Travel with Babies

Travelling with a baby comes with a whole list of exciting firsts, but it can also be challenging. A little preparation, and a lot of patience, will help to ensure that your trip goes smoothly for everyone.

THE DAY OF TRAVEL

Arrive early so that you have lots of time to get through all of the stages of the airport without stress.  When you arrive at your gate, visit the desk to notify that flight crew that you’re there with a baby. If you are invited to board early, take advantage of a few extra moments to get settled before others start to board the plane.

 Throughout the day of travel, try to roll with it when it comes to baby’s sleep. Between the trip to the airport, the wait times, the flight and the travel to your destination on the other side of the ocean, it will be a long day/night of travel. Sleep will undoubtedly be broken along the way. Allow him to sleep when he's ready by keeping an eye on his wake windows, but don't stress too much if he sleeps early (i.e. in the car) or is awake a little too long (i.e. he can't fall asleep until after takeoff because of all the commotion of people and luggage and noise). Anything goes on a travel day, and baby is allowed to sleep in the stroller, the carrier, the car, your arms, wherever. 

It can help to bring some of your comfort items on the plane with you:

• A familiar car seat – check with your airline to see if your car seat may be used on the plane. It can be bulky to travel with, but can make the ride more comfortable for baby. The additional benefit is that it is available for use in a car when you arrive at your destination.
• A baby carrier – This allows you to wear baby while seated, or while walking the aisle once the seatbelt light is turned off.
• Baby’s food – Airlines generally allow breastmilk, formula, water, baby food and ice packs in your carry-on. Check with your airline ahead of time for any guidelines or restrictions.
• A nursing cover or blanket – this allows you privacy, if you need it, for nursing in close quarters, but also to shield baby from the lights and movement of others while sleeping.
• Snacks as food and fun – If your baby is old enough for snacks, they not only to keep him fed, but also to keep him busy. I suggest baby rice crackers or small puffs as they are a great, (relatively) tidy way to occupy for a short time.
• A full diaper bag – pack lots of extras for all those diaper changes that you’ll be doing during the flight. Include a change of clothes for the baby, and for you… just in case.
• Water is essential – Especially if you’re a nursing mother. I am always thirsty on airplanes, and the little cups of water served during the flight just never seem to be enough. Remember that you have to buy bottled water in the airport, after you’ve gone through airport security, and before you board your flight.

TIME FOR TAKEOFF 

The change in pressure during takeoff and landing can be hard for babies. As adults, we know to swallow to allow our ears to regulate, but babies don’t yet understand this. Therefore, for breast and bottle-fed babies, try to feed baby when you start to feel pressure in your ears. Feeding will cause him to swallow, to relieve the building pressure in his ears, and thus feel more comfortable. Some babies don't even notice, but others cry and cry, so if you can prevent any discomfort by feeding a few moments after the plane takes off, it can help a great deal.  

For older babies and toddlers, it can be helpful to have snacks and drinks ready for this time of the flight.

SLEEP ENVIRONMENT UPON ARRIVAL

Whether you are staying with family, in a hotel or Air B&B, call ahead to ask for their help in creating the ideal, dark, quiet sleep environment that baby is accustomed to at home. Bring along all his familiar sleep items – sleep sack, white noise, bedtime story. You may even consider bringing along your own dark blinds, or a travel slumber pod to ensure a dark sleep space once you arrive.

Once you are arrive, set up baby’s sleep space, and spend some time in there before bedtime.  Try to keep things as consistent as possible, and do everything exactly the same at bedtime so he can see that nothing has changed – if he sleeps well at home, he should be able to sleep just as well, even in a new location.  

ADJUSTING TO THE NEW TIME ZONE

One of the most common concerns is how to handle jet lag, and how to help baby adjust to the new time zone. Attention to baby’s schedule, and his exposure to light and dark can help baby to adjust to the time change, in just a few days.

In general, you want to try to adjust to the new time zone as quickly as you can, while understanding that it does take some time.

Travelling East – If 7pm local time at home is 12 midnight at your destination, baby may need a later bedtime for a few days, and a later than usual nap to help him get there. Work to gradually move bedtime earlier until you arrive at a 7pm bedtime at your destination.

Travelling West – If baby is ready for sleep at 4pm at your destination (7pm local time at home), allow him to take a nap instead, to allow him to get to a 7-8pm local bedtime. 

Over the first few days, try to move the start of the day closer to 7am local time. Expose baby to natural daylight as soon as he wakes in the morning. This is an important part of helping his circadian rhythm to adjust the new time zone. He can return to the darkness of his bedroom for naps, but during his wakeful hours, keep it bright. Whenever possible, allow time outdoors with fresh air and sunlight.

If baby wakes extra early, try to pause before getting up for the day. When you go to him, try a feed to see if he'll go back to sleep. If he does not go back to sleep, spend some quiet time in your dark room to try to prolong the time before starting the day.

Remember that after a long day of travel, and random naps on the go, baby may be ready for nighttime sleep very soon after you arrive (even if it is not his regular sleepy time).  On the first few nights, baby might not get a full 11-12 hours of night time sleep while you are making this adjustment. Watch his sleepy cues, and allow naps along the way to ensure he doesn’t get overtired.

ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY!

Travel will be exhausting and very stimulating. Add to this a new environment and a different time zone, and baby may be very out of sorts. He may need a lot of extra support throughout the first few days or nights, and this is OK. When you have put so much effort into creating healthy sleep habits for your baby, you may hope to stick to your regular schedule and routine while on holiday. This is natural, and of course I support this! However, especially when you are visiting family or friends who want to spend time with you and your baby, know that it is OK to if things go off the rails a little during the trip. You can return to your familiar habits once you get back into your own home.