Story from Jam Press (Maternity Leave Travels)
Pictured: Reuben as a newborn baby.
‘I am travelling the world with my young teen and NEWBORN – people call me crazy but it’s amazing for them'
A midwife is making the most of her maternity leave by travelling the world with her five-month-old baby.
Esther Draycott from Nottingham gave birth to Reuben in June.
Last month, the 31-year-old mum and her husband Daniel, packed a few bags, grabbed their toddler and headed for Vietnam – the first location of many during a six-month-long journey across the globe.
The couple were also joined by Esther's daughter Bella, 13, taking her out of school and educating her on the road.
They are using their savings and inheritance money to fund the adventure.
"We were on honeymoon in Thailand [and] fell in love with South East Asia and realised that we hadn't seen enough of life and the world," Esther, from Nottingham, told Luxury Travel Daily.
"We wanted to do some travelling ourselves but it felt impossible.
“I saw a post online about another NHS worker who was travelling during maternity leave.
"We didn't book the flights until Reuben was born and we knew we were both healthy enough to travel.
"A lot of people thought our plans were crazy.
“I don't think they believed we were going ahead with it until we booked the fights.
"The grandparents were upset that they would miss out on so much of Reuben’s first year but they were supportive because they know it’s an amazing opportunity for us all.
"My biggest fear was our health while we’re away but I was treated for a sinus infection and the private healthcare out here is outstanding and I made sure we took out a very comprehensive travel insurance in case we needed it.
“I’m also breastfeeding Reuben so I know he’s getting lots of antibodies and I don’t have to worry about making up or sterilising bottles.”
The family of four are currently in Cambodia.
They plan to cram in up to 11 countries