would showtime wear Junya and push button the folded stroller to take the train. It'south sooooo much easier and very fourth dimension-saving. Y'all can just lift the stroller and use the escalator. No more than frantic searches for the lifts.When i reach the destination i will and so let Junya sit down in the stroller. Do some shopping, go for lunch… etc. Until he protests of class. He didn't like it so much. And so i'd wear him over again and push the folded stroller.

three. Stroller is too extremely convenient for times like this…

4. If i am alone and but going for a quick run into-upwards or shopping for lunch/dinner, i always only use the carrier.

v. If it'southward a family solar day out with papa, we would definitely use both, as papa tin can do this:

Prissy. XD

So far by trial and mistake and working out what's best for us, nosotros had a rather smooth and very pleasant trip!

I would definitely do it again as i think traveling with a baby was non every bit daunting as i imagined it to be. But I'chiliad speaking of a baby at 6-calendar month old la. Maybe when he becomes a toddler i'd have an entirely different view XD. Then yea, you don't have to requite up your romantic/fun holidays once you have a infant! With a little more planning i'yard sure information technology would be an even more than enriching experience for you to bring your infant with you on holidays.

Let me know if you have other things you would similar me to blog nigh, or any tips you would like to share on traveling with a baby! 🙂

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Source: https://cheeserland.com/2015/01/traveling-with-a-baby-in-japan/

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