July 2025First Flight with a Baby: Singapore to Phuket, Thailand
We planned this trip soon after our baby was born. Something to look forward to, a marker on the horizon that life and travel could continue, just differently. In the months that followed, anticipation mixed with the occasional flutter of anxiety. Not hesitation exactly, but the quiet gathering of courage that comes before any first. The first trip. The first flight. The first time figuring out what it means to travel as three.
Phuket was close. The flights were short. And when the time came, we went.
Trip Snapshot
Route: Singapore → Phuket | Singapore Airlines
Departure: 10:00 AM · 1h 50min Flight
Time Difference: --1 hour
Arrival Airport: Phuket International Airport
Travel Type: Short-haul Family Trip · 4 Adults + 1 Baby
Baby:5 Months
Thoughts About First Flight
Taking our first flight with a baby and being away from home felt daunting at first.
Looking back, it turned out to be more manageable than expected, mainly because we kept things simple and stuck to our usual routine.
Travelling There
Getting To The Airport
We kept to our normal morning routine instead of waking earlier than usual. After a quick breakfast, we booked a cab when we were ready.
In Singapore, taxis are frequent enough that advance booking isn’t necessary, and it also helps avoid additional booking fees.
Our little one travelled in a capsule car seat we brought along, which we had planned to use throughout the trip in Thailand as well, for consistency and safety.
At The Airport
After clearing departure procedures, we checked in our stroller at the gate.
We realised we had forgotten our baby carrier, but didn’t end up needing it for this short, resort-based trip.
In-Flight Experience (Under 2h)
We fed our baby during take-off, which worked well and helped keep him calm. There was no crying or visible discomfort.
The short flight duration meant the time passed quickly. Looking back, what helped most was keeping to our usual routine rather than over-preparing, and feeding during take-off, which settled him almost immediately.
Before we knew it, we had arrived in Phuket.
Gears Used In Transit [WIP article link-out]
Location: Phuket (Yamu Peninsula)
Stay Duration: 2 Nights
Room Type: Bay Suite
Travelling party: 2 Adults, 1 Baby (+ Grandparents At Times)
Vibe: Slow, Quiet, Resort-Only Stay
COMO Point Yamu
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Feeding & Cleaning
We turned the spare toilet into a station for washing and sterilising bottles and pump parts, which worked well for keeping things contained.
A small milk prep area was set up on a side table next to the mini fridge and kettle. As hotel mini fridges may not always be cold enough for milk storage, we used a Ceris Chill bottle.
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Bath & Baby Care
The bathroom was spacious, with double sinks and a large bathtub where our baby could bathe and play on days we didn’t use the pool.
Baby toiletries were also provided, which was a thoughtful touch.
The extra single bed was also used as a diaper-changing station.
Core Memory
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Sleeping & Space
A baby cot was set up before arrival, along with pillows and blankets.
The room was spacious enough to move around comfortably, including space to wheel the stroller indoors when needed.
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Beyond The Room
Good To Know
COMO Point Yamu is not in a walkable area. This was intentional. Quiet and secluded, it's best suited for a stay-in, slow-paced trip. For a change of pace, we headed out briefly to Jungceylon Shopping Centre — but mostly, we stayed in, and that was enough.
Dining included a mix of Asian and Western options, making it easy to stay in without feeling limited. The breakfast area is not air-conditioned and can get quite warm in the mornings. Bringing a stroller fan helped, especially when dining with a baby.
A compact baby mobile came in handy for keeping our baby occupied while we packed or got ready.
We were also travelling with grandparents and had rooms next to each other, which made it easy to have an extra pair of hands when needed.
The balcony overlooking Yamu Bay was a quiet highlight, especially in the early mornings.
The open view made for a calm and unhurried start to each day.
Colouring sets and small kid-friendly activities were also provided. While our baby was still too young to use them, it was a thoughtful touch for families.
We were by the sea when the wind picked up, stronger than anything we get back home. Our little one was sitting on grandma's lap, and the moment it hit him, he broke into the kind of laughter you can't manufacture. Uncontrollable, sustained, completely delighted. It was infectious, and grandma soon started laughing too.
The sparkle in his eyes was priceless.
Phuket Old Town
We stopped briefly in Phuket Old Town on the way — hot, lively, and colourful. A short visit was more than enough with a baby in a pram, but it was a welcome change of pace between the two hotels.
Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas
Location: Phuket (Resort Cluster Area)
Stay Duration: 2 Nights
Room Type: Pool Pavilion Villa
Travelling Party: 4 Adults, 1 Baby
Vibe: Slow, Quiet, Beach Resort Stay
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Feeding & Cleaning
We used the kitchen sink for washing bottles and pump parts, including sterilisation, which kept routines simple and consistent.
The hidden fridge was a nice surprise for storing milk. We had expected to rely on a portable cooler, so this made things easier.
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Bath & Baby Care
Bathing our baby in the sink worked better than the bathtub, as it was easier to manage given the height and space.
We also lined the study desk with towels and used it as a diaper changing station.
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Sleeping & Space
A baby cot was set up before arrival, along with pillows and blankets.
Overall, the villa setup worked well for daily baby care.
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Beyond The Room
The private pool became an unexpected highlight of our stay.
It gave us more flexibility around our baby’s nap schedule, making it easier to enjoy spontaneous dips with the grandparents without needing to plan or pack each time.
These small, in-between moments made the experience feel especially relaxed.
Reflections
One thing that stood out in Phuket was how genuinely welcoming people were towards babies. From service staff to strangers passing by, there was always a smile, a small gesture, or an effort to make our baby smile back. It made us feel unexpectedly at ease and very welcomed throughout our stay.
Nobody quite prepares you for this: the work doesn't stop when the baby naps or sleeps. After settling our little one down each night, there was always at least another hour ahead of us. Washing bottles and pump parts, topping up the milk powder for the next day, boiling water to refill the hot water flasks for feeds. The kind of tasks that feel small individually but add up quickly at the end of a full day. Even on the nights we wanted to do nothing, they were still waiting. They don't disappear. They just get pushed to the next morning at most. It's a rhythm you find eventually, but those first nights away from home, the mental load of planning and anticipating what's next is real.
Good To Know
Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villa is a lively place that shares its facilities (sports courts etc.) with Anantara Vacation Club, which is just next door. It’s best suited for families who like exploring different activities together within the compound.
Final Thoughts
Starting the trip at COMO gave us the space to ease into travelling with a baby, setting a calm tone for the days that followed.
Having a comfortable base made a big difference for this first trip. We kept things simple, stayed in more than we went out, and adjusted along the way. It felt like a gentle introduction to travelling as a family—a reminder that sometimes, slowing down is enough.
It also turned out to be a simple but meaningful way to mark our third wedding anniversary.