Travel with your Baby

Traveling With your Baby
After several long trips with my son in the first nine months of his life I have learned a lot about what should and should not be brought along. The process of packing what you use at home and the reality of dragging it all around with you are completely different. From car safety to feeding you don’t want to miss a beat. Read on to find out what you don’t want to forget when traveling with baby.


Birth Certificate

The only form of identification most parents have of their little ones is a birth certificate which you need to travel. If you are traveling outside of the country you should make sure you get your baby a passport as they are required for everyone now days. The airlines make you show the birth certificate to prove that the baby is as old as you say they are and so they can have them on record in case of emergency.

Self Soothing Items

Some babies use binkies or pacifiers and some use blankets. Whichever work best for your baby make sure you pack it for the trip in your carry-on luggage. Grab a handful of binkies and put them in a clean zip lock bag so when one gets dirty on the flight you can just grab another. There are also paci-wipes for sale at most big stores in case they all make it on the floor or you lose some while traveling.

Baby Carrier

A baby carrier or sling work great for traveling with your baby, especially when you are traveling alone. They help when you need both hands for eating your own meal or going to the bathroom. It is also nice to have the carrier along if baby gets fussy and you need to walk the isles so that you have your hands free in case of some turbulence.

Diapers, Wipes & Toiletries

Make sure to pack enough diapers, wipes and toiletries (diaper cream, baby wash, baby lotion, gas drops, Infant Tylenol) for the day of travel and a couple of days after you arrive. This way you have time to find your brand of diapers, wipes and products at the stores where you are visiting.

However, if you are traveling out of the country then you might want to stock up in your suitcase so you don’t have to worry about finding what you use in the stores.


Food & Drink

Whether your baby is drinking formula or breast milk you will want to pack accordingly. For formula feeding pack three or four complete bottles, a bottle brush, formula and buy bottled water once you pass security for the plane ride. Pack enough formula to last the whole trip so you don’t have to worry about finding more.

For breastfeeding mothers you will want to pack your nursing cover, nursing pads and a bottle to put some baby juice or water in for takeoff and landing so their ears pop when pressure builds up. Also the bottle of juice and water is great to help keep baby hydrated in between feedings.

If your baby is also eating purees and baby snacks make sure you pack plenty for the trip. Bring enough jars, bibs and spoons for the day of travel and the first day you arrive in your carry on in case they lose your suitcase. Make sure you put all the baby food in one large zip lock bag so you can pull it out when going through security. Also since you have to pack quite a bit of baby food for the trip the room it takes up in your checked bag will be great for bringing home souvenirs and gifts.




Car Seat

The wonderful thing about airplane travel these days is that most airlines check your car seat for free if you have your baby on your lap. Since there is a fee on each checked item it can save you about twenty-five dollars each way. However, if you bought a ticket for your baby then you have to take the car seat on board to safely seat them. No matter what you need the car seat on the other end so it must go.



Stroller

As a huge convenience to you the airlines gate check your stroller when you travel. That means you can push your child from plane to plane and not have to worry about carrying them around the airports. Then you leave it at the cabin door when entering the plane for the airlines to put with the luggage for the duration of the flight. When you arrive at your destination it will be waiting for you when you exit.

Portable Sleeper

There are several different items you can bring for your baby to sleep in when they are very young like a co-sleeper or travel bed. However, when your baby starts to move around and cannot sleep unattended it is important to have a pack and play along so they can sleep safely. This item you will have to check under the plane but it is a must have for rolling around and mobile babies so they don’t hurt themselves.

Clothing


Packing clothes according to the weather report where you are traveling is a good start but make sure you pack long sleeved clothes as well when traveling to a warmer climate. While you may be wearing shorts and a tank top your baby may need a long sleeve top in the shade. On the other hand if you are traveling to a cold climate you probably only need cold weather clothing for your baby.

If you know there will be laundry facilities available then you can bring about half as many outfits. This way you don’t have to worry about running out or packing too many outfits. To be safe plan to use about two outfits per day and a pair of pajamas.


