Travel with young children
Young children are fairly easy to travel with - but planning is essential. Why not have all your baby essentials - food, nappies, toiletries etc delivered to your hotel, villa or apartment? Start by selecting your holiday destination
We have gathered some travel tips to share with you which we hope you will find helpful:
For the Journey
Bottle Feeding
Parents' Good Water Guide
Breastfeeding
Protecting Children from the Sun
We also have the following really useful information from Fawzia Rasheed de Francisco, author of The Rough Guide to Travel with Babies and Young Children:
How can I find out if my chosen resort is baby friendly?
What would I need to pack in my hand luggage for my baby when travelling?
Am I allowed to take my baby milk onto the plane?
Does my baby need a passport?
Why not have a go at our competition to win one of five copies of The Rough Guide to Travel with Babies and Young Children? (Closing date 31 July 2008)
For the journey
If your baby is small enough it might be a good idea to use a sling - it keeps your hands free for everything else.
In your hand luggage:
- Nappies
- Nappy bags
- Disposable changing mat
- Baby wipes
- Cotton wool balls
- Nappy cream
- Bottles and formula (if you use it)
- Water or juice if bottlefeeding
- Jars of baby food and spoons (if you are weaning)
- Change of clothing (number of changes depends on the length of the journey)
- Plastic bag for dirty clothes
- A couple of bibs
- Sunblock (although babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sun)
- Any medication your baby needs
- Rattle or toy for entertainment
In your suitcase:
- Clothing
- Sunhat with brim (if you're going somewhere sunny)
- Sunglasses - make sure they are UV protected - toy sunglasses can damage your baby's eyes
- Mosquito net which fits over a cot or chair (if you are going to a place where mosquitoes are a problem - check with your GP)
- Sunshade for the pushchair
In the boot or in the hold:
- Travel cot - collapsible cots can also double as a playpen. Always make sure it's correctly assembled
- Lightweight stroller or buggy (and blanket if you'll need one)
Going abroad?
- Check with your GP that immunisations are up to date and that no extra are needed
- Organise your baby's passport in good time - babies can no longer travel on their parents' passports. Get an application form from the Post Office
- If you're hiring a car, take a car seat with you or find out whether the car hire firm will supply one
Bottle feeding
You cannot safely take a happy-go-lucky approach to preparing bottles, especially while your baby is very young. However relaxed you chose to be about other aspects of home-hygiene, punctilious, perfectionist attention to washing and sterilizing bottles really matters.
There are bacteria everywhere. We all carry them on our hands and our clothes. Most of them are harmless. Very few types will make us ill unless we take in such a large number all at once that our body's defences are overwhelmed. But a new baby, especially one who is not breast-fed, does not have strong defences against common germs. It takes time for your baby to build up immunity to them.
To keep your baby's milk as free from bacteria as possible whilst travelling: -
- Check expiry date on baby milk containers.
- Keep packets of powder closed and stored in a cool place, opened cartons of liquid closely covered and refrigerated.
- Wash your hands before handling the milk or equipment, especially after using the toilet.
- Wash in hot water and detergent and then sterilize everything you use.
Steribottles are so useful and can be used for breast milk too.
Parents' Good Water Guide
For young babies/toddlers drinking enough fluid is essential to health and well being. A high proportion of their body weight is water - so it's vital to keep youngsters properly hydrated.
For babies that are not breast-feeding water plays an important role in the diet, for use in formula feeds and later on as a drink or for the dilution of fruit juices. The age of the baby or child dictates the amount of fluid necessary for good health. The UK Government has just caught up with the rest of Europe in recommending bottled water as well as tap water for the make-up of infant feeds. It's therefore important that parents know all they need to about the different waters available so that they can make an informed choice.
Purifying Water
Boiling is the most effective method of purifying water. All water (tap and bottled) should first be boiled and immediately cooled before being given to infants aged 6 months and under. If preparing baby bottles start boiling long enough in advance for the water to cool before baby is screaming for milk.
Boil it for 10 minutes, this is sufficient to kill everything, and chill it in hygienic, cool surroundings - preferably a refrigerator - before using to make up formula feeds. Bottle fed babies may need sips of cooled, boiled water as formula is not so thirst quenching.
Other methods of purifying water, such as chemical sterilisation using iodine or chlorine, are not suitable for pregnant women or children under 12.
