It may sound daunting, but travelling with baby does not have
to be a nightmare! A little preparation and forward planning is
all you need for a successful trip with your tiny traveller.
There are certain supplies that are essential for any trip
with your baby. The most important, of course, is enough food
and milk for the journey. Always pack more than you think you'll
need and include plenty of finger foods if your baby is old
enough -- these are great for helping to keep him occupied! If
you are breastfeeding and need to express milk, you can store it
in a cooler, with ice, for up to 24 hours. You can also store
bottles of pre-made formula in the same way -- alternatively,
you can add pre-measured powdered formula to the bottles, then
top it up with cooled, boiled water as required.
Another
option is to bring "ready to drink" cartons of formula. Whilst
ideal for the journey itself, be aware that you may not be
allowed to take these cartons with you into certain countries.
Sealed containers of formula do not normally present a problem.
Solid foods can be packed into a cooler, although a better idea
is to bring foods with you that you can easily prepare during
the journey. Avocado pears and bananas are good examples, as
they can be simply peeled, mashed and served to your baby at
room temperature.
Always bring your own feeding bowls and
utensils when travelling with baby - many eating establishments
do not have cutlery appropriate for an infant's use. A travel
high chair is incredibly useful, too -- and means that you can
comfortably feed your baby wherever you go. Disposable bibs, or
a wipe-clean plastic bib, can be very convenient when travelling
and they certainly cut down on the laundry!
If you ask
for food or milk to be warmed for you, be VERY careful to check
the temperature on its return. Busy waiters or cabin crew may
overheat the food and you will need to wait for it to cool down.
With this in mind, ask for any food or milk to be warmed well
before you're actually going to need it!
Many parents
worry about how to sterilise feeding equipment when travelling
with baby. There are many products available to assist with
this, from microwave steriliser bags to disposable bottle
liners. Most stores dealing with infant feeding equipment will
offer a range of travelling accessories such as these.
Other essential items for your trip will include nappies/diapers
and scented diaper bags. If you're heading to a warm
destination, adequate sun protection is a must! Also, consider
bringing a small nightlight - if you're breastfeeding, it can be
very useful in a dark, unfamiliar hotel room.
To help
your baby cope with the trip and to reassure him in new
surroundings, be sure to bring his favourite blanket. This can
also serve as a handy "curtain" to shield an aeroplane sky
cot/bassinet from the light, or for naps in his stroller when
out and about.
Dress your baby in light layers when travelling -- not only
does this make it easier to cope with fluctuating temperatures,
but if your baby spills his food, for example, you can easily
remove the top layer of clothing. Bring a change of clothes for
yourself, too -- baby's mess tends to have a habit of
transferring itself to his parents!
Enjoy your trip!
About the Author:
Christine Albury is the author of
http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com
- a complete guide to solid feeding during baby's first year.
For more information about travelling with an infant, visit
http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/travelling-with-baby.html
