The Bump to Baby Travel Guide is packed full of useful information for parents, including advice on travelling while you are pregnant to preparing your first travel experience with your baby.
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Written by mummy travel author Sarah Tucker, we have picked her four top tips on making travel with your baby as smooth as possible:
1. High maintenance mum, high maintenance child
If you have a baby with colic or who is teething it doesn’t matter how laid back you may be, it is difficult not to become stressed when you are in a plane full of passengers. The key to this is to remember to stay calm, as the baby will pick up on your mood. Take some lavender oil for the journey to dot around and create an air of calm for both you and your baby. It also helps to wash baby’s clothes and a comforter or blanket in Persil Non-Bio and Comfort Pure, to ensure their skin is protected, irritation free and ‘cuddle-proofed’.
2. Plane, train or automobile?
Trains are the definite preference- babies and toddlers don’t need to be strapped in, they are able to look through the window, their temperature can be monitored and most importantly they are able to see mum’s face. A long train journey can also be incredibly helpful to get your baby to drift off to sleep. Cars are an easy way to travel within the UK; however babies can feel slightly limited by the car seat restriction and heating. Make sure the car seat is super comfortable and journey-ready by layering it with a blanket and baby pillow, and have the heat on low.
Take along some entertaining music for baby to bounce along to and help the journey pass quickly! If you are hiring a car abroad, always ensure that you pre-book a car seat for ease when you arrive. Most companies should offer it and travelling by car is a great way to see the sights and carry around all your baby paraphernalia!
As for planes, cabin crew are much better with baby and toddler care than they were a decade ago. British Airways, Emirates and Virgin Atlantic have specially trained cabin crew who are very knowledgeable and used to dealing with babies. Always book an early morning flight, not a night flight - if baby doesn’t sleep nor will anyone else!
3. Where to travel
A great way to test the water when travelling with your baby is to visit family based further afield in the UK. It is also one of the best ways to get a break for yourself, as they will be more than happy to look after the little one and make a fuss! When travelling abroad, short haul travel may seem easier than long haul as far as the journey is concerned, but the long haul carriers usually have the best facilities and trained cabin crew.
Choose a destination where the climate is moderate and the hotel offers a baby care facility for new-borns - many hotels offer baby care but only for babies over six months or a year old. Try to go for destinations where the culture is child focused (Portugal, Greece, Italy) and remember, babies don’t care about luxury or five star ratings!
4. When to travel
The joy of travelling with babies and toddlers is that there is no need to stick to travelling in school holidays, so take advantage of this while you can! This also means you will be able to visit destinations when the climate is more temperate.
During the height of summer Turkey, Greece or Southern Italy will be too hot for your little one- visiting in mid-May or early October will be much more enjoyable and cost effective.
Most of all, enjoy the journey!
Starting travel early makes children more relaxed travellers as they get older, whilst creating unforgettable memories for the whole family. So book your trip, pack a camera and this guide and you will be ready to go!
For further tips and advice visit www.comfortpure.co.uk
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