Travelling has always been a part of daily life and with an infant, this doesn't need to change necessarily. However, your newborn is delicate and can only tolerate so much so how to decide when to take your little kiddo travelling? Well, we are here today to find a solution to that. You might want to take your newborn on trips with you but there are some rules in this environment now.
Some specific set of rules which are necessary for the well being of your infant who is not used to travelling yet. These rules and tips become especially important if your newborn is very young (especially if he or she is less than 3 months old). Thus in this article, we shall delve into some of the rules and guidelines about how soon can a newborn travel long distance by car.
How to deal with travelling to crowded places?
The doctor might tell you to avoid crowds for your baby if his or her age is below 3 months as by then the immune system of the newborn isn't fully developed. This tip is necessary for your travelling plans as well.
Hence you should try to travel with fewer people so that your newborn comes close or in contact with as few people as possible due to the risk of various diseases. Consulting with a doctor or a paediatrician is the best call before going ahead with the travel plan. He or she might suggest immunization techniques so that your baby is better equipped to deal with the problems of being in an unfamiliar environment.
What do you need to be equipped with?
You should have all the supplies ready with yourself and pack extra too if needed. Items like pacifiers, new clothes, diapers, toys or feeding supplies or any medication. ORS is a very common drink common for infants who are suffering from diarrhoea and it helps to prevent dehydration.
Infants or babies get scared sometimes from being outside of their normal environments and routines which is why you should make sure that you have some familiar items ready with you which can calm him or her. Thus one should always be loaded with backup supplies before travelling.
Should your newborn be of a certain age before being fit for travel?
All of the above-mentioned methods can only help if your child is above the age of 3 months. Doctors and paediatricians would strictly recommend you not to take chances with travelling if your child is either below that age or has problems related to immunity. Even if your newborn is sturdy and resistant to diseases, you should always ensure sanitary conditions and choose your travelling locations very wisely as they can directly affect your baby's health.
Precautions to take while travelling with a newborn:
You should always use the rear seat of the car until your child is of 2 years of age or of the right height and weight for the car. Attach the straps well so that they don't get loose and hold your baby seat in place. Since your child will be in the back seat, try putting and decorating the back of the front seats with painting and other stuff.
These shall focus their attention and help them stay happy. Put on some smooth and calm music to help them and use window shades to protect them from the extreme sun. Always dress your baby in comfortable clothes especially during long journeys and if they are awake and not sleeping, then remember to stop every hour to attend to them and change their diapers. If your baby's regular feeding habit coincides with the travel schedule, then take a break and feed your child and then resume your journey. Try not to let the journey affect any of the habits of your child and that the journey doesn't make your newborn uncomfortable.
Hence journeys can be long or short but they should not affect the health of your child or behaviour in any way. Never leave your child alone in the car with closed windows as they can die to suffocation or excess heat through the windows. Always keep your child under adult supervision. Keep their supplies like a diaper or clothes or the necessary items handy and then you are good to go for the trip. Stops are very important also unless your baby is sleeping when you can drive without giving much of the regular stops. Hope our tips helped you and thank you all for reading.