For the make up of formula feed for infants, choose any water that is low in minerals - those that are suitable will be labelled as such, soon.
You are safe to pick one of the following Natural Mineral Water Brands (picking still waters only for children under two) to serve to babies and young children.
Abbey Well, Aqua-Pura, Ashbrook, Ashe Park, Brecon Carreg, Buxton, Evian, Highland Spring, Perthshire Mountain Spring, Spa, Stretton Hills, Vittel and Volvic.
Why not have ready made up formula milk cartons and all your baby's essentials delivered to your holiday destination.
Breastfeeding
Your milk (not just anybody's breast milk) is the only milk that will be uniquely right for your baby. It will adjust itself to your baby's age and stage so its exact composition at the beginning will depend whether they were born pre-term or full-term. It will keep adjusting itself to conditions, too, so if the weather is hot and your baby needs extra water, your breasts will provide it. As long as your baby is exclusively breast-fed, they are far less likely to suffer from infections - particularly gastro-enteritis, but including colds and middle-ear infections.
As well as the many other advantages of breastfeeding it improves the travelling experience for both baby and parents.
Breast-feeding that is going smoothly saves time and trouble: nothing to buy and store and run out of; nothing to mix or sterilize; nothing to keep cool or re-warm; nothing to fetch in the middle of the night and nothing to wash up. Unless you prefer to keep it very private, breastfeeding makes it easier to take the baby out and about with you. Nothing but nappies to carry on a trip or run out of when the car breaks down; and nothing your baby needs from anyone but you.
There is nothing as convenient as being able to nurse a crying/tired/upset/hungry baby anywhere you go anytime. When flying, nursing a baby during take-off and landing with the baby's head supported upright will help them deal with the changes in air pressure.
All the usual advice to nursing mothers applies when you are travelling including drinking lots of fluids and making sure you eat properly, incidentally, you shouldn't have to worry about what interestingly flavoured foreign food you eat, as long as your choices are made wisely.
Relaxation and Flexibility
Being relaxed about your baby's feed times is particularly important because trying to keep to a schedule is certainly something to avoid, even if the schedule is one which your baby seems to have settled on for themself a week or so before you leave to go travelling.
You have to keep in mind that travelling is simply different with children; you are not on your own schedule anymore. Your baby's needs come first and you have to be willing to change plans - it's as simple as that! Nurse your baby as often as they are hungry and nurse your baby for as long as they like.
Don't try to rush around and see everything in a mad dash hurry. Go easy on yourself, slow down and you will be less tired and more relaxed. Try leaving a few hours free in the afternoon whilst travelling so that a nursing mum can lie down with the baby and rest.
Breastfeeding in Hot Weather
Unless your baby is ill and you are instructed to do so by a doctor, don't offer extra drinks of water when your baby has breast milk available, even if the weather is very hot. Breast milk meets the demands of thirst as well as hunger, adjusting its composition to do so if necessary. Your baby does not need anything else and even plain water from a bottle may cut down the time spent nursing and possibly confuse your baby into expecting latex teats instead of your nipples.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Breast feeding is best for babies. Infant milks are intended to replace breast milk when mothers do not breast feed. Good maternal nutrition is important for the preparation and maintenance of breast feeding. Introducing partial bottle feeding may have a negative effect on breast feeding and reversing a decision not to breast feed is difficult. Professional advice should be followed on infant feeding. Infant milk should always be prepared and used as directed. Unnecessary or improper use of infant milk may present a health hazard. Social and financial implications should be considered when selecting a method of infant feeding.
Protecting children from the sun
Why is it important to protect children from the sun?
- Too much sun is particularly harmful to very young children, who should be kept out of direct sunlight.
- Protecting children from the sun not only prevents painful sunburn, it also significantly reduces the risk of developing skin cancer later in life
- 50 per cent of total lifetime sunlight exposure occurs in childhood.
- Breezes or water can cool the skin of children playing in the sun so that excessive exposure to sunlight is not noticed.
How to protect children in the sun
Remember that infants must be kept out of the sun entirely, while children with light skin will burn easily.
- If the child is not exposed to direct sunlight, sunscreen is not usually necessary.
- Children should be encouraged to play in the shade wearing good protective clothing.
- Sunscreen use does not allow an increase in the time spent in sunlight.
