Baby on Board: Expert Tips for Stress-Free Travel
• Posted July 17 • 2024.
When we have a baby at home, we know it's a challenge—a beautiful one, but still a challenge—in many aspects of our lives, especially if we are first-time parents. One of these challenges is traveling with a baby, particularly by airplane, which is a confined space where it's impossible to just stop for a moment to see what the baby needs, and it's also filled with people we simply don't know. I remember once, while traveling by train, my baby threw a monumental tantrum and cried for the entire journey of over an hour. Believe me, I've been there; I know what it's like to travel with a baby and more importantly, I know how to do it.
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Mindset
No matter how many tips you read or receive from family and friends, it's likely that your baby will cry during the trip. Why? Well, simply because they are a baby, and that's what babies do. Some are noisier, some less so, but it's normal for a baby to cry, whether because they are hungry, cold, hot, thirsty, uncomfortable, or maybe just felt like it. As I mentioned earlier, my baby once cried the entire train journey, fortunately, it was a short trip of just over an hour. I want to clarify that the baby was simply uncomfortable with the travel, nothing serious, but you can imagine a train full of people—I honestly didn't know where to hide. I'll be honest, at that moment, I felt embarrassed around the other people. However, after giving it some thought and as time passed and my baby grew up, I realized that I shouldn't feel any shame at all—babies cry, they always have, and they always will.
Of course, there are ways to distract them, to comfort them, but there will be times when they just want to cry, and it's more common during a trip. Imagine on a plane, if an adult needs their ears unblocked or needs to walk a little down the aisle to stretch and distract themselves, what about a baby? They are going to be uncomfortable, but unlike an adult or child, they can't tell us in any other way than by crying. So focus on the fact that it's inevitable and it's going to happen, but most importantly, that there's nothing wrong with it. Remember, adults talk as babies cry, it's just normal.
The last time I flew and there was a baby, something happened that many parents do before a flight. They were handing out candies to each passenger with a little apology note because they had a baby and knew it was going to make noise crying. I found it a sweet and considerate gesture, but I told the mother that it wasn't necessary, that I appreciated it but understood that a baby was going to cry on the flight, and that she shouldn't worry at all. We smiled because we both knew what it's like to travel with a baby.
Comfort and Safety of the Baby
Well, for the duration of the flight, it is necessary to ensure that the baby travels as comfortably as possible. Make sure that the airline allows the use of baby seats on board so you can accommodate them in a way that is comfortable and safe. If mom and dad are traveling with the baby, I always positioned the baby in the middle, so either one could watch and attend to them, while they were comfortable in their seat. Remember that generally, during takeoff and landing, you should hold the baby in your arms and you can use the baby seats starting from 10,000 feet in altitude.
On the other hand, don't forget to plan their clothing according to the climate of the destination you are traveling to, but don't forget to consider sudden changes in temperature to carry additional garments. We all know that when there is a baby, there are not enough precautions to take care of them. A soft fabric blanket is always a great idea, regardless of the destination, remember that they feel the weather differently and therefore need more care, even when you may not feel the need.
Travel Planning
Flight Schedules
Whenever possible, try to arrange flights that align with your baby's sleep schedule. This can help reduce their discomfort and ensure a better travel experience with less stress. For example, flying at night and having some luck can help your baby sleep through most of the journey, reducing the stress of distributing candies to other passengers. Don't forget, babies cry as adults talk, it's normal.
Accommodation
When choosing your accommodation, consider not only the amenities for adults but especially for the baby. Areas for cribs, breastfeeding, or baby pools will make a big difference in the travel experience for everyone. If you're on a family trip, try not to delegate baby care to their siblings, as it will stress them out, believe me. However, involve them in games and activities with the baby, even if the baby is just watching, but please don't think about giving additional stress to a child by leaving them in charge of a mini-human. They also want to have fun, and it's our role as parents to make sure that happens and to take care of everyone, sometimes at the cost of our own fun. It sucks right? LOL
Health and Nutrition
Medications and First Aid Kit
Every mom on this planet would want to bring a hospital on the trip for their baby, but believe me, it's not necessary, just bring a first aid kit appropriate for the baby's age, the medicines they are taking (if any), and that's it. Don't overpack with medications or tools that are not needed and that if needed, the hotel will have some, and if it's something serious, it's better to take them to a doctor at the destination, and not try to solve it by yourself.
