Traveling with a baby can be challenging, but here’s how I manage it (along with tips from other mothers as well).

      Tiffany Reid is an editor in residence at Who What Wear, a fashion executive, freelance stylist, and brand consultant who recently held the position of senior vice president of fashion at Bustle Digital Group. She has just started a YouTube series titled Tried + True, where she guides viewers through the latest trends. My 22-month-old son, Randi, is well-acquainted with travel. I took him on trips starting from just 6 months old, accompanying me to cover shoots in L.A., then to Paris Fashion Week at 9 months, and a family vacation to South Africa (which included a 14-hour flight) before he turned one. I have certainly confronted my fears about traveling with a young child. This determination mostly came from a promise I made to myself not to be hindered by having a baby, but necessity also played a role in getting him accustomed to traveling early on. After Randi was born, I was in a highly demanding position in the fashion industry, which required frequent absences from home. Many times, I found myself flying across the country every other week for years. As a new mother, I wasn’t prepared to let my job dictate my time with Randi, which made him my travel companion the only feasible solution.

      Fast forward to nearly a year of being an entrepreneur/freelancer and almost entering my second year of motherhood, my priorities have changed. While I appreciate the creativity, fast-paced energy, and sometimes chaotic demands of this industry, this phase felt different. Stepping away from a rigorous full-time job, alongside having a supportive partner who reflects my feelings, allowed me to recognize that I was sacrificing too much of my personal life for work. I became so consumed by the details of work that I lost sight of the fact that I was secretly yearning for a break. This time, instead of working non-stop during New York, London, Milan, and Paris fashion weeks, we decided on a family vacation to Turks and Caicos in the midst of fashion month, my busiest time. I left the city immediately after New York Fashion Week concluded to disconnect completely during London and Milan Fashion Weeks, something I had never accomplished in any of my previous full-time roles.

      We chose to stay at Beaches Turks and Caicos during its Fall Fam Jam, which I must admit wasn’t my first choice for a vacation. I’m accustomed to bringing my son to places I need to be, like set locations, or want to be, such as a safari in South Africa. Honestly, those aren’t the most child-friendly places. However, this time was different. Beaches is known for being a family-friendly resort, and the programmed activities during September were designed to keep kids entertained. Still, I was thrilled to reach Turks, enjoy the stunning waters and beautiful beaches, soak up the sun, and forget about street style photos or runway shows.

      The experience didn’t disappoint, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that September is an excellent time to visit Beaches. With the back-to-school season resulting in fewer crowds and ideal weather conditions, the timing felt serendipitous. The resort offered an all-inclusive experience, so I didn’t have to create an itinerary or search for dining options. This also meant less movement, which is always a challenge when traveling with a child and all their belongings. The resort restaurants were attentive and careful regarding food allergies. Since Randi has several severe allergies, that was a crucial consideration when selecting where to stay and eat. Our accommodation was a spacious multi-bedroom suite with an ocean view, complete with our own butler who assisted us with anything from afternoon snacks to locating swimming diapers for Randi. There were also activities for kids, such as yoga, painting, and music classes. For parents, there were adult-only pools and restaurants, allowing for some much-needed downtime. We decided to hire a babysitter for one evening to enjoy a date night at the resort.

      One of my main takeaways from this trip was that not every vacation needs to be glamorous or trendy. Life evolves, and traveling with a child presents new challenges. The aim of this trip was to prioritize what truly matters to me at this moment—my family—and genuinely take a break from the usual bustle during fashion month. I had to consistently remind myself not to feel guilt about stepping away from work, as it will always be there, and that fear of missing out isn’t real. Additionally, I had to prepare to relinquish some control, as the presence of other children created a slightly chaotic atmosphere at times. While it was great for Randi, I found it overwhelming at moments, creating opportunities for unpredictable situations.

      My best advice for traveling with young children is to occasionally—emphasizing "occasionally"—choose a family-friendly destination for the convenience it offers parents. Along with that, consider hiring a babysitter if you feel comfortable. The resort had babysitters trained in CPR who had years of experience caring for young children. Even