Travel Baby

For many of us, air travel is part of our lives, as we go on holidays, business trips, visit friends or relatives. But for children, flying can be an adventure beyond imagination! Some love it, some hate it and others will be indifferent, as long as they are with their trusted parent.

In any case it is good to plan ahead and travel prepared otherwise even your 50 min short flight (or however long your flying) will feel like you are flying to the end of the world!

Tips for flying with your baby:

• Have plenty of fluid to give your baby during the flight and make sure that she is drinking or eating during take off and landing. That way you will automatically get her to ‘equalize’, that is adjust to the changes in air cabin pressure by swallowing.
• However, taking fluids on board is not necessarily that straight forward these days with heightened safety measures. Custom officials may ask you to open a milk carton/ bottle and sample the contents in front of their eyes – regardless of the fact that this may spoil the milk for your baby or leave you stuck with an open carton. You should definitely check with your airline what types of restrictions are currently in place before you pack your bags!
• If you are breast feeding then you are obviously not going to have any problems with taking extra fluids on board so if you are about to travel somewhere by plane it may well be worth delaying weaning your baby off your breast until after your trip. Read more…

Getting ready for a trip with your baby can be made a lot easier with some pre-planning. Here are some ideas…

1. Don’t wait for the last minute. Start preparing to pack a few weeks before you travel. Keep an ongoing list of items to bring, or put items out on a table or chest of drawers as you think of them. Get a free ebook Packing Lists for Baby Travel Here are some item to consider.
   • Diapers- One for each hour you’ll be in transit, plus extras in case of emergencies or delays.
   • Baby blanket- Bring at least one for comfort, shade and warmth.
   • Plastic bags that can be resealed- Pack some medium-sized ones for stashing dirty diapers, clothes and bibs.
   • Diaper rash cream.
   • Baby wipes.
   • Baby bath and lotion.
   • Tissues.
   • Extra soothers.
   • Clothes- One to two outfits per day. Pack cotton layers for traveling.
   • Washable bibs.
   • Bottles.
   • Sun hat and sun screen.
   • Food, formula, water and/or juice- Bring more than you think you’ll need for the trip, as you can’t predict travel delays.
   • Breast pump- For expressing breast milk.
   • Baby carriers- Easy to pack and a great way to reduce the amount that your baby cries during the trip. Studies have shown that babies who were carried in a sling or in their parents’ arms cried less than other babies. It also frees your hands up for other items.
   • Travel bed to keep baby safe and comfy.
   • Baby car seat for safe travel by car, plane, train, or bus.
   • Portable baby stroller.
   • Portable high chair.
2. Use a baby diaper bag with a waterproof lining and a shoulder strap. Make sure that your diaper bag has lots of compartments for organizing your items.
3. Pack an extra shirt or top for yourself in your hand luggage in case of accidents.
4. Prevent leaks by packing medicines and toiletries in re-sealable plastic bags
5. Bring a changing mat to put under your baby during diaper changes. Better yet use a diaper bag that has a built in changing mat.
6. Pack an energy-boosting snack handy for yourself.
7. Bring your camera and plenty of film or digital memory cards.
8. Pack a clip-on reading light so you can read without disturbing your baby.