We think the time has come to venture out and book our first trip with our baby. Maybe we're not so sure about this, but we're sure it will be an experience to remember later - our first trip with our little one.
However, when we start thinking about taking this step, there are doubts: what we should take with us, we're afraid we won't have everything or we start thinking about the thousand and one unexpected things that could happen. But the biggest doubt of all is how our baby will react to this new experience. It will be an adventure for him and for us too.
Today, we're taking the time to understand what possible advice there might be, some tricks and how we can prevent any situation that might come up. Regardless of all these tips, we believe it's going to be a great experience, full of good times and that your baby will have a lot of fun with his parents.
Well, when we think about a journey, in addition to the destination already defined, we have to consider the distance, the hours it will take and how we will get there. In this way, we can consider that we can travel by road in a car, by air in an aeroplane or by rail in a train. Then we can start to think about which type of transport will be most suitable, which we will be most comfortable with and which will be the easiest to carry out certain tasks that may need to be done - changing nappies, for example.
Something we've decided is that we want to start visiting new places, because we think travelling is a great way to get to know the world and have contact with it. So we want to start with small trips - somewhere close to home or a weekend with friends somewhere a little further into the country. Later on, a longer trip outside the country will be the future. However, travelling with a baby can be an aggressive experience, in the sense that you'll have a different reality to the one you'd imagined - different reactions or you'll be faced with situations that you won't know how to handle.
With these aspects to consider, we want the experience to be the best, so we've looked up some recommendations to make it a trouble-free few days.
First of all, we need to think about the most suitable type of transport and understand its advantages and disadvantages. Travelling by car gives you total freedom all the time, as you can take breaks as needed. However, if it's a long journey, it can cause some tiredness and irritability on the part of the parents, and the baby can naturally become tired and impatient.
We can see that travelling by train can be an opportunity for parents to rest. However, it can be a context in which the baby is not used to. Therefore, there are situations that parents will have to create to prevent the baby from crying, such as taking a short walk on the train so as not to disturb the other passengers.
If we consider a plane trip, we can save time. However, the several hours of waiting at airports and the conditions of some flights may not be ideal for our little ones. It's a more complicated context when we want to resolve a situation, such as changing a nappy.
Weather conditions are also a component to consider, so it's best to avoid travelling by car during a hot period or even in adverse winter conditions.
When we think about the number of kilometres we have to travel to our final destination, it can influence our choice of transport. For example, if you're travelling between 300km and 500km, the best option would be to travel by train - it can be less tiring for both the parents and the baby.
Now that we know about the three different possibilities for transport and the different aspects we need to take into consideration, we want to know if there are any tips that can help parents and their baby have a great travelling experience.
One main tip is that travelling with a baby requires preparation, regardless of the type of transport the parents choose. You need to think in advance about the context in which you'll be travelling and everything you'll need to take with you. To this end, we've put together a few tips that may be useful.
If you choose to travel by car - one of the tips we've highlighted is that a drive at night or right after a meal is ideal, as the baby will fall asleep peacefully; you should avoid travelling during the hottest hours; you need sun protection for the windows and good air conditioning in the car.
If we choose to travel by train - it can be a peaceful option, as long as the baby accepts it well and feels at ease in the environment in which they will be travelling; it's best to take a good collection of toys so that the baby can always be entertained; we'll have to be vigilant because we may have to take long walks on the train as a way of calming our little one; we mustn't forget to dress our baby in comfortable and practical clothes for certain activities, such as changing nappies - a babygrow or bodysuit can be a great option.
If you choose to travel by plane - your baby can only travel by plane from the age of three weeks (but this is something you should check with your paediatrician to be sure); if you have ear, nose or throat problems, it's advisable to avoid travelling by plane; make sure you let them know you're travelling with a baby, so they can be given a more spacious seat; at take-off, it is advisable to put a soother or bottle in the baby's mouth to stimulate pressure equalisation in the baby's ears; we should make sure that the baby drinks enough fluids throughout the flight; don't forget that vaccinations should be updated, especially if the destination is in a tropical region.
After reviewing and sharing some tips for travelling with your baby, we wanted to add another part to this publication, which is related to some essential items for travelling. After all, it's an experience that we want to go well and, to do that, we have to make sure that, before we leave, we don't leave anything behind. So we've collected the most important items not to be forgotten:
- Nappies must never be missing;
- A small first aid kit with all the essentials - we can ask the pharmacist for advice - for any eventuality;
- A collection of baby music CDs to keep you entertained in the car;
- Don't forget tools for meals (e.g. a spoon) and transporting food in travel format - small jars that are easy to open and/or to warm up are the best option;
- A large bottle of water and a bottle for drinking and giving baby a drink on a regular basis;
- Wipes are a must - they come in handy in the event of an accident or even for changing nappies on the go;
- Change of clothes - practical clothes (e.g. babygrows, bodysuits, trousers, sweater) and comfortable outfits (e.g. dresses, polo, shirts, shorts);
- An extra jacket will always fit in your suitcase to avoid catching a cold because of the temperature differences;
- Last but not least, a good mood and the belief that this new experience will go well.
At the end of this post, you start to think that it's a lot of work preparing for a trip with your baby, especially if it's the first time you've decided to go on this adventure. From choosing the destination, then the type of transport, then realising what we can do and take on the transport we've selected and also making sure we've taken everything essential for the days we'll be away from home. On top of all this, we can add the enthusiasm, anxiety and nervousness on the part of the parents, as it will be their first experience. It´s natural to feel this way, but stay calm.
Today we're thinking of you and we've put together all this information and tips to help you through the whole process. It's going to be a great experience, your baby will love it and you'll have the best memories of your first family holiday. We're sure it'll be an adventure to remember!
What about you? How was your first experience travelling with your baby? Did you have any setbacks? Did everything go well and did your baby love the trip? We want to know your opinion.
