BaBy WoRLds

How to travel comfortably with babies and toddlers

2009-11-23T01:43:00.000-08:00

Traveling tips for parents with babies under 12 months old:

Bring a separate set of portable bag that is equipped with diapers, wet wipes, a small rectangular towel and disposable plastic(to keep soiled diapers).
When on flight, try to breastfeed your baby on take-offs and touch-downs, so that the "ear-popping" experience is diminished greatly. They are happily sucking and this reduces the ear-ache that they may experience. Of course if you traveling with your husband, rope him in to help with other minor tasks. If alone try to get the stewardesses to help, in most cases they do so readily.
If your baby doesn't take to breastfeeding, then encourage him to suck on a bottle, pacifier, or sippy cup. If your baby's strapped into a car seat, it's better to have him suck on something from there than to breastfeed, since it's safest for both of you to be properly restrained.
If your baby's sleeping soundly, leave him be and he might get through the takeoff or landing without any trouble. He'll wake up and show his discomfort if he's bothered.
Take it easy. When you are comfortable the baby will settle in nicely too.

Essential items to bring along in a portable bag

	Prescription medications Also bring a copy of the prescriptions and your doctor's phone number, just in case, but bear in mind that some pharmacies accept only local prescriptions. Include a medicine dropper or oral syringe as well.
	Thermometer You'll probably want a digital rectal thermometer for an infant and a digital oral thermometer for an older child.
	Baby acetaminophen or ibuprofen For lowering fever and easing pain
	Liquid soap Get the gel kind that doesn't require water. Useful for cleaning up scrapes as well as messy diaper changes when your child has diarrhea.
	Antibiotic ointment To help heal cuts and scrapes and keep them from becoming infected
	Sterile bandages You may also include sterile gauze pads to clean up scrapes and staunch bleeding.
	Tweezers For removing splinters or ticks
	Sunscreen and lip protection with SPF 15 or higher, with both UVA and UVB protection For use on babies 6 months and older, and in small amounts (on the face and back of the hands) in babies under 6 months.
	Insect repellent Use 5-10% DEET for babies, 25% for adults.
	Calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream To soothe insect bites, rashes, and sunburn.
	Cold pack To reduce swelling from bumps, bites, and minor burns. Get the kind you just squeeze to start the cooling reaction.
	First aid pocket guide

These are the things to take into consideration when travelling to a country:

Yes, babies need passport too and other travel requirements as per the destination country's immigration rule.
Check the weather in the country you are traveling to and bring appropriate clothing.
Check for health warnings issued in that country and from your Health Department.
Get immunized and/or vaccinated preferably months ahead the trip.
Keep your local doctor informed and get his/her number to call to in case of emergency.

Well, that's all i can think of based on what i experienced with Shreesthi. She has the privilege to be the first baby from our family to get passport at the age of 40 days, fly at 4 months and by 10 months to have traveled to 3 countries.

breastfeeding

2009-09-17T02:49:00.000-07:00

I enjoy breastfeeding Shree till this day and will continue to do so for another 9mths. She is 15 mth now. Some may ask why don't i wean her completely...this way both she and i will be independent. Independent in the sense she gets her daily dose of bottle feed and i can get back to work without worrying. I have temporarily let go of work to become a full time housewife and mom.

There is something wonderful in breast feeding her. I am sure most mothers out there will agree. The bond that it creates is priceless. Well, breastfeeding gives her the closeness and warmth not to mention the excellent taste of milk. She just simply hates formula milk. I have tried to wean her for 1 or 2 feeds and tried a couple of brands, but she hates the smell. The minute i make a bottle of f.m., she gets that look on her face( yes..even 15mths makes face) determined not to be cajouled or bullied into drinking that awful stuff.

My hubby made a funny comment the other day. He said that on day 1, I did not know how to feed her and as for Shree, she couldn't suckle properly. But now look, the two of us are PRO.

She has no problem with meals that i prepare for her. She only have problem in drinking formula milk. But as my sister says, it takes time and patience to change to f.m.

If anyone has had similar progress with their child, please do post your experience and tips on how to wean a baby.