Top 5 Tips for Traveling with an Infant
When it comes to tips for traveling with an infant, the main thing to keep in mind is to be prepared for anything.
Why? For starters, infants are notoriously unpredictable. In other words, they need almost constant attention. This can be a stressful exercise for exhausted parents.
The good news is that infants aren’t as fragile as some parents think. Plus, traveling with an infant is quite a bit easier than traveling with a 2-year old. As long as you take the time to plan the trip, you should be just fine.
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Not sure where to start? These 5 tips should help you out.
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Schedule a Trip Around Nap Time
If your baby has a regular sleep schedule, consider planning your trip around it. With some luck, your child will fall asleep as soon as you board a plane or get into a car. Overnight trips can be a perfect solution.
That said, your baby may need some more convincing. Bringing their favorite comfort item should help them doze off more easily. If you’re traveling by plane, go for the seats in the designated family section.
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Be Ready for Ear Pain
Many of us have experienced ear pain while flying. The reason is simple: when the air pressure is too high, our eustachian tubes aren’t able to adjust to it anymore.
As infants have particularly narrow eustachian tubes, they stand a higher chance of experiencing ear pain. If that happens, don’t panic. Breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, and a pacifier can all calm a crying baby down.
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Gate Check Your Stroller
As you may know, strollers are not considered carry-on baggage. However, you can always ask the gate agent to give you a gate check ticket. That way, your stroller will be waiting for you as soon as you exit the plane.
If your infant has an older sibling, consider purchasing a stroller board. Boarding a flight can be a hectic experience, and this attachment will help you keep track of your kids.
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Bring Extra Clothing
When infants are cold, they will invariably start crying. To avoid that, dress them in layers. If your baby gets too hot, you can always take some of those layers off.
Additionally, it pays to be ready for any accidents. You should always have an extra outfit or diapers nearby and make them easily accessible. Packing another pair of clothes for yourself is also a good idea.
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Keep Them Entertained
If your baby wakes up during a flight, give him or her some toys. A new teether or rattle can keep an infant occupied for a while. Of course, be mindful of other passengers and don’t bring anything that makes too much noise.
Additionally, you should sit next to your baby at all times. To infants, mom and dad are the ultimate comfort zone.
More Tips for Traveling with an Infant
Whether you travel by plane, car, or train, it all comes down to preparations. Once you’ve planned out your trip, traveling with a baby becomes a downright joyful experience. At that point, all that’s left is to enjoy the ride.
Are you looking for additional tips for traveling with an infant? You may want to take a look at our parenting blog!
