Travelling with a newborn isn’t always easy and if you’ve never done it before, you probably have a few different concerns.
There will be lots of different guidance and advice out there on this matter, but it’s always good to just bring everything back to the basics.
Here are some of our best tips and tricks on how to travel with a newborn and what you need to remember.
None are complicated and none are overly expensive.
It’s all about remembering the simple things that make your life that little bit easier.
Breastfeed If Possible
Don’t worry if you can’t breastfeed for a medical or personal reason, that is ok and that is up to you. This tip is just here to remind you that if you are breastfeeding or you can do so, that it really helps you out when you are travelling with your newborn baby.
The main reason is that it saves you lugging about lots of feeding, bottling or pumping apparatus.
If you breastfeed you don’t need to get the airline to help you with storing and heating up milk or formula.
If you can do it, definitely do when you are travelling. It will save you a lot of extra packing and extra fuss.
Pack Minimally
Pack as little as possible for a newborn baby. You don’t need to be carrying loads of heavy bags on your travels just to bring things you will probably never use.
Keep your packing down to the absolutely essential things for you baby will need, and leave it at that.
Don’t fall for fancy gadgets that promise to make travelling with a baby much easier. Stick with what you know and bring only what you need.
Call The Airline in Advance
Calling your airline in advance is a great idea when you are travelling with a newborn.
Call and check what they have to offer you during your flight. Do they have a bassinet, will they let you board first? All these kinds of things are good to know in advance and they will help you know what to prepare before you go.
Preparation is always key when it comes to taking a newborn baby anywhere.
Read Up On Country Diseases
Newborn babies are too young to receive vaccines for a lot of different diseases. This means they can’t be protected in the same way you can when you travel to different countries. Newborn babies rely only on their natural immune system and the immunity they get from their mother’s breast milk.
Try and avoid travelling to places where malaria or yellow fever is prevelant.
The best way to figure all of this out is to do your research in advance. You can talk to your local doctor if you are particularly worried about anything.
Remember Your Baby Needs a Passport
This is something very easy to forget.
You need to get your baby their own passport before you travel out of the country with them.
Luckily, there are some loopholes when it comes to getting their photo taken, their eyes don’t have to be open and their mouth doesn’t need to be closed. However, you probably still have somewhat of a tricky and funny photoshoot ahead of you.
Make sure you get all of this sorted out well in advance so that there is no issue with bringing your baby on your travels.