Travelling with a baby definitely has its crazy moments, but it can be a wonderful and memorable experience. And, usually you’ll find that the things you worry most about, like chaotic flights or an upset and crying baby, don’t actually happen.
Here are some tips to make sure your travel plans proceed smoothly and that your autumn holiday is all you hoped for.
Plan ahead
To ensure a successful trip, have a plan in place, along with a checklist, to help you make sure that you don’t forget anything. For example, make sure that you have the appropriate clothes, food for the baby, toys and other essentials like nappies and wipes.
On the Road
Try your best to travel during nap or bed time. Driving with a sleeping baby is so much easier than when he’s awake and wants to stand up, crawl or walk, sing, play and do all kinds of things during the drive.
Pampers®InstituteExpert and leading paediatrician, Dr Hetan Hari recommends planning the trip around the baby’s routine by driving at night or early in the morning when they’re most likely to be sleeping. He says, “This also helps in not disturbing their sleeping patterns.”
He recommends sticking colourful pictures of babies or flowers to the back of the seat facing baby to give them something to look at during the journey.
Take breaks during the trip
Taking regular breaks is important for mom and dad too, as it gives you a chance to freshen up and stretch your legs, and to ensure that you arrive safely at your destination.
Renowned parenting and Pampers®Institute Expert, Sister Lilian,says, “Long car journeys need to be broken frequently to take into account the short concentration span of your little ones and their need for movement. Also ensure that baby is not hungry when setting out, and avoid any foods that give unnatural energy highs like sweet or savoury treats and flavoured drinks.”
On the plane
Pressure changes are very uncomfortable, and babies don’t know how to unblock their own ears. Sucking and swallowing helps to keep the baby’s ears unblocked. So breastfeed, or offer baby the bottle when the plane takes off and just as the plane descends (which is about the time when your own ears pop), this help ease baby’s ear pressure.
Nutritionist and Pampers® Institute Expert, Claire McHugh adds, “It is important to treat any colds or blocked noses and upper respiratory or ear infections, as excessive mucus can increase the discomfort experienced from pressure in the ears on take-off and landing. Baby should not drink for between one and two hours before take-off, so that there is a strong urge to drink when in the plane, to help equalise pressure.”
What to pack
Sister Lilian suggests the following essentials for your travel bag:
- A bag of special little toys that are used only in the car. Make sure that the same toy is not given on each journey.
- Music that soothes both the little ones and their parents
- Mobiles dangled from the roof of the car
- A bunch of keys and a magnet are very useful for fascinating older babies endlessly
- Older children respond well to recorded stories
- A change of clothes for inevitable spills and leaks
- Nappies and wipes
- Bottles and a non-spill cup
- A security item from home like a blanket (also for warmth as flights can be very cold)
- Rubbish bags
- Baby food utensils and cups
- Toys that baby hasn’t seen before
- A jacket and cap for small babies
- Healthy snacks like dried or fresh fruit
- A dummy for those who make use of one
For more information, visit the Pampers website www.pampers.co.za or visit them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Pampers
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