(Newswire.net — April 13, 2020) — Parenthood doesn’t mean that you have to skip getting bitten by the travel bug for the rest of your life. Sure, there will be a lot of changes when it comes to traveling, especially now that you have your mini-me. But know that it is possible, even for a newborn, to accompany you to your trips.
Perhaps you and your family want to have a much-needed vacation as a break, or maybe you have to go on a trip, and you need to bring your baby. Regardless, it’s important that you help your little one get used to being outside and traveling.
Know What to Expect
When you’re traveling before on your own, you can make spontaneous trips and just let the day surprise you. But now that you’re with your baby, you need to have an idea of how the day will go.
To give you an example, make sure that you have checked the airline policies if you’re flying with a baby. Will you need to bring a bassinet on board? If so, do you have an FAA-approved infant car seat? Babies can suckle to relieve air pressure, but how much breast milk can you bring on your carry-on? These are some questions that you must answer beforehand.
Another travel must-have for a newborn is an infant car seat. Therefore, always check the car seat in your car if it is installed properly before driving. Perhaps you also need to make some adjustments in the harness, or you need to change the recline angle of the seat itself.
But regardless if you have your own vehicle or if you’re planning on using public transit (e.g. taxi), you need to keep your child safe in a car seat. It might seem like a hassle, but it’s better to be safe. Besides, you can opt to search the market for the best car seat and stroller combo.
These travel systems are composed of a car seat and a stroller. This way, you can have the convenience of “on-the-go” traveling without needing to buy and carry multiple baby equipment like a bassinet and a stroller. And if you’re traveling with a newborn, a stroller is a must anyway to keep him/her comfortable and safe, especially in a public place.
You might also want to check the amenities of where you’re staying. Do you need to bring other baby equipment at the hotel? Some hotels already provide amenities like baby-proofing supplies and even things for changing diapers from the diapers themselves, including wipes and diaper pails. You can make a call to the hotel so that they’ll have the items ready before you arrive.
Travel Smartly
You can also hack your way to make traveling with a newborn much easier for you and for your little one. Some parents aren’t excited about the idea of traveling long durations with a fussy baby because it seems stressful. But you can do simple hacks to prevent that from happening.
If it’s possible, travel at night. This way, you are not disrupting your baby’s sleep schedule, and he/she will be asleep for the duration of your travel. You can also try shifting your little one’s schedule on the days before the actual trip so that he/she will be used to the new time zone. Your baby might also need some time to get used to the new schedule in your trip, so it’s better not to let the first days upon your arrival get too busy with activities.
If you are driving for longer than 6 hours, schedule some stops along your route so that your baby does not feel confined for a long time. You can also take advantage of these stops as rest breaks for snack or bathroom breaks. According to CuteLittleDarling, babies are less likely to feel anxious if they are sitting beside their guardian. If it’s possible, always have one parent to be close to him/her so that he/she feels secured.
Pack Ahead of Time
Lastly, pack ahead of time. You’ll avoid the hassle of needing to search for an item, and you also get to save money because some baby essentials cost more when sold “outside.” Just like tip number one, know what to expect and be ahead of time when it comes to picking what you need to bring.
You already have an idea of how long it will take until your baby gets bored and moody. Bring some entertainment to keep him/her engaged and less likely to get fussy. You can pack a separate bag filled with his/her favorite toys or activities like puzzles, baby mirrors, plush animals, teething rings, and art projects. You can also stock up your tablet with songs, movies, videos, and games to keep your little one engaged throughout the trip.
If you have someone with you, maybe they can keep your little one busy with simple hand-clapping games. You don’t need to bring your baby’s whole cabinet of toys, but just be imaginative with what you can do with the items that you can bring.
Besides entertainment, be prepared with basic needs such as food and water. If you’re flying, don’t forget to check the amount of liquid that you can bring. You can also bring a breast pump or bottled formula to keep your baby full during the trip. Newborns don’t need solid foods until they are around 6 months, so just be prepared on how to safely bring milk. If you’re driving for a long time, keep the bottles in a cooler bag with an ice pack to keep them fresh.
Now that you’ve packed your newborn’s entertainment and milk, the next items that you need to check and bring are his/her must-haves. Keep everything organized by putting clothing, diapers, towels, and items for diaper changing in one bag. This way, you won’t get stressed or end up misplacing your things when you need to change your baby.
It is also more convenient if you dress your newborn in layers so that you can just add or remove clothing if the temperature gets too cold or too hot. However, be mindful of the destination where you’re going because your baby might not need some of the clothing pieces that are in the bag that you’re packing.
And of course, bring a first-aid kit as well. You might also want to add a mosquito repellant, sunscreen, ointment, and the prescription medications if your baby has them. An emergency sheet with your baby’s health information, including his/her medications and allergies is also a good thing to bring whenever you’re traveling with your baby.