Traveling with a newborn doesn’t sound like a good idea to many people. But it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t. However, there are many factors to consider, like your baby’s age and health. Usually, traveling before one week old is not recommended, as many doctors will advise you that limiting traveling is necessary, for at least a couple of months. Being cautious is not all about the hassled cabin on the plane or the effects of high altitude.
Most experts advise keeping newborns exposed to a group of people so that they don’t get sick. The airport and the airplane are visited by many people and expose your baby to viral infections and illnesses. However, driving with a baby is better than flying – there are far fewer people, most of the family members or close friends. If you decide to go on a road trip, your baby must be safe.
Driving with a baby
Taking your baby on holiday is okay if you make your drive go smoothly. A baby car seat is an important part to consider before going anywhere with your baby. The car seat must fit correctly, and many shops will ensure that your car seat is fitted correctly when purchasing it. Follow all the safety instructions and ensure that it’s suitable for your child’s height and weight. The car seat straps must be pulled tight, and they should only fit one finger within the belt and the body. Apart from this, it will ensure your baby’s comfortability in the car seat during the road trip.
Be prepared for everything.
If your child suffers from sickness during traveling, you must talk to your GP, a pharmacist, or the pediatrist about recommendations. You can then sit relaxed as you have everything you need for the journey. If your baby likes a particular toy, keep it in the front of the car and be ready to pass it every time they need it. It’s handy to keep a first aid kit too. It could include prescriptions from your doctor, medicine your baby might need, travel sickness pills, and plasters. If it’s sunny, be sure to bring shades for the windows, too. They will protect from lights at night time as well. Get some snacks and drinks for yourself if you get stuck in traffic.
Make the road trip fun.
Most babies and toddlers don’t enjoy sitting in a car for long hours. But they might forget about being all grumpy and crying if you keep them entertained. Attach toys overhead of the car seat to distract your baby. Toddlers might stick to books or a tablet where they can enjoy watching cartoons. Don’t forget about the music! Keep some CDs in the car, and borrow some books from the library, so that your child can read and look at them during the road trip.
Also, having one familiar person in the back to entertain them will make the journey easier and funnier. Singing, playing games, and waving hands around the baby can distract them. Babies often prefer having face-to-face time with their siblings and families rather than spending time alone playing with their toys.
Should your child have snacks in the car?
Having snacks to eat can be just at hand for toddlers on car journeys. However, choking may be a concern. It’s advisable to avoid giving your child snacks for too many reasons. The risk of choking is enormous, and you won’t be able to act quickly and help them. Also, accidents may happen sooner than expected if you’re moving around offering your kid a snack. Instead, you could allow time for snacks before heading off or pulling over if you have to. If you’re bottle-feeding or breastfeeding, always pull over. It’s too risky to have your baby out of the pushchair and feed them, even though you may be in the back seat.
Don’t let your baby sleep for too long.
It’s easier to travel with a sleeping baby, but if it’s a long journey, allow your baby to take plenty of breaks, stretch their legs, and get a break. Still, it’s important to remember to not keep your baby in the car seat for too long. Experts revealed that using car seats as a usual place for babies to sleep is not okay. Don’t use the car seat for longer than 30 minutes for infants younger than four weeks and no longer than 2 hours for babies of all ages. If you travel with a newborn, make sure you take breaks every 30 minutes. Once you are home, move them into their bed, even waking them up.
Safety comes first!
Never leave your baby alone in the car! It’s stressful and distracting to drive with a crying baby. Instead of driving, it’s essential to cool your baby before continuing your journey. Also, don’t smoke in the car while there are teens because it’s dangerous to do so in such enclosed spaces. Also, choose a route that has access to food, gas stations, service areas, and restrooms, including some potential hotels, if the road is too long and you might need to sleep for a while.
Keep provisions at easy reach!
Keep all your supplies nearby – you might feel tempted to put everything in a giant bag, but that’s not advisable, as long as you dig through it while the baby screams in your ear. Keep a small kit at easy reach, so you don’t have to unbuckle your seatbelt repeatedly. Take small necessities, and pack them into a small or medium-sized tote bag.
If you’re tired, frustrated, and can’t take another second on this road trip, just pull over. It’s okay to rest and give yourself a few minutes to recharge; allowing yourself and your baby to reset can help make the rest of the road trip smoother.
