Essential Tips to Know When Traveling with a Baby

Essential Tips to Know When Traveling with a Baby

A lot of mothers feel hesitant about traveling with their baby dreading how difficult and burdensome it might be for them and their baby. However, with the right information, you can make taking a trip with your little one a breeze. In this article, you will discover some times and hacks to help you travel comfortably with your baby. 

Tips For Travelling by Air With a Baby

With so many airline regulations, air-travel with babies demands for you to have access to the right kind of information so you know how to properly prepare for the journey as well as what exactly to expect.

The following tips should be taken into consideration for air travel with babies:

How Old is the Baby?

Some countries have aviation rules which only allow babies to be at least seven days old before they can be allowed on a flight. Your baby should be not more than 8,000ft above the sea level in the first month as thin air at higher altitudes pose a serious threat to an infant’s respiratory health

Research Extensively on Airline Policies

Ensure to confirm what your preferred airline has to say about traveling with a baby even before you get a flight ticket.

Make enquiries to know if the flight you will be boarding will be comfortable for you and your baby for instance; is baby food, breast milk or baby formula allowed on board? Is there a changing table for when you have to change the baby’s diaper? Are there any medical facilities in case of emergencies? Are there any discounts on children’s tickets? (of course your baby equally needs a flight ticket to get on board).

Prepare a Baby Travel Checklist

Make a list of all things the baby will need on the journey and plan for it. By doing what you have to and ensuring that anything necessary is not left behind.

Don’t forget diapers (lots of diapers), baby wipes, powder, plastic bags for storing used diapers and soiled outfits, nursing cover for when you have a breastfeed, a toy, baby’s travel document, extra clothing, pacifier, blankets to keep warm and medication.

Prepare Travel Bags and Baby Seat

Your baby’s clothes and necessaries should be in separate bags to avoid having a hard time. Your carry-on bag should contain the baby’s diapers and extra clothes you may need if he soils the ones he has on during the flight. Also have extra clothes for yourself for when he soils yours as well.

Aviation policy also requires anyone who is traveling with an infant to have a child restraint system (hence the baby seat) of about 16 inches which will be set up on the window seat where you’ll place your baby.

Early Arrival at the Airport Matters

You need to be at the airport some hours before the flight. If you’re a first time flight boarder, ensure to diligently research on what you’ll have to do before your flight. Your luggage will be screened all the way down to your baby’s bottles which will be scanned by screening staff before you can be cleared to take them on board. You and your baby will have to go through a metal detector with you holding your baby.

The Right Seat Matters

Of course, the right seat matters a lot if you are traveling with an infant. The best seat when traveling with a bay is front row window seats so you can comfortably install the baby seat without blocking the moment of other passengers. If it’s your first flight, you can go online and watch tutorials on how to install the baby seat or ask the flight attendants to assist you.

Keep the Baby From Crying

The noise of the aircraft which is new to the baby may make him fussy and cry excessively. To soothe the baby, a pacifier will come in handy for breastfeeding. Also a toy can help keep your baby entertained.

Pediatricians also recommend using earplugs to help soothe babies from the disturbance of the engine noise. Once your flight touches down, endeavor to double check before stepping out just in case you leave anything behind.

Tips for Road Travel with a Baby

Most of the safety rules covering air travel also apply to traveling by road. In addition to tips already mentioned in air travel, these tips will make road travel with a bay hassle-free:

Don’t Forget the Car Seat

For the baby’s safety, ensure to be on the right car seats approved by road safety agencies. Children should not be in the first seats but in the back row or second row. Unless a front-facing car seat is employed.

Weather Should be Considered

When traveling with a baby, bear in mind to choose the best routes with less traffic and potholes to avoid stressing the baby. Check for routes with petrol stations and cafes where you can refuel and refresh along the way if you are using private or personal transports.

Never Leave the Baby Unattended to

If you have to step out of the car, ensure that the baby is constantly under the supervision of a responsible adult. Never under any circumstances leave the baby in the car unsupervised even if you want to make a quick run because the car heats up fast once the engine stops running and can lead to a heat stroke.

If you happen to be the one driving and the baby is strapped to the baby car seat in the back, employ a baby mirror attached to the headrest of the back seat where you can comfortably monitor the baby through the rear view mirror.

Tips For Travelling by Train with a Baby

When desiring a comfortable and less energy consuming travel by rail with a baby, ensure to keep these tips in mind:

Board the Train Early 

You want to arrive at the station and get on your train without having to waste much time. Also, do not board the train in a hurry to avoid any injury to the baby in the process.

Avoid Heavy Luggage

Bear in mind that trains have limited spaces for baggage and you might want to be careful about over packing. Make a checklist of the things that are important for the baby and the journey and stick to getting those in your baggage rather than packing a bunch of things you do not really need.

Ensure the Baby’s Safety

remember, you have a baby with you on a train with a lot of strange faces and you would like to ensure that your baby never leaves your sight for a second. If you have to go to the pantry, then take your baby with you. If the baby has started to walk, then place him on your lap and keep him occupied with toys or treats for the rest of the journey to prevent the predicament of having to search for your baby from coach to coach.

Where sleeper berths are involved, make sure to place your baby in a car seat, secure it to the train seat towards the wall. When you are nearing your destination, carefully get off the train without being in a hurry. That way, you keep the baby from harm.

No matter the means of transport you choose, and no matter the age of the baby you are traveling with, safety for the infant comes first and must be duly prioritized. With the tips discussed above, traveling with an infant will become less cumbersome and stress-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it Safe to Travel with a Newborn Baby by Car?

As long as all safety guidelines are obeyed, traveling with a newborn on the road is safe but ensure to go with essentials and hold the baby sitting in the back seat.

How do I Protect the Ears of the Baby When Flying?

Airplane engines can be really noisy and this stands to put your baby in a position of pain. Therefore, ensure to travel with baby earplugs and don’t hesitate to use them if your baby shows signs of discomfort like covering their ears with their hands.

Conclusion

This article has covered all the tips you need for the safety and comfort of your baby when traveling either by air, road or train. It is important you note this essential tips to avoid discomforting the child and other travelers.