Have you gone and scratched off travelling from your year’s agenda because you now have a baby to take care of? Or… perhaps travelling IS in the menu but you are getting more and more worried as the travel date closes in, for you have no idea how to go about it with a little one in tow? Either way, we feel that with good preparation and some planning ahead, you can travel just about anywhere with junior and have a great time too!

Packing

You would be special indeed if you enjoyed packing for a holiday, for it is easily the least fun part of travelling! However, pack you must and leave things out you mustn’t! You can begin your packing as early as a week ahead. Pack all your holiday clothes and that of baby’s and your partner’s too. Have a checklist at hand and tick it off as you do. As the day nears, make certain you have everything you intend to bring along safely packed to go.

Baby essentials for travelling

Baby Travel Cot

This item is getting more and more popular among new parents and they now have a convenient way to let their precious child have a good night’s sleep (and some restful naps too!). Travel cots are generally very light and portable. They come with their own carry bag and some may even be complete with baby mobiles, changing mat, etc.

Stroller

A travelling parent will want a good lightweight stroller which is safe, sturdy, yet easy to manoeuvre. A good stroller will fold up with ease and is light enough to be carried if needed to. A stroller at hand when on holiday means that parents will not need to carry their baby all over the place. A stroller also doubles up as a shopping trolley, for good ones have ample space for shopping bags.

Baby Carrier/Sling

Let’s face it – babies can get really fussy at times and might want to be close as possible to mummy or daddy! When you’re out and about during your holiday, carrying a fussy baby in your arms the whole day can be tiresome. This is where a baby carrier or baby sling comes in handy. They are comfortable for both baby and you. Plus, when baby feels safe right there next to you, there will be less or no fussing and wailing while you’re shopping or sight-seeing.

Baby Car Seat

While not all parents find this a convenient thing to lug about, a baby car seat is actually an essential item to have with you at all times and not just when you’re driving about town with baby. You will need to be mobile even on holiday and your baby’s safety should always come first. Keep car rides safe for your baby by investing in a comfy one which is easy to install and uninstall. Or, you may want to invest in a stroller which converts into a car seat.

Baby wipes

Babies have the uncanny ability to find ways to make a mess when you want them to look their best. Thank goodness for the invention of baby wipes – those little wet pieces of disposable cloth which we can depend upon for quick and easy clean-ups anytime! Always carry a pack or two in your diaper bag.

Healthy baby snacks

Put a smile back on a grumpy baby during travelling by offering him or her a snack. Invest in healthy baby snacks which can be easily packed into your handbag or diaper bag such as baby biscuits. They may also come in convenient re-sealable pouch bags which keeps them fresher for longer.

Play mat

What can help keep a baby occupied with all its dangling toys, colourful motives and chewable bits? Why, a baby play mat of course! Also known as baby play gyms, these delightful mats help keep a baby entertained whether lying on his back or during tummy time. There are so many types to choose from so get one and pack it away so it will be a novelty for your baby during your holiday!

Mosquito repellent

The last thing you want is for any of your family members to be bitten by mosquitoes while travelling or at your destination. Some mosquitoes can even cause diseases like dengue and malaria. Keep a mosquito repellent handy with you at all times. Baby mosquito repellent come in a number of forms such as roll-on, spray, balm, stick-on patches and even repellent bracelets! Select which suits your needs the best and pack them away for use at your travel destination.

Sun block

You may love sunbathing but unfortunately the sun does not love you the same these days, especially since the leaks in the ozone layer. The sun’s rays can be quite harmful to you and can be especially dangerous for your baby’s delicate skin. It is always best for your little one to be protected from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. The easiest, most convenient way to do that is to put on some sunblock for your child. Make sure that you choose one which is formulated for use on a baby’s skin. Re-application is important so do read the instruction on how to make the most of your sun protection product.

Fever medication

Let’s knock on wood that you won’t need to use it, but many parents have found that carrying fever medication for their little one during holidays and vacations can turn out to be a great relief when a fever develops out of no where! The last thing you want is to be looking for a open clinic or pharmacy at 3am in a foreign city! Ask for safe fever medication from your doctor or pharmacist to take with you during your holidays and pack them separately in a ziplock bag.