If you’re like many of us Canadians, you’re probably coming up with ways to swap this wintery weather for a sandy beach — stat. And while mapping out your escape route is easy if it’s just you and your pal (or partner), things can be a bit more complicated if you throw a baby into the mix. Yes, travel with a wee one is safe, but babies also require non-stop attention and care, especially when on a plane. So here are some tips that will ensure your travels avec infant go smoothly.
Bring the necessities
Even if you’re travelling within the developed world, it’s important to bring all of those little things that you might use for your child on a daily basis — diaper-rash cream, diapers, saline nose drops, teething rings, soothers, blankets, bibs, infant medicine, etc. You know what lines work for your baby, and which don’t — and you wouldn’t want to use something on your child that could cause him or her to react negatively (especially when you’re away from your family doctor).
Plan for the weather
Because you’re taking off to somewhere warm, you’ll want to bring all sorts of things to protect your babe’s sensitive skin from the sun. Bring hats, sunscreen (only for babies older than six months, and with a minimum protection of SPF 30) and UV-repelling clothing to ensure your child doesn’t get a sunburn. Also, do your best to keep him/her out of the sun between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. (when the sun is at its peak).
Keep your wee one entertained
It’s absolutely true that you can buy a few souvenirs when you’re in tourist-land for your child to play with, but because they’ll be in a new space (which can also be intimidating), you do want to bring some items with you that will remind him/her of home. So stash a few of your babe’s favourite toys, blankets, books and teething rings in a carry-on bag. This way, if your child acts up, you’ll have a few things to soothe his or her anxieties.
Bring your own food
If you aren’t breastfeeding your child at the time of travel, and depending on where in the world you’re actually travelling to, it might be a good idea to bring your own baby food and formula with you. Different countries have different regulations for prepared foods, and feeding your baby something foreign could make her/him sick.
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