Tips for travelling with a baby
Many people are starting to go away for summer holidays, and I thought I’d share my travelling tips with babies. Having done this a lot with my family when we lived overseas, I’m hoping some of my wins and fails can help out you out.
Things always take longer with babies/small children, more kit, more to check in, more passports to check etc etc. Go with plenty of time because if you’re early you can always enjoy a coffee and cake!
Use a sling or carrier through the airport/on the ferry allowing you to be hands free! If you're flying you can take your pram or stroller all the way to the aircraft door if you want or check it in to oversized luggage (free of charge). It can be helpful to have a bag to pop it in. Firstly, for insurance purposes and mainly to protect it from damage.
Ask for help at any stage, most people will be kind and hold things for you, even the baby! I have done this many times at an airport when travelling solo with my daughter. Everyone from airport security to the lady behind me in the security queue. Only once did a young security officer decline, at which point his much older colleague was delighted to take over!
Keep hydrated, it's easy to forget to eat or drink enough when travelling.
Breastfeed as you want. Travelling could be unsettling for them but breastfeeding will be a source of comfort and security, baby will come to the breast for more than milk.
Breastfeeding on a plane for take-off and landing can be really soothing for their ears. You will be given an extra seatbelt so baby is strapped to you, but it’s still possible to breastfeed – promise!
If you have travelled somewhere sunny here are my top tips for ensuring everyone stays safe in the sun.
Try and keep everyone in the shade, using wide brimmed hats for everyone. Consider using an umbrella or a tent. Often these can be rented, save you carrying too much, there will be enough kit already.
Suncream all round! Even on a cloudy day, as the sun can burn through.
Water for the breastfeeding parent, drink to thirst but do keep hydrated.
Milk for baby (under 6 months). You may find they have a combination of longer feeds and quicker feeds, this is them managing a thirst vs hunger.
Babies over 6 months may be having sips of water with food, but when it's hot they may come for more milk too.
If everyone is very sweaty, wearing cotton clothing or popping a muslin between you and baby can help absorb the sweat.
Wear thin loose layers of clothing, during the day and at night.
If you are using a fan, don’t have it directly at baby as they can get too cold, but moving air around the room is helpful
Please Please don’t cover your pram with anything to keep out the sun as it will increase the temperature inside at put your baby at risk. If needs be use a parasol that clips to the buggy.
When you need to breastfeed on the beach and there isn’t a chair, use a rucksack behind you to lean on. The other option is your partner sits behind you, so you are back to back and that way you support one another.
Take the sling to the beach as pulling a pram along sand is HARD. If you do take the pram pulling it backwards along sand is much easier!
Sleeping spaces while away from home
Making sure the sleeping environment is safe for your baby while you are away from home is really important. Babies need a cot with a firm flat surface and a waterproof mattress. The mattress should fit the space well with no gaps. The cot should be free from cot bumpers and cuddly toys. If your accommodation can’t provide that you may think of taking a travel cot with you. If you are visiting family or friends it’s worth asking if they can get things like the travel cot ready for you to save you bringing it with you.
If you co-sleep, the safe sleep guidance for co-sleeping are the same too.
Using a pram while out and about for naps is fine, just as it would be at home but I will repeat this again as it’s so important Please Please don’t cover your pram with anything to keep out the sun as it will increase the temperature inside at put your baby at risk. If needs be use a parasol that clips to the buggy.
The lullaby trust has a great website with all the up to date guidance to keep baby safe while sleeping.
https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/travel-and-weather/baby-sleep-away-from-home/