Every mother loves her baby. But not every mother loves to travel with her baby, and for good reason. Babies cry. They go potty (often at inconvenient times). And they require constant attention, which can be difficult to give when you’re on-the-go.
But despite all the negative aspects of travelling with a baby, most mothers are willing to deal with all the extra fuss to bring their infant along with them. But the next time a trip comes around, make sure to pack all the essentials so you set yourself up for a calm and enjoyable day of travel.
1. Convertible Airplane Car Seats
If you’re taking to the skies, be sure to bring a car seat that’s approved for airplane use—not all car seats are built for air travel. Preferably you should get a convertible airplane car seat. This type of seat has been approved for flying, and is built with a base that is small enough to sit comfortably on a compact airplane seat. Armed with a convertible seat, your baby will be kept safe and secure during takeoffs, landings, and air turbulence, thanks to the soft cushioning.
Reminder: it’s highly recommended that all car seats be placed in a rear-facing position for maximum safety.
2. Bags of Sweets
Here’s another good item for flying. When you take your baby on a plane, be sure to pack several bags of sweets. What! Why would I want to give my infant a sugar rush on the plane? Heck, my baby can’t even eat chocolate yet!
Don’t fret. The bags of sweets aren’t for your baby—they’re for surrounding passengers. Your baby is bound to cry or get upset sometime during the flight. Popping ears, restlessness, hunger, random crying; your baby will inevitably disrupt the fellow passengers.
As soon as you’re strapped in, give bags of sweets to nearby passengers as a courtesy for having to sit by an infant. People should be naturally courteous—babies cry, and you’d hope that people would be understanding of that. But some folks aren’t so patient. Win them over early with a bag of treats, and you’ll be good to go.
3. Portable Playpen
If you’re going to be travelling for a longer period or if you’re hitting multiple destinations, be sure to pack a portable playpen for your baby. This is a soft, packable crib that you can carry around as easily as a travel bag. The playpen should be light and easy to set up, and you can set it indoors or outdoors. If you’re travelling in a tropical environment, grab a mosquito net for the playpen to protect your baby from getting bit.
Best part about it? It’s washable! So if the playpen gets dirty (because of either a foreign environment or because of those stinky things your baby does), you can throw it in the washing machine and it’ll be good as new.
4. Sick bags
Sick bags are a necessity when you’re travelling with an infant, even if you’re only going short distances. When you’re on the go, your baby could get nauseous from altitude sickness, motion sickness, or “just because”. Make sure you get sick bags that are leak-resistant.
5. Baby Carrier
Strollers are also considered a necessity when you’re travelling with an infant, but sometimes they can be a real hassle. First of all, you’ve got to make lots of extra space for them, and some airlines do charge baggage costs for your stroller. Strollers are also difficult to use on some terrains. If you’re exploring a European city with cobblestone streets and steps, you might find that having to maneuver a stroller is tedious and exhausting. Stollers are also not optimal for tight spaces (like the lines at an airport).
Sometimes it’s better to just carry your baby. A baby carrier will help you get around quickly, no matter what type of environment you’re travelling through. You can also explore an aerial baby carrier with its lightweight design and easy adjustability. What’s nice about a baby carrier is that you get to keep your baby much closer to your chest, and you’ll get to see his or her wide-eyed wonder at the world. Plus, you’ll be able to tend to your baby much faster and easier than if the baby were in a stroller.
The first few years of your child’s life are bound to imprint powerful and joyous memories upon you. If you have to travel, whether it be to a different town, country, or continent, you don’t have to let your trip separate you from your baby. And with the right essentials in tow, you certainly don’t have to let your baby’s needs keep you from enjoying your adventures.
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