Travelling with a baby is one of those moments of parenthood that comes with mixed feelings. In spite of all the pre-planning and the foresighted packing, travel plans with a baby can go totally berserk with a just single bout of discomfort.
While the formula of “Keeping It Simple” isn’t really simple with a baby in tow, here’s how you can tackle the travelling blues, one stage at a time.
Before Travel
Extra time: Account for double the time on road, add in extra pit-stops along the way, allow for a fair amount of indoor time at your destination and avoid an over-ambitious itinerary.
Packing: Pack for just a three-day trip, since baby supplies like diapers, creams, toiletries, formula are easily available at almost all destinations world-wide. Do consider carrying a few baby safety accessories like a light-weight stroller frame with car seat and a baby-sling, as also a travel cot, and some entertainment help such as a compact portable music player and some favorite toys and music.
Health essentials: Carry all medications with the dosage instructions and remember to duly vaccinate your baby to fend off any allergies or unknown viral strains. Schedule your baby’s health-check close to your travel date for that all important ‘green signal’ from your paediatrician.
Food factor: If your baby is on solids other than formula, do carry some packs of his or her favorite foods to bring in an element of comfort for the baby.
During the travel
Feed on flight: If you are flying to your destination, feeding your baby in the aircraft during take-off and landing is a precursor to a hassle-free journey. Ear pressure pain can be very distressing to a baby and leads to tantrums and crankiness throughout the flight.
Disposables: Carry a solid supply of baby-cloths, wipes, diaper lotions, sanitizer, disposable bags and diapers at the rate ofone per couple of hours. The most stressful part of travelling with a baby is the cleansing routine, and hence it makes sense to be well-equipped in the matter.
Medication: Medication, if any, should be ideally administered before you embark rather than during the journey, for it to settle in and avoid any throw-ups. Consider keeping medicines for motion sickness, coughs and allergies handy.
White noise: Create an environment of “white noise” to induce a sense of calmness and help the baby feel less intimidated during travel. White noise audio can be downloaded from the internet, or purchased at stores.
Car seats: Cars seat are the biggest asset on any road trip as it is your baby’s bed to nap on, a chair to eat from and a safe and secure perch to watch the world pass by. When using car seats for babies, ensure that the safety harness is in place and the seat recline is comfortable to hold a sleeping baby on a bumpy ride.
Other baby travel accessories: A multi-purpose bag that holds the baby’s travel food, medicines and other essentials are excellent baby travel accessories to have. If the baby is nursing, a comfortable nursing pillow and a nursing wrap is a great aid to feed the baby on the go.
At the destination:
Pre-order supplies: Check if you can pre-order a stock of supplies at your destination to avoid over-stocking your bags and scouting around to buy new stocks.
Set up the room: Set up the baby’s space as alike to home once you reach your place of stay. Set up the travel cot, bring out the favourite toys, play some favourite music and adjust the room temperature and lighting to create a familiar ambience for the baby.
Stick to the baby’s routine: While holidays and routine sound like an ‘oxymoron’, a well-settled baby is an utter boon to the parents. Stick to meal times and nap times, so that the baby is well rested and less fussy.
Get out the travel gear: Assemble the stroller, latch up the sling or buckle up the car seat and set about exploring the destination with your baby in tow. A comfortable baby stroller in the fresh outdoors will do a world of good to everyone’s composure.
Pack in a bit of your good temper along, and you are quite ready to take on the world with your baby in tow. Happy Journey!
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