HOLIDAYS are for you to come back rested, not extremely exhausted, but travelling with your little one can leave you worn out, with many regrets.
To avoid this, here are some helpful tips to make travelling with your baby a more pleasant experience.
1. Check in with your doctor
First, it is essential to go to a doctor for a health check-up for babies under a year old to be up to date with vaccinations and weight-curve follow-ups. Verify if your paediatrician has recommendations or red flags about the trip. A chat with them will alert you to things you may not have thought about, like a change in altitude and how to navigate it for your child’s comfort.
2. Prepare your baby for a long-haul trip
Before your long-anticipated holiday, introduce your little one to short trips, by car and plane, if possible. This will give you an early indication of how they will fare on longer trips. Covering the basics before leaving the house will give you peace of mind.
Make sure that your little one’s milk bottles are ready for the trip to avoid surprises, considering which liquids are allowed on a plane and in what quantities.
Ensure that on-the-go nappy change essentials, a set of clothes, the unforgettable pacifier/teddy bear combo are all packed. Planning a bit of a buffer in terms of stops along the journey is a good idea.
Have a change of clothing for you as the parent to cover milk leakage if the time between feeds is too long or the baby has an accident.
3. Choose your destination wisely
Stick to warmer temperatures – minimum clothes needed, just the usual sunblock and lotion. Should you opt for colder climates, pack appropriate clothing or check online for shopping/renting opportunities upon arrival.
4. Pick resorts that are baby-friendly
Consider establishments with professional caretakers that can attend to your baby’s needs to ensure they have a great time without you.
Some resorts offer clubs for children with age-appropriate activities, crafts and plenty of toys.
5. Night flight is the right flight
As mentioned above, from three months old, babies start differentiating night from day, meaning it is easier to travel long haul by night with babies over four months old, since they will sleep most of the night/flight.
It is also highly advisable to breastfeed or bottle-feed during take-offs and landings to limit the impact on sinuses due to fast altitude changes.
Did you know?
A cute tip parents swear by during flights is preparing gift bags for surrounding passengers containing earplugs, sweets and a note saying, “Hi, my name is XYZ, and I am X months. This is my first flight, and I will try to be on my best behaviour. Still, my parents and I apologise already for any inconvenience if I have trouble adapting to the pressurised environment of the cabin. I wish you an enjoyable flight.”
This creates an empathic bond between surrounding passengers and parents.
