For the first several months after your kid is born, you’ll generally want to stay near to home. A new infant demands almost constant attention between feedings and diaper changes, and the risk of catching anything while travelling is too significant. Plus, you’ll most likely be exhausted.
However, infants aren’t as fragile as many parents believe. And, by the time they reach the age of three months or so, babies are relatively decent candidates for travel, as long as the journey isn’t too long.
Now, rather than later, your infant is less likely to see travel as a nuisance. He also can’t run around and get into mischief just yet. So take advantage of this moment, because once he starts scurrying around, travel becomes a much more difficult task. To get you started, here are some trip suggestions:
Health and safety
Prepare a first-aid kit with the supplies you’ll need to handle minor medical issues when travelling with your infant. Even if your infant only need prescription meds on occasion, don’t forget to bring them with you. (Your child will always have an asthma attack at Grandma’s if you leave the asthma meds at home.)
Fill up an emergency sheet or save it to your phone with your child’s medical information. Include the names and phone numbers of your child’s healthcare professionals, as well as a note of any allergies or drugs he takes. Everything will be in one location if you need it.
In hot weather, bring a hat to protect your baby from the sun, and in cold weather, bring a hat to keep him warm.
If you’re going to be outside in any season, you should use sunscreen. Use one with at least SPF 15 protection from both UVA and UVB rays. (Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 is even better, especially for fair-skinned babies.) Apply modest amounts of sunscreen to your baby’s face and the backs of his hands if he is younger than 6 months. On older babies, you can apply it more generously to any exposed skin. If you’re going to use an aerosol sunscreen, keep it away from your baby’s face. Spray some on your hands first, then rub it in gently.
Your kid should always travel in the back seat, in a rear-facing car seat, and never in the front seat with (or without) a passenger air bag. If your car has top and bottom anchors for your child’s safety seat, the safest spot to install it is in the middle of the back seat.
Make sure the car seat is securely placed and the seat belts are properly threaded before you go on your vacation. Adjust the harness to provide a snug and secure fit for your infant.
To protect your baby’s eyes from the sun and keep him from getting too hot, acquire removable shade screens for the car’s side windows (available at baby supply and bargain stores). Shades that adhere with peel-and-stick adhesive are more secure and thus safer than those that adhere with suction cups.
When taking public transportation (such as a bus, train, or cab), bring a car seat to keep your kid as safe as possible. Even if there is no way to tighten the car seat, it will provide some protection.
Bring an FAA-approved car seat for your youngster if you’ve purchased an aircraft seat for your baby. This is the safest way to fly for babies. If you didn’t purchase a ticket for your child, you might be permitted to utilise the car seat if there are empty seats on the plane.
Encourage your infant to nurse or suck on a bottle, pacifier, or sippy cup if air pressure changes harm his ears during takeoff and landing. Instead of taking your baby out to breastfeed him, offer him something to suck on while he’s secured in his car seat. It’s best if both of you are safely belted in.
Remember that not all babies have ear pain, so use your best judgement. If your kid is sleeping comfortably, leave him alone and he should be fine for the flight or landing. If he’s bothered, he’ll wake up from the discomfort.
Take efforts to combat jet lag if you’re moving time zones and worried about disturbing your baby’s schedule. During the days preceding up to your departure, try adjusting your baby’s sleep routine and exposing him to sunshine once you get at your location. If it’s more convenient for you, you could wish to keep the same schedule in the new time zone.
Whatever you decide, make sure to plan ahead of time and avoid overscheduling the first few days of your vacation because you never know how disrupted your baby’s rhythms will be. If you’re flying with your newborn for the first time, it’s a good idea to review the Transportation Security Administration’s travel advice.
Food and comfort
Stay hydrated by bringing an additional water bottle or thermos, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Fill an empty bottle at a water fountain or buy something to drink once you get through security if you’re flying.
