While some parents just want to sleep and relax with the little extra time they get while parenting, others can’t wait to travel with their baby. In this article, we will answer all the paranoid question you have as a parent and also give you some useful tips and lists which we bet you would want to take a screenshot of.
When to start traveling?
All experts and pediatricians have different views on when to travel with your baby. The most accepted view is to travel till after they are 2 months old.
Whattttt the hell? 2-months? Why?
A baby’s immune system is very weak and hence they can develop an infection very easily especially if more people touch their hands and feet or are near their faces. Breastfed milk has properties which can prevent a baby from infection but to build up that immunity level you will have to wait for at least 2 months.
Why is 2-months mark important?
Paediatricians have a different set of medicines and prescriptions to deal with your baby when he is below 2 months. And not to forget, your newborn receives the first set of vaccinations when he is 2 months old. This again puts them in kind of a danger spot during the first 2 months.
So a 2-months mark is, in fact, a MAJOR deal.
But I need to travel before that mark! Okay then, follow the points below.
To avoid any infections to load up on your baby: ( If he is 2 months or has just turned 2 months )
- Make sure he is covered but not too much. Dress him inappropriate layers according to the weather.
- Avoid crowded and closed places at all times no matter what.
- Avoid traveling to humid places or in humid weather since humidity is the forever love of all the bugs.
- Put a safety net or cover on your baby’s stroller or car seat.
- Just say NO to any stranger who wants to adore your baby’s cuteness a little too much.
- If you want to go for normal shopping for grocery or clothes, pick a time when there would be less rush.
- DO NOT expose them to direct sunlight, just indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight can burn their skin very easily and can even increase chances of getting skin cancer later in their life.
- Sanitise yourself before and after your errands.
Just know that some people take out even (single-digit) days old baby and it turns out to be just fine. Trust me, that can be the case for your baby too if you follow the appropriate amount of protective measures.
So what are you trying to say?
Every baby is different, parent is different and so are their experiences. There have been incidents when a baby has suffered from infections and had to be hospitalized but there have also been cases where the baby was happier than before after meandering around a little. Just remember no one and absolutely no one knows your baby the best than you do so just listen to your parental instincts and you will be just fine.
What if my baby has already passed 2-month mark?
Congratulations. Here’s how you should start:
- Visit your pediatrician first and ask him about all the medicines and safety prescriptions you need to carry. Don’t skip this step since no website can probably give you a full-fledged list of what your junior’s medical essentials are according to his own needs. For eg: if your baby suffers from gas and constipation problems he might need different medicines than the baby who is suffering from projectile vomiting.
- Check your particular airline’s policies on what facilities they provide: Here is a checklist of questions you need to ask them.
- What identity proof certificates do they need? Sometimes your baby’s age certificate might not be enough.
- Do they provide bassinet, diaper changing table or any other extra amenities for babies?
- What is included in their baby food or any other soothing items, if they provide any?
- Do they allow you to bring a car seat, belly loops etc.? How will the baby be seated during the flight, landing, and takeoff?
- Are there any seat specifications when you are traveling with an infant? Like if you can pre-book the seats etc.
- How much do you have to pay for extra infant seat?
- If I am traveling alone, where can my spouse accompany me till?
- How much baggage allowance is available for a child under 2?
- Is pre-boarding available for people with infants?
- How do the above rules change when you have a toddler and a baby?
- If I have a car seat or stroller as a carry-on, how is that supposed to be arranged with the baggage?
- Plan your seat way ahead of time.
- Take connected flight with a layover of at least 90 minutes, if you are going to a far off location.
- Protect their ears since the announcements and sometimes even the airport area can be very loud which could wake them up or make them cranky.
- Carry a backpack diaper bag since it’s easier than the shoulder bag to carry.
- Bring baby carriers and wraps. You would be visiting a lot of locations and stroller wouldn’t be a feasible choice everywhere. With wraps and carriers, it would be easier for you to carry your baby.
- Bring a lot of noise making machines and things which soothe your baby like toys, books etc. There are many apps which can easily comfort and soothe your baby like baby shusher or white noise app. You can also play their favorite music. Bring toys according to their age. Newborns love different toys than children who have started teething. Learn a lot of games to play with them and read to them because babies love to hear their parent’s voice.
- Do NOT carry a lot of diapers. Every place you are going to will definitely have access to diapers or you can pre-order them to deliver it to your hotel on a specific date. You can also ask the hotel to keep your online delivered diapers if they are to arrive early.
- You can pre-order a lot of other things like bath items, travel size skin care products for you or hubby etc. This will save a lot of space and money.
- Carry nursing covers, pumped breast-milk and even breast pump since it can be difficult to feed while traveling. If your baby has included solid foods in their diet, take fruits like apple, banana or any favorite snacks handy with you.
- Call your hotel to check if they provide bassinet, cribs, baby food, if yes, what type etc. and any other questions depending on your needs. Some hotels provide babysitting services and special kid’s playroom. Now, how cool is that?
- Travel when your baby’s sleeping or napping time is scheduled. Most of the children love to sleep while they are traveling so it’s better if you clash your traveling time with their sleeping time.
- Know before time nearest doctors or pediatricians, just in case.
- It’s okay if you are a little paranoid about the germs. Most of the parents are, although, once they are 2 months there is nothing to worry about.
- Bring more clothes for the MOMMA too. Since you would be carrying them more, there are chances of getting spit ups and blowouts.
- Ask your hotel as well as airplane authorities about the bottle warmer.
- If you are bringing footwear. Be prepared to lose at least a few of them. Trust me it will happen no matter what.
- Dress your baby for quick and easy diaper changes like long socks and a onesie. Cover them up with a swaddle or receiving blanket.
- Give them pacifiers, teething toy or breastfeed them using a nursing cover while landing to prevent any ear pain. Everyone knows that jaw movements can prevent ear pain.
Take a screenshot of this list RIGHT NOW:
Here is a packing list for your baby:
- 5 outfits for each day including sleeping outfit and a fancy outfit.
- Bibs and burp cloths.
- Few diapers.
- First-Aid kit.( Thermometer, Tylenol, Saline spray and of course whatever your doctor prescribes )
- Toys, teethers, noise making machine and other soothers. You can always carry foldable rock n play.
- Wipes, rash cream, and other toiletries, if you are not ordering them.
- Swaddle blankets, receiving blankets ( 1 for each day is a fine number )
- Baby accessories ( headbands, caps etc. )
- Socks are a MUST.
- Take wubbanubs instead of pacifiers. Since there are fewer chances of a baby dropping them.
- Waterproof changing liners and pads.
- Carry-ons for baby ( slings, wraps, carriers )
- Nursing cover, breast pump or bottled breast milk ( whichever you prefer )
- Trash bag for their dirty clothes and empty bags for diapers
In your backpack diaper bag carry 2-3 diapers, waterproof changing liners, extra outfit, burp cloth, wubbanubs, few toys, wipes, bottled breast milk or nursing cover and separate trash bags for diaper and outfits.
We hope this article has answered most of your questions on airlines, hotels, and checklist. There are some emergency situations which you could run into for example getting stranded at the airport due to the delay of flight etc. In these cases, talk, NO Shout and Fight like a Mama Bear, they will definitely get some extra arrangements for you.
Happy traveling. If you have any other questions or tips, leave them in the comments box below.