- Make sure you use enough sunscreen; half a handful (approximately 20ml) is usually enough for the child's entire body. Apply 20 minutes before exposure to the sun if possible.
- Remember that some sunscreens come off through contact with water, sweating or rubbing with a towel.
- Re-apply sunscreen several times during a day in the sun.
Five things to remember
- Small children should always be kept in the shade.
- Avoid the sun between 10am and 2pm.
- Stay in the shade as much as possible.
- Good protection is provided by light clothes, a hat and good quality sunglasses.
- Use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 - check expiry date before use.
What to do if a child gets sunburn
- Always consult a doctor if a small child or baby has been sunburnt.
- Consult a doctor if blisters or a rash appear.
- Consult a doctor if the skin is very red and painful. Consider calamine lotion to cool sunburn.
- A pharmacist will be able to provide advice about aftersun products.
The following tips are from Fawzia Rasheed de Francisco, author of The Rough Guide to Travel with Babies and Young Children.
We are currently running a competition to win one of five copies of The Rough Guide to Travel with Babies and Young Children. Click here to have a go! (Closing date 31 July 2008)
How can I find out if my chosen resort is baby friendly?
Whenever I see the term "baby-friendly", I feel like adding "parent-friendly". After all, babies are pretty simple to please - the real challenge is making life easier for you. Given that parents aren't always good at factoring in their own needs, here's an answer that covers a bit of both.
In the first place, you'll want a room and en-suite bathroom, with daily cleaning services, and fresh supplies of linen and towels on tap. And while most rooms come with a kettle and a fridge, do check, as these will be useful. If you're breastfeeding, you'll want food at odd hours; if you can't order in meals around the clock, just make sure you can get all you need elsewhere and easily. Many places offer cots, but it's safest to bring your own rather than be lumbered with one that sags or is too deep to use in the middle of the night - besides, your own carry-cot will come in handy when out and about, as well as for the trip itself.
The décor offers clues. Rather than crystal and priceless art collections, opt for less formal trappings. And even if you don't have older children, children's menus and services are a good indication that you're not heading for a sniffy adults-only setting. Also check the layout of the premises. If you're banking on using a pram, you'll want to avoid stairs and long distances between your room and other facilities.
Finally, give some thought to things that interest you and make logistics simple - with a baby, it's likely that you won't be up to straying far. Look for restaurants, nice grounds, and spas, sights and things to do within close distance, as well as services for laundry, the internet, shops, banks, and the like.
What would I need to pack in my hand luggage for my baby when travelling?
Calculate your journey time and factor in delays to help you figure out how much to take. The basics include all the bottle and food paraphernalia, bibs and cloths for wet burps, a dummy, and, depending on the length of the trip, possibly some sterilizing equipment (steritabs and a plastic bowl or beaker) as well. You'll also need a supply of nappies, wet-wipes and nappy cream, plastic bags to stash soiled items until you can next dispose of them, and a changing mat - a compact roll of plastic sheeting will do. A toy or some music to sooth and keep your baby entertained is also worth having. Otherwise, and in anticipation of the odd mishap, take extra clothes for your baby and tops for yourself - breastpads too, if you're breastfeeding. Finally, carry some just-in-case teething gel, and a basic medical kit.
Am I allowed to take my baby milk onto the plane?
Yes. So long as the amounts of milk (and baby food) are within what's reasonable for the journey, you should be okay. But always check the latest security information as the specifications for packing, in particular, change frequently. Water is a different matter - it's unlikely that you'll be allowed to carry all you need; so check to avoid having to ditch supplies - bear in mind that you will be able to get more within airports and on board planes. Don't forget that nappy cream also comes with restrictions; so carry a small jar (less than 100ml) and relegate the bumper pack to your checked-in luggage. It's also worth remembering that all paying passengers, including small children, are entitled to hand luggage; so if you're travelling with others, try splitting up supplies between everyone's bags to help you carry more.
Does my baby need a passport?
Yes, it's a requirement for UK citizens these days. Just bear in mind that if the photograph no longer resembles your child, you should get it updated. And if you're travelling as a lone parent, it's safest to carry consent forms to travel from the absent parent - the chances of your being stopped and asked for such papers increase if you don't share your baby's surname or looks. The requirements for this vary, so do check with the consulate of the country you plan to visit.
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