The world does not stop turning after a baby comes into one’s life. Traveling is an activity that prevails with or without a baby. It is already difficult to take care of a baby, let alone go on the road with one.
The good news is, there are some ways a person can make the task of journeying with an infant as unchallenging as a walk in the park!
At what age is it safe for a baby to travel?
Whether it is traveling by plane, train, or even by car, the most important thing to keep in mind is ensuring that the baby’s immune system is fully developed. This growth will make sure that even if the baby gets exposed to crowds, they will already have their natural infection and cold-fighting defenses up.
Three months is the age that most doctors recommend a child reaches before parents decide to bring them along on their journeys. Most full-term infants will have fully developed immune systems by then. It is always best to get the pediatrician’s advice instead of deciding on one’s own, whether it is safe to travel or not.
Travel tips before the actual journey
A parent should get started with some travel tips even before the actual trip begins. This way, they can be prepared for whatever might come in their way.
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Visit the pediatrician
Always make an appointment with the pediatrician a week or two before the trip. Ask if it is safe for the baby to travel and if it needs any vaccines based on the destination. This visit will allow parents to get any questions that they have answered.
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Take only the necessities
Yes, babies need a lot of things like nappies, wipes, bottles, pacifiers, and the like. While packing, one might feel the need to pack almost everything because what if they need it? However, parents should be smart and pack the basic necessities only. This tip will help in reducing the load and also the stress to keep everything organized.
Travel tips during the journey
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Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not only healthy for the baby but will also help in keeping him or her calm. On top of this, if a mother can breastfeed for the whole journey, there will be no need to carry extra bottles and baby food. Since there is no “preparation” that goes into breastfeeding, parents can save up on bag space by eliminating sterilizing equipment from the list.
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Wipes are a must!
Wipes are most certainly the MVP of a trip with babies. Does the baby need a quick cleaning? Wipes. Did the baby make a mess? Wipes. Does a surface need cleaning? Wipes! As anyone must have noticed by now, wipes are one of the most useful things. Don’t hold back on packing a load of them! Cut down on some unnecessary stuff and pick some wipes instead.
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Keep the babies entertained
One thing that will surely keep babies entertained and help them to stop crying is their favorite toy. Crying babies not only stress out the baby and parents but also the other passengers on a train or plane. As such, one should always have something planned to keep infants entertained.
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Strollers for the win!
Strollers can multifunction as a bed, a chair, a source of entertainment, and a piece of equipment that can hold things like bottles and diaper bags. Depending on the type of travel, parents will have to decide between a lightweight stroller or one that they can use in any terrain and surface.
In most cases, picking a lightweight and collapsible stroller is always preferable over the other suggestion. In case the journey does not require a stroller, the Bluebird Baby Snuggle Nest is an excellent bassinet that a person can carry like a backpack when not in use.
Travel tips after the journey
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Baby amenities at hotels
If the trip involves staying at a hotel, do not be shy of asking for all the baby amenities that the institution offers. Get the most out of the hotel. They owe it to their guests.
Conclusion
With these tips, any parent can say goodbye to stressful journeys and worrisome trips. Always remember to pack as light as possible and make sure the baby stays well fed. Other parents who have gone through journeying a lot of times will have valuable tips to share too!
