Traveling with a Baby

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Traveling By Car with Baby

In addition to the above, here are a few tips for having an enjoyable and safe journey when traveling by car with your baby.

• Allow plenty of time and plan regular stops

• Know beforehand places where you might be able to stop for emergency supplies if need be.

• Know beforehand the location of hospitals and other medical facilities in case of emergencies. You don’t want to be stopping asking for directions in a crisis.

• If your baby starts to cry and can’t be comforted, make sure you pull over for a spell and take him/her outside where possible.

• If you need to feed the baby, do not do so while the car is moving. Never take your baby out from the safety seat while the car is in motion. Stop for a while, feed your baby, then be on your way again.

Traveling By Air with Baby

Traveling by air with a baby is not for the faint-hearted even at the best of times. Not only do you have to take care of yourselves and your baby, but most parents often take into account the feelings of the other passengers around them and this can add to the stress levels. So, in addition to our GENERAL TIPS, here are some specific tips for traveling by air with your baby.

• Airlines in particular are very good at helping parents traveling with babies. They know that an irate baby during the flight will make for irate passengers, and that’s not good for business. Having said that though, always check ahead with the airline to see what their policy on flying with babies is, and what facilities they offer (like bassinets etc). It may be worth while paying a little more money for a ticket on an airline that is a little more baby-orientated. Make sure to check with the airline what equipment you can take on board with you and remember that you may have to book early to book the seats and the equipment you need.

• If you request a bassinet, then you will have bulkhead seating as this is where the mountings for the bassinet are. Bulkhead seats are the first row in each section of the aircraft. While there is generally more legroom to be had, bear in mind that the armrests do not lift up as this is where the meal trays are stored. You will also be right in front of the movie screen so you may get disturbed by the proximity to the screen. In addition, you can be sure that when you stand up with your baby while the movie is on, approx. 100 pairs of eyes will be looking directly at you (especially if you cast a shadow on the movie screen!). Just some things to keep in mind.

• Some airlines allow an airline-approved child safety seat to be brought on board. Check with the airline you intend to fly with if this is the case. You may have to pay a nominal fee for the extra seat, but that fee is often heavily discounted.

• While, for the most part, it’s perfectly safe for babies to fly, it can’t do any harm to get your health professional to give your baby the once-over just in case. Chances are you see your health professional on a regular basis anyway, so just ask them about traveling and if it is ok for your baby (particularly if your baby has had any kind of respiratory problems since birth). You can also enquire about any vaccinations that your baby may require if you are going to some of the more exotic destinations.

• Try to book non-stop flights where possible. Stopping over, and sometimes even having to change planes, can cause a lot of stress for all those involved.

• If you have a stroller, use it to take your baby to the departure gate and then check the stroller in there as luggage. This won’t count toward your total baggage allowance that was checked in earlier at the check-in counter, and you get to use it around the airport. It will also be one of the first items removed from the plane when you arrive, so it should be there waiting for you when you get to the baggage carousel.

• Use the dummy during take off and landing

• If you have a stop over, let your baby be as active as possible – this will tire them out (and you of course) for the next leg of your journey

• Try to book the flight for the least busy time of the day or season. This way you have a greater chance of having empty seats that you can spread out in if need be. There is also less demand on the toilets.

• If you think it is going to be a particularly troublesome journey with your infant, you may want to consider splitting up the parent’s seats so that one of you can sit away in relative peace and quiet for periods at a time. You can take it in shifts to take care of your baby.

• Change your baby’s diaper just prior to boarding. Aircraft toilets are notoriously small (and can get bumpy during turbulence), so you may as well do the change in the relative comfort of the airport lounge toilets.

• Hassle the cabin crew to let you have a container of orange or other juice so that you can keep your baby hydrated during the flight. Don’t give him/her too much to drink though otherwise you’ll spend your entire time changing diapers.

• Don’t panic or stress. When boarding, parents with children are invited to board first, but you’ll often find that the other passengers are not far behind. Be courteous and aware of other people, but don’t be rushed or panicked in getting your child settled. Same goes for if your baby starts to cry during the flight. It’s not your fault, it’s not your baby’s fault, and there’s really very little you can do about it. Don’t let others intimidate you with looks, stares or any other kind of attention. Just concentrate on your child and do your best to calm him/her.

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