Let me be completely honest with you: I have anxiety. And yet, when Roman was just 10 months old, I took him on a month-long cruise from India to South Africa.

He was the only baby on board. I was the next youngest passenger at 32. Everyone else was retired, sipping gin and tonics, whilst I was obsessing over “malaria prevention for babies” in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Oh, and there were zero nappies on board. We had to take everything. For one month.

We smashed through 12 countries in 12 months. Was it easy? Absolutely not. Did I spend hours – no, days – scouring forums about babies on safari, researching every possible thing that could go wrong? You bet I did.

But here’s what I learned: if I can do that, you can do literally anything.

The Truth About Anxious Mums Who Travel

There’s this image of travel mums on Instagram, isn’t there? Flowing matchy outfits, carefree smiles at sunset. That wasn’t me. That’s still not me.

I’m the mum who researches the nearest hospital before I even book the holiday.

And yet, Roman and I have been to places I never dreamed possible. Not because I conquered my anxiety but because I decided my baby’s childhood mattered more than my comfort zone.

My search history for that holiday was absolutely unhinged:

• “Baby malaria symptoms”
• “Do lions think babies are prey if they cry on safari”
• “Can babies get seasick?”
• “What do I do if my baby has a medical emergency in the middle of the ocean?”

But you know what? All that research actually helped. Not because it eliminated the fear – it didn’t – but because it gave me a plan. And when you have anxiety, having a plan is everything.

12 Countries in 12 Months

Let me paint you a realistic picture of what “12 countries in 12 months with a baby” actually looked like:

The Highlight: Collecting some pretty cool passport stamps, Roman getting his equator crossing certificate, watching him taste new foods, seeing the world through his eyes, morning cuddles with croissants, that magical moment when he giggled at a giraffe in South Africa.

The Reality: Explosive nappies on safari, panicking in India because everyone wanted to touch my baby, Roman screaming in the Maldives because of the heat in an adults only resort (more on that later), sleepless nights worrying about everything from bedbugs to kidnapping.

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. But I won’t pretend it was some Instagram-perfect adventure. It was messy, terrifying, exhausting, and absolutely worth every anxious moment.

What Anxiety Actually Looks Like When You Travel

Because nobody talks about this honestly enough, here’s what my anxiety actually did during those trips:

Before Booking:

• Spent weeks researching
• Asked for opinions from forum strangers on the internet
• Bought an insane amount of items I thought would solve all my problems

After Booking:

• “What are we doing?” panic
• More research (obsessive this time)
• Reading every travel warning and forum horror story
• Creating elaborate emergency plans

During Travel:

• Constant low-level worry
• Hypervigilance about safety
• Racing thoughts about everything that could go wrong
• Genuinely convinced I’d made a terrible mistake whilst on the plane there
• But also… moments of pure joy and achievement

After Coming Home:

• Overwhelming pride
• “We actually did it and got back in one piece”
• Immediate planning of the next trip

Sound familiar?

The Safari Situation: When Anxiety Meets Lions

Researching babies on safari nearly broke me. The information out there is either “it’s completely fine!” or “you’re a terrible parent for even considering it.”

I spent weeks reading about:

• Malaria for infants (the medication situation is genuinely complicated cause they can’t have anything)
• What happens if a baby cries during a game drive (spoiler: the lions don’t care)
• Whether the heat would be too much
• Insect protection for baby skin

Here’s what I wish someone had told me: yes, it’s more complicated than travelling to Center Parcs. But it’s also possible. Thousands of families live in these areas. Babies survive.

Did Roman get malaria? No. Was my anxiety justified? Probably not. But did all that preparation make it possible for me to actually go? Absolutely. By the way – this is a fantastic natural baby mosquito repellent if you ever need one.

The key isn’t eliminating risk (you can’t). It’s managing it to a level you can live with.

Practical Tips from Someone Who Gets It

Forget the breezy “just be spontaneous!” advice. Here’s what actually helped me:

1. Research Until You Feel Ready (Then Stop)

I’m not going to tell you not to research. If you’re like me, you need to research. It’s how we process fear. But set yourself a cut-off point.

