As soon as you have a baby, you will need to make many adjustments, as the world as you had known it to be, will change – the way you travel is one of the bigger changes.
Generally, everyone is scared as soon as they see a baby or a toddler boarding an airplane or bus. As a parent, the one thing we most certainly don’t want is to be “that” parent who has a screaming child that just cannot be controlled.
The main issue here is that children can be very unpredictable. You never know what they are going to like, what they want, and what they are going to do.
Your only way out of this situation? Extra planning and being prepared for the unexpected.
Check out our tips which you can use to travel with an infant without causing any inconvenience to people around you and of course, yourself.
Taking out time to prebook the airplane seats
When you were single, booking the flight tickets were your only lookout. But once you have an infant, you have to take into account the allotted seats as well.
For example, if you are traveling via a car, it would be better to invest in a car seat to protect your baby. But in the case of airplanes, do everything you can to avoid sitting in the dreaded middle seat. Not only will this seating arrangement to make your kids anxious, but it may also be a tad bit cumbersome for your co-passengers.
Your best bet, in this case, is the window or aisle seat. If you are late in booking the seats, you can always ask the flight attendants to help you shift your seat. This will not be too much of a problem as many are very accommodating.
Visit the airport restroom before you board the flight
Always make it a point to board a flight with a dry diaper on your baby. Once your baby has peed, you will definitely have one less thing to worry about. While you are there, apply a lot of diaper cream on your baby and if possible, put on two diapers to prevent any potential leak. However, keep in mind whether or not your baby would be comfortable with this arrangement.
Invest in the right tools to make travel convenient
In order to make sure your baby is comfortable and safe, buying the right travel equipment can be quite useful for you. For example, purchasing a baby carrier or umbrella stroller to roam about cities would be preferable as it gives you the benefit of unrestricted movement.
In this case, you need to be absolutely sure about the quality and durability of the product. Also, keep an eye out about any batch recalls as the government may recall baby products whose material or construction isn’t up to safety standards.
Always have some form of baby entertainment with you
Having your child’s favorite toys and books is quite a crucial part of your packing. Make a point to pack enough books and toys to keep them satisfied and content, and use them to distract your child from throwing any tantrums.
While you’re traveling in a flight, car, or train, pack these toys in your handbag or carry on having your child’s favorite toys and books is quite a crucial part of your packing.
Before sitting in a flight, car, or train, pack these toys and books in your handbag or carry-on bag that you’ll keep near your seat. It won’t make any sense if your baby starts crying and your luggage that contains the toys isn’t with you. So, it is better to always pay attention to this tiny detail.
Find out renting places where you can rent baby equipment for travel
We completely understand if it won’t be possible for you to carry so many baby items such as a stroller, car seat, and other necessary items whenever you travel. Not only will this add to the overall bulk, but it can also become extremely difficult to manage.
To help overcome this situation, find out whether you can rent baby travel gear. These can include highchairs, cribs, toys, and so on. In fact, start looking for places that do so and contact them beforehand.
Have your baby’s food prepared and packed
Whether we talk about infants or toddlers, traveling with food and snacks is always a wise option. The other thing that you have to consider is that not every country will have the same brands of baby food that your baby prefers.
Hence, carry your baby’s favorite food items with you to help you feed them throughout the trip without fuss. But, you also have to prepare for the times when you won’t have access to them. As mentioned before, foreign food can be a tad bit tricky – so be prepared to tackle such situations.
Make a point to get your baby any necessary vaccinations
Although not many people are aware, vaccinations are important before you fly out or plan to travel.
You should find out about the different, useful vaccinations that should be taken before visiting any specific place. The best way here is to research, and research some more. Be punctual in getting these vaccinations and not leave them to the last minute to avoid any extra hassle. An important point to consider is that some vaccinations need a short time duration between shots.
Double up the baby supplies
Consider this: the number of diapers, formula, baby food, snacks, and toys that you think you need, double it.
While this may sound like an unfeasible option, this is important to be prepared in the case of unforeseen circumstances. Circumstances that may lead to your baby’s essentials becoming short. Remember, a baby who is hungry, thirsty, and has a dirty diaper will only be a recipe for disaster and inconvenience.