Ciara Whelan is a first-time mama; proud owner of one baby girl and her dada, five cats and fifteen pairs of Converse. She is a keen tea drinker, though it has been nearly eleven months since she got to finish a full cup. When Ciara isn’t playing peek-a-boo or singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, she makes her bread and butter producing TV commercials and programmes, the latest of which she also presents alongside her partner Jon Slattery for TV3. The Holiday Show currently airs every Wednesday at 8pm.
My gorgeous girl arrived 11 months ago and, as you all know, it’s been a full-time job ever since. So much so, in fact, that getting back to work seemed like child’s play. When I started filming The Holiday Show and settled into my hotel room after the first day on location, I thought to myself, ‘‘How on earth did you ever find this tiring?’ I had an incredibly pleasant day; I even had a cup of tea – a full one, AND a cup of coffee – a hot one. even I was about to have a full night’s sleep!
Until this happened: “Wah! Wahhhh! Wahhhhh!”
Yup, on my first night away from baby Bo I was doomed to sleeplessness… listening to someone else’s baby cry in the room next door.
“Do you want me to go to reception and ask for a different room?” Baby Daddy asked. “No, Jonny,” I said. “…because one day that will be us.” The following morning we made the decision that if we were to listen to any baby crying, it might as well be our own. Baby Bo was coming on the road with us.
So, here’s what we did to make the first road trip with the baba work:
Baby booking
When you book your break, don’t forget to mention to the hotel you’ll have a baby with you. As a first-time parent I have, on occasion, forgotten I actually have a child.
All I want is a room somewhere
… far away from the lift and stairs. When checking in ask for the quietest room they have.
Home comforts
Along with baby, don’t forget to pack Bunny, Blankie and SuSu or your equivalents. Throw in a cot sheet too, in order to prevent possible skin allergies; hotel detergents can be harsh, especially on newborn skin.
Safe as houses
Once the hotel knows to expect you and baba, they can have a cot ready. If you’re a co-sleeper like me, ask for the biggest bed they have. If Baby’s on the move, get the cot anyway. It won’t be used for any actual sleeping, but it’s a handy and safe area for them to play in. I don’t use a playpen at home because I know my house is safe. First off, let the baby chill in the travel cot while you scout the room for any dangers:
1. Check any doors to patios or balconies and move any chairs or other climbing opportunities away from the edge of a balcony. Do the same for any reachable opening windows.
2. Even in the best hotels, don’t expect housekeeping to be faultless. Scour the floor for any missed bits that could be choked on, also: runaway hotel shampoo bottle tops, a lost earring, a remote control battery, forgotten coins.
3. Pack an extension cable. It instantly makes one plug socket into a mega multi-tasker. Now with a baby in tow, we secure it up high to keep the dreaded hair-straightener out of reach.
4. Bring a safety kit: Safety plugs, a door-stopper and a nightlight. This will give you great peace of mind.
5. Be aware of blind cords. You won’t come across them in hotels but if you’re self-catering or staying in a B&B, be extra vigilant and tie the cords up out of reach and away from the cot.
Clean away
What is it with babies and remote controls? Bo is a huge fan. It’s worth giving the hotel ones a quick wipe with disinfectant when you arrive and leave. Milton wipes make the perfect addition to any nappy bag.
Milton-wiping the floor, unfortunately, won’t give it the same clean feeling so if baba isn’t crawling, bring a throw for the floor. The IKEA Tutig changing mat, too, with its waterproof backing is a good size for any smallies looking for a roll on any well-used and worn carpet.
Fun fun fun
Once a hotel room is safe, they are such fun places to be. Go crazy splashing in the bath, jumping on the bed and make use of long hotel corridors. They’re one of the best places for a crawling, wobbling or toddling race.
Sleep well
All of that fun can be exhausting. Once the baby goes to sleep, nab a hotel babysitter, chill out with the baby monitor on the balcony or in the adjoining room of your hotel suite, or make the most of the tiny yet ingenious invention that is a headphone splitter. Movie nights aren’t much fun when you’re sharing a room with a tot who wakes at the smallest sound.
Just don’t forget your laptop or tablet with said movie on it.
Brekkie on a break
For someone who usually forgoes breakfast, I love breakfast in a hotel. As a Baby-Led Weaner too, there’s usually a huge selection of great and healthy food for the baby. Get to breakfast early, (as if you were going to get a lie-in anyway). If it’s been one of those nights, forget about the buffet and spend a little extra on ordering breakfast in bed. Sure, isn’t that what holidays are all about?
Late leaving
Ask for a free late checkout. A lot of hotels are more than happy to oblige, and if you get that extra morning nap in, all the better.
The idiot check
We take turns in doing ‘The Idiot’ – once the room is empty, checking under the beds, in the safe, in the wardrobes, behind the bathroom door, for anything that might be left behind.