For the cruise, I gave myself six weeks of intensive research, then I stopped. Because at some point, research becomes anxiety fuel rather than anxiety relief.

2. Book Refundable Everything

When you start travelling, if it helps I recommend only booking things you could cancel. Yes, it costs more. Yes, it limited options. But it gives you an escape route, and sometimes just knowing you could back out makes it possible to go through with it.

There’s no shame in needing that safety net at the beginning.

3. Find Your People Online

Before the cruise, I found other people who’d done similar trips with babies. I messaged them all. Two responded. Those two conversations gave me more confidence than any travel guide.

The anxious travel mum community is small but mighty. I think every mum has a little in her tbh!

What Nobody Tells You About Travelling with Anxiety

Other people won’t understand. I got so many comments: “Why would you do that to yourself?” “Can’t you just stay home?” “That sounds stressful.” Yes, Susan, it is stressful. I’m doing it anyway.

Your anxiety might actually get worse before it gets better. The first few trips might not be easy. But gradually, slowly, it gets easier. Not easy. Easier.

You’ll still have anxiety when you come home. Travel isn’t a cure. I’m still an anxious person. But I’m an anxious person who took her baby on a month-long cruise through the Indian Ocean, and nobody can take that away from me.

The pride you’ll feel is immense. When we got back on home soil and I’d actually done it – kept a baby alive and happy on a ship for a month I was super proud.

Starting Your Own “I Can’t Believe I Did That” Journey

You don’t need to book a cruise or visit 12 countries. Your goal might be:

• A weekend camping trip two hours from home
• A flight to Spain with the kids
• A staycation in a different county
• Taking the train somewhere new

Whatever feels scary to you—that’s your Everest. And it’s just as valid as mine.

Your Actually Achievable Action Plan:

Step One: Pick Something That Scares You (But Not Too Much)

Don’t go from never leaving your town to booking flights to Indonesia. Choose something that’s a 6 or 7 out of 10 on your anxiety scale. Uncomfortable, but not paralysing.

Step Two: Research Like Your Life Depends On It (Because Your Anxiety Thinks It Does)

Make your spreadsheets. Join your forums. Ask your weird questions. Create your emergency plans. This is part of your process, and it’s okay.

Step Three: Tell Someone Who’ll Hold You Accountable

Sometimes you need someone to stop you from backing out.

Step Four: Pack Your Comfort Items

Whatever makes you feel safer – bring it. I don’t care if it’s “silly.” If a specific teddy bear or your favourite mug helps, pack it.

Step Five: Book It and Cry

You’re allowed to feel scared. You’re allowed to wonder what you’ve done. You’re allowed to panic. Just don’t cancel.

Step Six: Go, Even Though You’re Terrified

This is the hardest part. Your anxiety will be screaming at you. Go anyway. You can cry in the airport toilet if you need to. Just get on the plane/train/ship.

Step Seven: Survive It

You don’t need to enjoy every moment. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to get through it. And you will.

Step Eight: Come Home and Feel Incredibly Proud

Because you did it. Despite everything your brain told you, you did it.

The Honest Truth

Here’s what I’ve learned: you can be scared and still do it. You can have anxiety and still travel. You can research malaria prevention for babies at 2am and still end up on a safari where your son sees his first elephant.

If I can take a baby on a month-long cruise where we were literally the only passengers under 50, then you can absolutely do whatever trip is calling to you.

You don’t need to be fearless. You just need to be brave enough to book the ticket.

And then brave enough not to cancel it.

And then brave enough to show up at the airport, even if you’re crying.

Because those anxious mums who travel? We’re not special. We’re just stubborn enough to do it scared.

Your Turn

What’s your “I can’t believe I’m even considering this” trip? The one that sounds both amazing and absolutely terrifying?

Book something that scares you. Research it to within an inch of its life. Pack your emotional support items. Use my free baby packing checklist to get started.

Your future self will thank you.

And your kids will grow up knowing that being scared doesn’t mean you can’t be brave.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go research our next trip. I’m thinking somewhere that requires seventeen vaccinations. Because apparently, I like making my anxiety work overtime.