I started packing for Maia last week. This list help me a lot since it's difficult to travel with so many luggage and an infant in tow. Now I think we just packed right.
Here's a helpful article by to help us Mommies pack up for our babies:
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Travelling With Your Baby
It may take a little extra planning and organisation, but travelling with a baby does not have to be the nightmare some parents imagine!
The Items You'll Need When Travelling With Baby
- Baby first aid kit
- Enough food and milk for your trip (always bring more than you think you'll need!)
- Water and juice(if appropriate)
- Diapers/nappies and wipes
- Scented diaper bags
- Disposable bibs or a wipe clean bib
- Feeding bowl and utensils
- Food warming equipment
- Sun protection
- Your baby's blanket - its familiar scent will be reassuring
- Spare clothes for baby AND you
- Spare pacifiers/dummies (if needed)
- Breast pump (if needed)
- Nightlight (great for night feeds in hotel rooms, which can be very dark
- Baby sling or carrier
- Sterilising equipment
Feeding
- If possible, breastfeed your baby - by far the easiest option when travelling! If you need to express, you can safely keep breastmilk in a cooler with ice for up to 24 hours.
- If baby is formula fed, you can pre-make the feeds and keep them cool, or use "ready to drink" cartons of formula. Alternatively, measure baby's formula into bottles, then mix with boiled water as required.
- If you ask for bottles to be warmed for you, always check the temperature of the milk VERY carefully before giving it to your baby.
- Pack portions of solid foods into a cooler, with ice. Alternatively, bring foods that can be easily mashed "en route" and served at room temperature - avocado or banana, for example.
- If your baby is old enough, bring plenty of finger foods - they will help keep him occupied during the journey!
- If you need to sterilise feeding equipment, consider bringing a microwave steriliser bag, disposable sterilising bags or pre-sterilised bottle liners.
Top Travel tips
If you're travelling by road ...- Think about driving at night, or coincide part of the journey with baby's daytime nap.
- Always place your baby's car seat in the rear of the car and make sure you operate the doors' child safety locking system.
- Infants require a rear-facing car seat, not a forward-facing car seat like their older siblings use
- Many parents prefer buying an "infant travel system." When you use an infant travel system, the baby's car seat unlatches from a base which stays attatched to the back seat of your car...and then it pops into a stroller mounting when you reach your destination. Baby stays napping, without having to be lifted out of a car seat and re-strapped into a stroller. (see photos to right)
- Use removeable window shades to shield your baby from the sun.
- If driving during the day, stop every 2-3 hours - the break is good for your baby AND for you!
If you plan to fly with your baby ...
- If you can afford it, consider buying an extra seat - infants under 2 fly free, but are expected to sit on your lap throughout the flight. Alternatively, call the airline in advance and request an infant sky cot/bassinet
- Bring a stroller or car seat carrier to use at the airport - you can usually keep it with you until you reach the departure gate.
- Ask if there are any empty seats on your flight when you check in. If so, ask if you can be seated next to one - you'll be glad of the extra room!
- Breast or bottle feed your baby on take-off and landing, to avoid ear pain.
- Offer your baby plenty of drinks throughout the flight - flying can be very dehydrating.
- Always ask for baby food/milk to be warmed BEFORE your baby is screaming with hunger - there is no microwave in the aeroplane galley, so warming the food may take some time.
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