Attention new mommies! Creative writer Sukanya Sen, mother to a year old boy, shares tips on planning the first trip with your baby. And no, this is not a ‘what to carry guide’, which you find plenty online. In fact, she addresses everything you should consider while planning holiday travel with your little one – right from where to go and how to plan; to what to do, and what not. Take a few tips from her before traveling with an infant!
Why Should You Plan Your First Trip With Your Little One
Image Courtesy: Bonnie Patowary and Premjit Adhikary
People say babies bring miracles to life, they do wonders and change your life completely. I second all these. Moreover, I emphasize the fact that life changes 360 degrees after having a baby. Motherhood is all about sleepless nights, smelly diapers, formula feed, and tiny little hands and feet. It is also about prolonged postpartum depression for new mommies. They often look for vacations or holiday getaways, which act as effective antibiotics to break the dark side of staying back at home.
With a new little family member, traveling or planning holidays becomes a little different and tricky, and especially the first trip, when your baby is not even a year old. It is not easy or simple like earlier vacations, where choosing the destination was based on geographical locational preferences, budget, and sight-seeing options. Now there are many points that need to be taken into consideration before finalizing the complete plan for traveling with an infant.
Must Read: 5 Relaxing Picnic Spots Near Coimbatore Where You Must Go With Your Family
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Tips For Traveling With An Infant
Image Courtesy: Akanksha and Vaibhav Saxena
Here are a few points you should keep in mind before you plan your first holiday with your little one. Keep scrolling down and read along to know more about it!
1. Minimum Travel Time & Ease and Comfort of Travel
Road trip or train journeys leading to the decided destination should be hassle-free and easy. For example, hilly and undulating roads leading to remote hill stations, winding pathways, or jungle resorts are not advisable while traveling with babies. Even if you are driving, just keep in mind that the baby is too young to travel through the winding, steep, and difficult roadways. Prolonged travel makes them cranky and uneasy; so choose a destination that can be easily approached in minimum time.
2. Big No To Stop Overs
Stopovers are not only time consuming but also a matter of botheration and stress, especially with an infant. With loads of luggage, stopovers at airports or change of trains might cause uneasiness for the baby. Reasons for this could be hampered feeding cycle or disturbed sleep. There is no point in creating discomfort to the little traveler, instead, choose a destination that can be reached directly from hometown.
3. Check Weather Forecast
You should pick a place for a holiday that is neither too hot nor too chilly; neither too dry nor too humid. Extreme weather conditions cause uneasiness to the baby – the little one may feel cold or sweaty. And any which case, you have killed the fun of traveling with an infant.
4. Go For An All-Inclusive Package
With an infant, never mind paying little extra to get an all-inclusive package that covers accommodation and other facilities. While zeroing down on the hotel options, check for services needed for infants – meals, doctors on call, and cab facilities. Your chosen destination should have nice hotel options. Homestays, youth hostels, and lodges just don’t work with infants.
5. Go For A Light Itinerary
Hectic travel plans and chaotic tour schedules are not conducive for infants. If it’s a 5 days’ trip, going out every morning for a hectic sight-seeing program is not a favorable option with babies. They are too young and delicate to take that travel stress. If it’s a seaside vacation, try and spend days on the beach enjoying beach-food and building sandcastles. Let them enjoy and be on their own. In short, plan your trip with light sight-seeing plans and maximum relaxation.
Planning your holiday but confused about where to go? These travel stories help you find your best trip ever!
6. Check Accommodation Options
Another pointer for first-time parents. While fixing the travel plan, double-check whether all the accommodations allow infants or not. While for most Indian destinations it may seem obvious, be sure when traveling to party hot spots like Goa. Even for traveling within the city, there are several museums, amusement parks, churches, and other spots that have a minimum age for entry. Better to be well aware rather than getting disappointed on spot.
7. This Is Not The Time For Adventures
This is for adventure freak couples! Now you have been promoted to being parents. So let’s put a break to the adventure trips like paragliding, skiing, snowboarding, and snorkeling for a while till the little one attains the permissible age. Right now it’s time for a relaxed and peaceful trip by the seaside or by the mall road of a renowned hill station.
Further Read: 12 Affordable Things To Do In Goa With Kids For Your Family Adventure
Glance through all the necessary pointers and keep in mind each of them while choosing the travel destination. After all, it is your first trip as a mom too! You have all the reasons to rejoice and relax. So, plan your family trip right away and get ready for a memorable experience!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling With An Infant
What documents do I need when traveling with an infant?
While traveling with your little one, you must carry documents like the passport of the child, immunization form, birth certificate, and medical records.
Can babies travel before vaccinations?
No, babies should not travel before vaccinations according to the National Health Services.
Can newborn babies travel abroad?
Yes, newborn babies can travel abroad but you will have to take precautions,
Can I travel with my baby during COVID-19?
Yes, you can travel with a baby during COVID-19. Here are a few precautions that you should take while traveling:
1. Talk to a pediatrician before planning a trip
2. Keep sanitizer handy and wear gloves.
3. Carry a blanket by which you can cover the face of your baby at all times
4. Request the airlines to provide you a seat which is far away from other passengers
5. Plan and pack your baby food supplies beforehand and try sanitizing your hands before and after.
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A book lover and fun-loving, overtly emotional mom with a wanderlust soul, Sukanya has completed her Master Degree in Geography and currently perusing her passion for writing as a profession. Nothing detoxes her more than trying new recipes and travelling to offbeat places is ultimate Therapy for her.