Toys


When babies are small they are easily amused by a cup or ball which you can most likely find on the other end of your flight. Do not take too many toys but a few favorite little ones are just fine. Those links are great because you can hook them onto the car seat or stroller and the baby can play with them and a few rattles, mirrors or teething toys linked onto them while you are out sightseeing or visiting.


Safe Travels


While traveling can seem like a huge ordeal it can be lots of fun with baby when you pack right. Hopefully you can use the list of items to help pack for your trip and not feel that you took too much or missed something important. Good luck with your vacation and have safe travels.

Food for your Baby

from new born to 04 moth: only breastfeedin

Age Cereals/Grains Fruits Vegetables Protein Dairy
4-6 Months Rice,
Oatmeal,
Barley Apples,
Avocado,
Bananas,
Pears Green beans,
Squash,
Sweet Potatoes -- --
6 Months same as above same as above, plus
Apricots
Mangos
Peaches
Plums
Prunes same as above, plus
Carrots
Peas
Zucchini -- --
7 - 8 Months same as above, plus
Cheerios,
Puffs,
Bagel,
Rice same as above, plus
Blueberries,
Cherries
Cranberries same as above, plus
Asparagus,
Broccoli,
Cauliflower,
Potatoes,
Onion,
Peppers,
Mushrooms Chicken,
Turkey,
Lamb,
Egg Yolk,
Tofu
9 Months same as above, plus
Crackers,
Pasta,
Wheat Bulgar,
Quinoa same as above, plus
Cantaloupe/Melons
Mashed Grapes
Kiwi same as above same as above, plus
Beans,
Lentils,
Beef,
Pork Plain whole milk yogurt,
Cheese,
Cottage Cheese
10-12 Months same as above same as above, plus
Citrus
Grapes (cut in 1/4s) same as above, plus
Artichokes
Beets
Corn
Spinich same as above, plus
Fish same as above
12 Months + same as above same as above, plus
Strawberries same as above same as above, plus
Nuts,
Peanut Butter,
Shellfish same as above, pus
Whole Milk

Food for your Baby






If your baby is ready to start on solid foods, you might be a bit confused as to which foods are best. There are a wide variety of foods that can be good starter foods. Here are some ideas to help you get going.

Rice, Mixed Grain or Oat Cereal

This is the typical baby cereal that you mix with formula or breast milk. This is a good starter food because it is easily tolerated and you can make it as thin as you like for those first meals. Start with just about a tablespoon of the cereal.

Yellow Vegetables

Mild yellow vegetables like squash, carrots and sweet potatoes are good starters, too. They are easy on the stomach and babies usually love the taste.

Yogurt

Many babies love plain, unsweetened yogurt, and it is a very healthy first food. If your baby doesn’t like it, try yogurt with the fruit on the bottom, but check labels, and buy yogurt with low sugar content. Very often the grocery store brand will be lower in sugar than the national brands.

Mild Fruits

Applesauce, bananas, peaches and pears are all good choices, and babies love them.

These are some of the best foods to offer first. Many pediatricians recommend offering vegetables, cereals and unsweetened yogurt first and adding fruits and sweetened yogurt a bit later. This is based on the theory that saving sweeter foods for later discourages the development of a sweet tooth.

Be certain that you introduce only one new food at a time, and wait a week before introducing something new. This will let you determine if there is any food that your child is allergic to or does not tolerate well. Once you have introduced the foods above successfully, you can add other vegetables, like green beans and peas, and meat. It is usually recommended that you wait until your baby is older to introduce spinach and broccoli.

Beware trying to approach those first few solid meals when your baby is really hungry – he is likely to rebel. Give him just a little breast milk or formula, and he is likely to be much more patient with the process. Don’t expect much those first few feedings. Your baby will wear more than he will eat for some time. But, it will get better – and these first few meals are more about learning the skill than actual nutrition, anyway