Leonora Bamford is founder of the popular online parenting and lifestyle magazine My Baba. My Baba is packed with expert advice and information on all aspects of fertility, pregnancy, motherhood and parenting. Leonora has recently launched the first product in a line of children’s supplements in collaboration with fertility guru Zita West and she lives in London with her husband, two children and two dogs.
Q: What is your first childhood memory of travel?
I vividly remember my holidays as a child. I remember going to Gatwick very early in the morning, parking in the long stay car park and seeing jets thundering over my head.
Q: Where have you had your best holiday to date?
I absolutely love Italy and I’d never been to Florence before I met my husband. He took me there for a romantic weekend and we roamed the streets as tourists, visiting museums, and eating too much ice cream.
Q: Where was the first place you went with a little one in tow? How did it go?
My first attempt at travelling with children was with my first born. We went to Barbados, very early on, for the Easter holidays; thankfully, it was probably the easiest flight ever and my son slept like a dream.
Q: How do you find the experience of travelling with children generally?
Travelling with children can often be fairly traumatic, but I always tell people that it gets easier with age. As soon as you can get rid of that pram, it’s much less stressful. Going through security with a pram is a nightmare.
Do you ever travel with your children for work?
If my husband or I have to work during the holidays we always take them with us and make a family adventure out of it.
Q: Where was your best holiday with your children?
Is it boring to say Italy? We’re a massive foodie family and we love the Italians. They’re always so welcoming and they adore children.
Q: And your worst?
Montenegro.
Q: What is your must-have travel accessory when away with children?
A giant Bamford shawl for me, which doubles up as a blanket for the children, and a Pink Lining wheelie bag. And an iPad all the way: the iPads are always fully loaded with old school cartoons, Disney movies and Hip Hop Hen apps.
Q: And top tips for travel with kids?
I try my best to switch my watch to the destination’s time zone the minute I step on a plane and start eating meals accordingly. That sometimes means having two breakfasts, but it always seems to pay off. I swear by Young Living Essentials. I use a combination of lavender and valerian, which I rub on the soles of my children’s feet before bed, and Aromatherapy Associates peppermint and lavender for any tummy upsets. I also swear by My Baba and Zita West’s vitamins and probiotics to maintain a healthy gut on holiday.
Q. What inspired you to launch Mybaba?
When I was pregnant with my first born I was overwhelmed by the volume of info out there and I wanted to be able to cut through it, providing a hub that parents could come to for the everyday information. We’re very lucky to have such a huge body of top go-to experts and bloggers on our team.