Or should I leave my child behind?

It’s absolutely a good idea to take your child along on a vacation. Leaving a child behind will mean you are neither enjoying your vacation nor taking care of your child. It is possible to do both when baby is with you.

If your child is still on exclusive breastfeeding, you have to rule out all food items from the list, wow! That’s easy, isn’t it?

Tips to travel with your baby:

Air Travel: Baby will feel ear pressure and hence will cry at the time of takeoff and landing. You may feed your baby, give a pacifier, or give a bottle. Give something to suck and swallow to relieve ear pressure. Distraction works well also. Turning a video on while you are allowed OR flashing light, music etc can also be a good idea. If the baby still cries, don’t worry about your co-passengers. They usually understand. Soon enough baby will stop crying.

By road: A car seat and seat belt are a must. When wheels are moving, baby must be securely tightened and seated in a specific baby seat. Seats are available age-wise. So, make sure you have the right seat. If you have to feed or change diapers, please pull over the car and make a quick stop. Train travel: Babies love train travel due to the rocking movement. It is the safest and most comfortable way to travel with the baby. Just be careful of sanitization and you will be fine.

Things you may need on your vacation for the baby: Feeding-related items:

• Mom (If on exclusive breastfeeding)

• Formula (Optional)

• Ready-to-eat fruits, veggies, cereals

• Rusk

• Kettle

• Water bottle

• Milk feeding bottle/ Sipper

• Breast pump

• Steriliser

Toiletries:

• Soap

• Shampoo

• Massage Oil

• Moisturiser

• Sunscreen

• Glycerine to clean mouth

• Comb

• Soft cloth or brush to clean mouth

• diapers

• wipes

• changing pad

• Nappy bag

• Rash cream

Other items:

• teether

• pacifier

• mouth wiping clothes (Hankies)

• Sleeping bag

• Blanket

• Bibs

• Clothes

• Socks

• Shoes

• Cap

• Sunglasses

• Swimming gears

• Thermometer

• Basic medicine

• First aid kit

• Mosquito repellent

• Hand sanitizer

• Stroller

• Baby carrier

• Entertainment tools – iPad, kindle, phone, music

• Soft toy

• Camera

Now, that you are all packed up, have a safe holiday with your family. The P101 team is thankful to you for including your baby in your outing. For more information on pregnancy and post pregnancy click on Rita's Pregnancy 101.