Small babies (less than six months of age) can be very easy to travel with depending on the mode of transportation you choose.
When traveling with children you need to expect to be delayed and your plans can always be forced to change at the last minute.
Be prepared for this so you are less frustrated when arrangements do change.
The travel items you will find almost essential are:
* At least three complete changes of clothes for baby
* One change of clothes for you
* A sling (a baby carrying miracle that soothes, calms, and quiets fussy and tired babies)
* More nappies than you think you will need to pack (small babies can wet often).
* Baby wipes for sticky hands and faces
Breast-feeding improves the traveling experience for both you and your baby.
Nursing during take-off and landing of the plane helps the baby deal with the air pressure.
There is nothing as convenient as being able to nurse/feed a niggly baby. No matter where you go, anytime, no bottles, no refrigeration, no sterilisation.
Bring a few soft toys that squeak to help keep the baby occupied.
Make arrangements for a car seat if you are driving anywhere by car.
If you stay at a hotel or relatives, ensure you can have a queen or king-sized bed.
Your baby will benefit greatly by sleeping with you in a strange place and you will all be much more rested with night-wakings if you don't have to crawl out of a warm bed to nurse the baby.
Leave time to get where you want to go - babies cannot be scheduled.
If you allow yourself an extra half an hour you will be prepared for an extra nursing, a wet diaper, soaked clothes, a blouse that needs to be changed if baby spits up.
While you are traveling with your new arrival, sit in non-smoking restaurants and don't expose him to cigarette smoke at the houses of relatives where you live - babies' lungs do not thrive on tar and nicotine.
If you carry baby in the sling on the trip, he will probably be able to nap and sleep quite easily even with the excitement around you.
Try not to overbook yourselves - constant dragging of a small child in and out of the car, in and out of houses, and in and out of arms that are strange and unknown can easily overstimulate your baby and he will become very fussy and unhappy.
It is really best for a small baby (under three to four months) to stay close to dad and especially mom for the majority of the time.
It is natural for a mother to feel possessive of the baby and not wanting everyone to hold him.
It is also natural for a breast-feeding mom to need to drink lots, and rest frequently.
Attempt to leave a few hours in the afternoons free while you are traveling so mom can lay down with the baby and rest.
Mom should nurse often if you get too busy visiting and don't nurse, you may become engorged or suffer from mastitis (a painful breast infection).
Air travel with babies
Taking a plane trip with your baby is easier than ever.
There cannot be a better time to travel with a youngster than at the age of four months. Assuming that your baby breast-feeds, you won't have to plan for very much. In fact, most infants are resilient on long trips.
The most common problem that babies have on airplanes is eustachian tube dysfunction that can cause pain on ascent and descent.
Plan to feed him and let him suckle while the plane is taking off and again while it is landing.
The swallowing mechanism opens the eustachian tube and allows air to flow from the back of the nose to the middle ear.
This reduces negative pressure on the eardrum and minimises pain.
Since it's unlikely that your baby is on other foods, breast-milk or bottled milk should suffice.
If your infant is already eating a little bit of cereal, plan ahead and bring it with you. Don't mix any formula or juices with water from the bathroom faucet.
Instead, ask the flight attendant for help and use bottled water on the plane.
Most important - try to hold your baby close to you when you sleep, so your baby will also sleep. Then you should have a very easy time.
Enjoy traveling now, because when your child is a toddler he won't be able to sit still on the plane. - Staff doctor