Ten tips on travelling with your baby
By: Meg Faure, OTR.
A few years ago, my husband and I embarked on a three-month trip with a two and four year old. We have camped with our little ones from the time they were 9 months old and taken all three of them on flights from as little as 6 weeks old. I am a big fan of routines and an even bigger fan of sleep so how did we do all this travelling, many have asked. Well the key to travelling with ease and making sure that sleep is not too disrupted is to be prepared. Herewith my top 10 tips:
1. Keep one day-sleep in a consistent sleep space, as soon as you arrive in your new place. This will quickly mean that your little one settles back into his day routine.
2. Keep the ‘Awake times’ between 6am and 6pm correct for your little one’s age, regardless of time zone changes.
The Babysense Secret 2011
3. When flying with your baby or toddler, have something to suck on (Under six months of age – breast or formula milk or water and older babies a sippy cup or bottle of dilute juice). Always keep a bottle of clean water on hand.
4. If you are driving, leave extra time for stops. Do not breastfeed while driving; so leave time to stop for feeds and nappy changes and potty stops. A good idea is to leave either at 3am so your little one will fall asleep for the first 3 hours of the trip or leave just before dusk so you do some driving while he is asleep that night.
5. If you are flying overnight, ask for a bulk head seat with a crib and choose the flight for around bedtime (7pm if possible) and as soon as possible settle him to sleep – its harder to settle your little one on a flight if he gets overtired.
6. Pack an entertainment kit – I love those plastic suitcases and pack one object per sense and one cognitive activity. Here is an example of a kit I would pack for a toddler:
TOUCH = Playdough
VISUAL = Book or DVD or IPAD with games
IMAGINARY = Car or dolly
AUDITORY = Music on ipod
TASTE = Biltong or dried mango
COGNITIVE = Simple puzzle
7. Pack two changes of clothes per trip and double the nappies you think you will need – I promise you will need them!
8. Keep bedtime routine the same every night, even if you are going out – your baby will fall asleep in the pram or car on the way out and you will be more likely to have a relaxed dinner.
9. Bear in mind your baby’s sensory personality – Settled babies will be easy on holiday; Sensitive babies will be as difficult as they are at home; Social butterflies and Slow to warm up babies will be better if the routine is kept the same and you don’t go out after dark. Read Your Sensory Baby (The Babysense Secret DK, 2011) for more tips according to the personality.
10. And finally Keep Calm and Carry On – in any trip, there will be moments of chaos and tears but the funny thing is that when you look back you will only remember the good times!