If a holiday travelling with the kids is on the cards, start by prepping early and packing the essentials, and as you go you will no doubt gain holiday travel tips and habits to last a lifetime. By staying flexible, parenting on-the-go will soon become your second nature.
Check out these top tips from Vital Baby for success when travelling with your newborn, infant, or toddler in tow.
- On the Road
Half the stress of travelling is getting there. Road tripping with a baby is easier than travelling with a toddler or older child since babies are not yet mobile, and you won’t have to worry about your infant climbing out of their car seat or throwing items, such as your expensive sunglasses, out the open window. Babies also sleep for longer stretches than older children. However, your child should not use a car seat for more than two hours in one go; for babies of all ages but especially newborns. This is because their heavy head can fall forward, causing difficulties with breathing and even suffocation, according to Dr Harvey Karp, making baby travel seats unsafe for overnight sleeps, whether in or out of the car.
You will want to make regular stops and take roadside breaks. Remember, your child will be out of their normal routine, so expect a few toilet accidents and mishaps. Even if your toddler is toilet trained, you may want to take along a pack of soft disposable diapers with adhesive waist strips and elasticated edges to keep your little one comfortable and dry.
2. Mealtimes on the go
Full tummies make for happy faces but feeding your young family while travelling or sightseeing in a new environment can be challenging, especially if you don’t want to resort to sugary snacks and fast-food fillers to fill the gap. This is where the ease and breeze of Happy Family meals for babies and toddlers come in handy. With only 30% of 1-year-olds eating their required portions of vegetables each day, the Happy Baby organic baby food is full of veggie-goodness packed into handy travel pouches.
3. Hydrate right
Hydration is vital for your child when travelling, no matter their age, but avoid sugary pops and juices, which can make little ones hyper. Try to stick to milk and water while travelling, and for a sweet, healthy treat, pack some cut fruits such as watermelon, orange, and pineapple, which also aid in hydration.
4. Keep them close
The safest place for your baby to be when you are stopping for a break or to fill up with petrol is when you are wearing them! A convertible baby carrier is the perfect accessory. Choose one with extra airflow and a mesh design.
5. Nap on the Go
Travelling to new places and spaces can make your baby overstimulated or hyperactive, making it a chore to settle your child when it is time for a nap. This is when a soother provides the solution you need most. Soothers are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and colours suitable for various stages of your baby’s development. Choose an orthodontic-approved soother specifically designed to minimise pressure on gums and developing teeth and to let your baby’s tongue remain in a natural position.
6. Play away the hours
Travelling with your young family (when you are not the driver) provides surprising amounts of downtime for you and your little one and can be the perfect opportunity to spend some one-on-one sharing and learning time together. For activities in the car, in the plane, on the bus or after snack time, the Infantino Piano & Numbers Learning Toucan (R381.10) introduces little learners to music and numbers. With nine songs, 18 spoken words and phrases, plus 13 fun sound effects, you can switch the Toucan’s head feather to mode two for older toddlers to unlock playful quizzes. Its easy-to-grip handles and sounds and colours help your baby to focus, listen, learn, and hear while giving their little fingers added dexterity.
7. Water Fun for Little Ones
There is nothing more heartwarming to a mother’s ear than the sound of her child’s delight-filled laughter. Water is especially fascinating for little ones, so be sure to take your child’s favourite bath toys along with you on your holiday travels to give them a sense of routine and familiarity at their usual bath time. Choose a set of practical play toys which are versatile and can travel as well as you while away from home.
8. Emergency Savers
Keeping clean and hygienic while on holiday can be a day-to-day challenge. A handy rescue essential to keep at hand and in the car for those moments of mishaps and emergencies are wet wipes specially formulated for use on baby’s hands and face and containing zero fragrance and zero to ensure they are gentle for even the most sensitive skin.
9. A portable first-aid kit
When you need to be your own pharmacy in moments of emergency, a portable first aid kit should be first on your packing and prepping travel list filled with your family and baby first aid favourites and basic medical needs. Ensure your first-aid kit has an assortment of first-aid care for the whole family, including kid-friendly bandages, gauze pads, antiseptic wipes, burn and sting relief creams, antibiotic ointment, hand sanitisers, tweezers and cotton tips, instant ice pack and kid-friendly fun stickers to help take the surprise of pain away from your little one.
10. Protect & Sterilise
Sterilising is essential for protecting your baby from harmful bacteria, and poor cleaning of feeding equipment can lead to tummy upsets and diarrhoea which can end up being your worst nightmare if you are holidaying in the bushveld or without easy access to a medical professional or hospital facilities. To help you protect your child’s health, experts recommend using a steam sterilisation system (for use in the microwave), which is quick and effective, killing 99.9% of harmful germs.
