Baby on Board

Tips for safe & sane travel with your baby.

BY COURTNEY MURPHY, RN, ADN, BOONE FAMILY BIRTHPLACE

Planning your first vacation with your new baby can be exciting and presents opportunities to make wonderful memories. These travel tips can help ensure your child’s safety and reduce stress for both of you.

BEFORE YOU GO:

• Babies require a lot of stuff, but there are ways to shorten your packing list. When booking a hotel or vacation rental, look for places that provide cribs or pack ‘n’ plays. There may be services at your destination that rent strollers and other baby equipment. Some rental car companies provide car seats at an additional cost.

• Bring hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes to clean surfaces and limit germ exposure. Pack portable baby-proofing items if you’re staying in hotels or with family who aren’t used to little ones around the house.

• Protect your baby from the summer sun. Both the FDA and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend keeping infants under 6 months old out of direct sunlight. Using sunscreen on infants younger than 6 months is not recommended because there’s a higher risk of your baby developing a rash or some other bad reaction. Use sun hats, rash guards, sunglasses and stick to shady areas when outside. And don’t forget to pack the bug spray!

TIPS FOR CAR TRIPS WITH YOUR BABY:

• When traveling by car, stop every 2-3 hours and take your baby out of their car seat. If you’re traveling at night and your baby is sleeping, you may go a little longer before stopping.

• Plan your trip in advance. Map out your route and find places where you can easily pull off to stretch your legs, take your baby out of the car seat, and eat.

• Pack an easy-to-reach car bag with extra diapers, wipes, clothes, food, or bottles.

• Sit in the backseat so you can easily watch and interact with your little one. Entertain them with songs, games, books, and toys!

• If possible, drive at night during your baby’s normal sleep time. For daytime stretches, bring travel blackout curtains or a blanket that can safely cover the car seat during naps.

• Bring extra breastfeeding supplies or formula. If you don’t have a portable bottle warmer, most gas stations have hot water you can use to warm milk or formula.

• If your baby is on solids, pack food and a travel highchair.

• When staying in a hotel, ask for a corner room if one is available.

• Bring a travel bassinet that can fit inside a larger crib or pack ‘n’ play.

TIPS FOR FLYING WITH YOUR BABY

• Due to their immature immune system, it’s recommended you wait until your baby is at least 3 months old before traveling by plane. And don’t forget sanitizing wipes!

• The safest way for a baby to fly is with an FAA-approved car seat or airplane harness.

• Try to book a direct flight or a flight with a longer layover. If you can, book a redeye flight so that your baby will sleep for most of it – and pay for extra leg room!

• Prepare for the airport. Bring your baby’s birth certificate with you. Pay extra for TSA pre-check or curbside check-in to cut time spent waiting in line.

• You can bring a diaper bag, pumping bag, car seat and stroller onto the plane for free. You can also bring as much breastmilk, formula, and water as you need, but the TSA is required to check the contents.

• Pack extra outfits for you and your baby in your diaper bag in case you need an urgent change of clothes. • Before boarding the plane, use the restroom and change your baby’s diaper.

• During takeoff and landing, breastfeed, bottle-feed, or give your baby a pacifier with gripe water to relieve ear pressure.

Remember to be patient with your baby. You’re throwing them off their normal routine, and mishaps will occur. Your baby will cry, be loud, and do all the things babies do, but babies are allowed to go on vacations, too. Don’t let others make you feel like your baby is a bother.

Most importantly, have fun and create wonderful memories with your little one!