Bring ready-to-use formula or mix a few bottles of formula at home if you aren’t breastfeeding. If you’re flying, check the airline’s policy for bringing formula on board and give the formula to security personnel when you pass through security. You don’t have to use the typical quart-size zip-top bag, and you’re not limited to 3.4-ounce bottles. Security officers may, however, request that the formula be tested or screened.
Bring only as much baby food as you’ll need for the trip if your kid has started solids. Once you are at your goal, you may always buy more. (Exception: If you’re travelling internationally or to a location where you might have trouble finding what you need, packing a full supply of food may be less of a hassle.)
Also useful if your kid is starting to consume solid foods: Bring a bib that covers the majority of her clothes, is waterproof or has a plastic coating (so it can be easily wiped off), and can be folded or coiled for convenient travel.
Make sure you have adequate diapers for the trip (or enough to last until you reach your destination and can buy more). In case of flight delays, it’s a good idea to include a few extra diapers. Pack garbage bags for dirty diapers as well as diaper rash cream. Diaper covers give an extra layer of protection against leakage.
Bring at least one spare set of clothes for you and your child. Place them in a convenient location, such as your carry-on bag. A diaper leak, spit-up, or other messes can happen at any time, and you never know when you’ll need to change your clothes.
Bring a blanket with you so that you may give your baby a lovely place to lie down, crawl, roll, or otherwise stretch her little limbs when you’re in a park, a motel, or an airport.
Entertainment
Bring a goody bag with some surprises and a handful of your baby’s favourite toys. Nesting toys, babyproof mirrors, rattles, musical toys, soft animals, pop-up toys, plastic keys, and teething rings are all possibilities. To make packing easier, only a handful of items are required.
Travel gear
In your diaper bag, keep a travel-friendly changing mat to use in public or aircraft restrooms.
In your car trunk or diaper bag, keep some large, resealable plastic bags. They’re an easy option for storing soiled diapers, clothing, and bibs while they’re being washed.
Check your car seat’s height and weight limits: If you need a car seat and a stroller for your trip, and your kid is still tiny enough for an infant car seat, a stroller or frame that can carry the car seat reduces the amount of stuff you have to carry. When you can move your sleeping infant from the car to the restaurant without disturbing him, it also saves you the inconvenience of getting in and out of cars and flights.
For babies who can sit up, a lightweight stroller (also known as an umbrella stroller) makes sense. It isn’t as comfortable as a larger stroller, but it is lightweight and portable, making it easier to travel with. You might be able to check your stroller at the gate and have it ready for you when you arrive. Before your journey, make sure to check your airline’s policy.
Slings or front-carriers are ideal for transporting younger, lighter babies while keeping your hands free. For heavier children who can sit up on their own, baby backpacks work well.
If you’re staying in a hotel or motel, make a crib request when making your room reservation, otherwise you may be disappointed when you arrive. Before using it, inspect it thoroughly to ensure that it is safe and in good working order. Renting equipment or bringing your own portacrib, play yard, or portable bed is another option.
A portable play yard creates a quick, child-safe environment that you can set up in relatives’ houses, motels, or other locations that aren’t childproofed.
FAQ
How soon can you travel with a newborn by car?
When it comes to how soon a baby can travel large distances by automobile (more than 2 hours), the guideline is the same as it is for air travel – when the immune system is more mature, at around 2-3 months of age.
Is an 8 month old considered an infant?
A newborn is a baby who is between the ages of birth and two months. Infants are considered children from the time they are born until they turn one year old. Any child between the ages of birth and four years old is referred to as a baby, which includes newborns, babies, and toddlers.
Does an 8 month old need a plane ticket?
Infants under the age of two do not always require an airline ticket as long as they are seated on the lap of their parents or a designated guardian.
What age is best to travel with a baby?
While you may not always be able to fly at the best time (depending on your child’s age), it’s wonderful when you can. Most experts agree that the optimal times are between the ages of three and nine months, when children aren’t yet mobile, and beyond the age of two or three.
