World’s youngest backpacker travelling since birth

When Karen Edwards, a 31-year old nurse, and her partner Shaun Bayes announced that they were going to travel the world with their toddler Esmé, everyone thought they were nuts. But, being long-time backpackers, they packed everything into one backpack, took their 10-week-old baby girl and took off. Boarding a plane when the tot was not even three months old, the family flew across the world to explore Asia, Australia and New Zealand, for 10 months during their time off from work. 

The family sold their car and put their house in London up for rent — and Shaun left his job as a landscaper. Karen, who is a nurse and grew up in Ireland said she stored the family’s liquids and lotions in empty baby food pouches to make extra room in the backpack. Since they first set off, the family have visited Ireland, Singapore, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, and even Hong Kong — with Karen breastfeeding Esme — who was given travel vaccinations before they left the UK and in New Zealand. “The overall aim is to inspire like-minded travel loving parents – your travel days do not have to be over,” said Karen. 

“It is all about incorporating your little person into your way of life. You can still do everything, including snorkelling and diving, but you just take it in turns. I can’t imagine having spent my maternity leave any other way.” 

After returning and spending a short time at home in London, which Karen says has been the most challenging bit so far as they’re having to find ways to entertain Esmé, who is now 17 months old, they’re set to jet off again next week to travel Thailand, Cambodia and New Zealand.