An important point, don't forget a good, good supply of diapers, you will need them, as well as wipes, bibs, and everything necessary. Research if your destination sells what your baby uses, to avoid rashes and others, if so, you can buy them at the destination without any problem, if not, try to look for similar ones or simply bring them all from home, if not your baby will suffer and express their discomfort in very loud ways, so that all the hotel guests are aware of the situation.
Feeding
At this point, it is necessary to consider what your baby eats, whether breast milk, formula, or if they are already on some kind of baby food. I suggest traveling with a thermal bag that will keep food fresh for longer, especially if you are traveling to a warm climate. We all know that we can prepare some bottles of milk beforehand or keep the formula powder ready in the bottle, just to add water, stir, and feed the infant during the trip. Normally, it's not good for the baby to eat things they are not used to, and it's an even worse idea if we are in a place with very different food from home, like in another country. Avoid a scare and maintain their usual diet.
Documentation and Insurance
Necessary Documents
This actually applies to adults, babies, children, and the elderly. Never forget the necessary documents for travel, such as passports or visas if the trip is abroad.
Travel Insurance
This point also applies to all travelers. Don't forget to purchase medical insurance that covers your entire family, this way you'll be more at ease during the trip and supported in case of any emergency.
Entertainment and Comfort
Bring your baby's favorite small toys, as well as your iPad or smartphone to keep them entertained and reduce their stress and, most importantly, yours. We know there are videos for babies, with colors, shapes, and sounds specially designed to relax and entertain them. Also, consider letting them listen to classical music on their over-ear baby headphones to minimize discomfort. Classical music, not others, as other genres do not relax them like classical music does. Believe me.
Your goal on the trip is to keep them comfortable, safe, and relaxed, so that you can be comfortable, safe, and relaxed as well. Therefore, try to shield them from the annoying sounds of the airplane with their special baby over-ear headphones, which allow them to hear something other than the noise of the flight. If it's annoying for an adult, imagine for your baby.
Blocked Ears
An adult may suffer from this situation on a flight and complain. A baby will simply cry from discomfort. However, there are some tips to prevent or minimize this annoyance. Generally, this is due to changes in cabin pressure, almost always during takeoff and landing:
- Feeding or giving a pacifier to the baby during takeoff and landing: Breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or even giving a pacifier during takeoff and landing, or when necessary, can help as the act of sucking and swallowing helps equalize the pressure in the baby's ears.
- Massages and gentle movements: Gently massaging the area around the ears and cheeks of the baby can help open the Eustachian tubes and relieve pressure. Always consult your pediatrician first.
- Medication: In some cases, if this problem is foreseeable, a pediatrician might recommend the use of a children's pain reliever half an hour before takeoff or landing. You should only do this under your doctor's advice.
Patience and Love
I know not all babies are the same; some are calmer than others. In my case, my daughter was very temperamental as a baby, truly crying about everything, both what she had and what she didn't. Visits to the pediatrician only to find out the girl just wanted to cry. Fortunately, as she grew up, she completely stopped and became a calm, gentle, and beautiful person. What I'm trying to say is, be patient with your baby during the trip, and don't mind if they cry or not, as long as you're attending to them. You're doing everything possible to make sure they have a good time and that their journey isn't too uncomfortable, but there are times when many babies will just want to cry, and there's no way to stop them until they fall asleep. If this happens to you on a flight, on a train, or wherever, be patient and loving. You're not going to see the other people again in your life, but you'll see your baby, as a baby, as a child, and as an adult, for the rest of your life. Don't get mad at your baby and don't despair with them. If you are with your baby, giving them attention, you have nothing to be embarrassed about with other people. In the end, and in a few years, when you remember these moments, you will laugh and you'll be able to talk about it with your now child.
In conclusion, traveling with a baby can be a big challenge for many, especially because they think that other people will judge them for the noise or smells that may come from the baby. **** them all, it's your baby, it's your child, and you will do everything in your power to avoid any discomfort for them, and that's all you can do during a flight, to minimize their discomfort. Their comfort and well-being is the only thing that should matter to you, not if someone gets upset because a baby (a baby, for God's sake!) is crying.
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