5 Things To Know When Traveling with an Infant

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The holidays are upon us, and for many families, travel is in the plans to celebrate the holidays with family. A new baby suddenly makes traveling a whole lot more overwhelming for a parent. At such times, it may sound more appealing to stick close to home. But don’t worry. Traveling with an infant doesn't have to be a nightmare. By keeping these 5 things in mind, you can make the whole experience easier and fun.

1. Pack Appropriately
When it comes to infants, there is no shortage of things you need to keep on hand at all times. Diapers, milk bottles, changes of clothes, toys or some other form of entertainment, baby’s prescriptions are only some of the many things you will need. Make sure you pack enough of everything but don’t overpack, as that will only be more stuff for you to carry or take care of. When traveling with infants, it is always a good idea to keep a few plastic resealable bags at hand. You never know when you might need to dispose of or temporarily put away.

2. International Travel
If you are traveling internationally, you will need all of the baby’s paperwork such as the baby’s passport, proof of identity, and consent form if the infant is not traveling with parents etc. So, get these documents sorted beforehand. For air travel, you can make the journey easier by purchasing a seat specifically for your baby to sleep in especially if it’s a long flight. This way you won’t have to carry the infant the entire time, but you can keep her in a car seat.

3. Arrange Accommodations Beforehand
When traveling with an infant, you can no longer just wing it. Make sure you have planned out your trip properly, especially your accommodations. If you are staying with friends or family, then ensure you have coordinated with them well in time. If you’re staying at a hotel, book a room before leaving for your trip. When you do so, also request for a crib for your child.  Since most hotels only have a limited number of cribs available, it is a good idea to be proactive about this.

4. Strollers and Car Seats
When it comes to infants, strollers are a staple item and are perfect for traveling. Regardless of where you are traveling to or your mode of travel, it is always a good idea to keep a stroller with you. A lightweight stroller such as an umbrella stroller is ideal for travel. Moreover, a car seat is also a necessity if you are traveling by road or expect to be in the car even if it’s for a short while. You can also use a car seat on the airplane to make the journey easier and safer for your baby, but make sure you check the airline’s regulations beforehand for such equipment.

5. Traveling to a Different Time Zone
Setting a routine and a rhythm for an infant is very important. Traveling can interfere with that, especially if you are traveling to a different time zone. To avoid this, take the necessary precautions. try to change the infant’s sleep schedule gradually a few days before you embark on your trip to avoid jet lag. Keep the first few days of your trip as uncluttered as possible to allow your child to adapt to the change. All in all, traveling with an infant isn’t as difficult as many people believe it to be. As long as organization and pro-activity are your mantras, you should be fine.