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Travelling

Planning a trip with your baby

Things to consider before booking a holiday:

Length of journey
How comfortable is the mode of transport?
What temperatures can you expect during the holiday?
Are there special facilities for babies and young children?
Is it the right type of holiday for your baby?
Can you easily buy your baby’s usual food and milk?
Is there a suitable water supply?
Can you easily get medical advice? Is there a language barrier?
Will your baby need any immunisations before leaving? Your healthcare professional will be able to advise you about this
Are there likely to be mosquitoes? Ask your healthcare professional for advice about protection from malaria and buying a mosquito net and insect repellent
Check your travel insurance covers everyone in your family, the country you are visiting and the type of activities you might be taking part in
Make sure your passports are up-to-date and that your baby has a passport of their own
If you have any health concerns or queries about taking your baby on holiday, contact your healthcare professional

Travelling by car

Car seats

Always buy a new car seat for your baby, not a second-hand one, as it may have been in a crash
Make sure it conforms to the latest European Safety Standard – R44/04
Check it can be fitted to your car – ask a trained shop assistant or your local car dealership
Follow the car seat and car manufacturer’s instructions carefully
Don’t place a rear-facing car seat in the front if there is an active passenger airbag
Regularly check that your car seat is still suitable for your baby’s weight and size
If you are hiring a car when abroad, ensure that you can hire the right car seat for your baby. To be certain, take your own

Helping to stop your baby getting restless

Many babies fall asleep in the car, so you can make this more likely by starting your journey at their normal nap time or soon after they’re fed
Keep them occupied with soft toys or nursery rhyme music
If they get upset, don’t try to console them whilst driving. Pull over once it’s safe to do so

Safe journeys

Make sure your baby is securely strapped in
Never leave them alone
Keep car doors locked, even when you are in the car or filling up
Try to avoid travelling late at night
Always let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to arrive
Take your mobile phone with you and make sure it’s fully charged
If you park at the side of the road, try to make sure your baby is sitting on the side next to the kerb
For extra peace of mind, it may be worth joining one of the national breakdown companies. They’ll prioritise your call if you have a baby with you

Making travelling comfortable

Keep your baby at a comfortable temperature. Use layers of clothing, blankets and the car’s heating or air conditioning
Be organised. Keep nappies, wipes and changing equipment handy, rather than at the bottom of a suitcase
Stop for regular breaks. This will give you the chance to relax and feed and change your baby

Beware of the sun

When travelling on a sunny day, a car window blind will give them extra protection from the sun
Try to park in the shade. If you have to leave your car in direct sunlight, cover the car seat with a towel to keep it cool and prevent any metal fittings from becoming too hot

Trains, boats and buses

Protect your baby from any sudden movements by making sure they are securely fastened into their pushchair with the brakes on
If you have bags or suitcases, you might find it easier to carry your baby in a papoose or sling
Before you set off, check there are baby facilities
Many travel companies have special baby facilities. For example, ferry companies are usually happy to provide suitable cots or seats for babies and young children

Flying

Check the latest rules for what you can carry in your hand luggage, including food and drink for your baby
If possible, fly direct and travel at off-peak times
Check if your airline offers any special facilities for babies
Ask for a bulkhead seat or a seat with extra legroom
Book a bassinette or pay for an extra seat (child fare) to make sure you have enough space
Pack more baby supplies in your hand luggage than you think you’ll need
Change your baby’s nappy immediately before you board the plane
Dress them in layers
Take a few favourite toys on board
Breast or bottle-feed your baby during take-off and landing – the sucking action will help ease the pressure in their ears

Feeding on the move

Try to plan any stops to fit with their normal feeding pattern
If you’d prefer to breastfeed somewhere private, most service stations, restaurants and cafés have special baby facilities
Liquid baby milks, which come in ready-to-use cartons, are very convenient if you’re bottle-feeding. Remember to pack sterilised bottles and a pair of clean scissors to open the carton (scissors with blades more than 6 cm (2.5") are not allowed on aircraft, the cabin crew will open the carton for you)
Take sterilised bottles and a flask of boiling water so you can make up feed when your baby needs it
Buy a flask solely for holding freshly boiled water
Before filling the flask, wash it thoroughly and rinse with boiling water
Boiling water is obviously a scalding hazard, so be careful with toddlers around
Always check the milk’s at the right temperature before giving it to your baby
Always dispose of unfinished feeds
Dispose of any boiled water that has cooled to below 70°C

Drinks

If you are travelling on a hot day or are on a long journey, keep a bottle of freshly boiled, cooled water in case your baby gets thirsty
Breastfed babies do not need extra drinks until they start weaning. However, they may want to feed more than usual if the weather’s hot

Food

Jars of baby food are convenient. However, with a little preparation, homemade food can easily be divided into small portions and stored in plastic containers
It’s possible to feed straight from the jar. But make sure you throw away any leftovers, as an open jar has a higher risk of contamination
Make sure lids are secure
Keep food refrigerated as much as possible. Once you take food out of the fridge, it should be eaten within two hours (4 hours if kept in a cool bag)

Getting the temperature right

If the food was frozen, remember to check it’s thoroughly defrosted
Empty the food into a plastic bowl
Warm the bottom of the bowl in a bowl of hot water and stir the food until it’s lukewarm throughout
Many restaurants, cafés, service stations etc. will heat your baby’s food for you. However, some may be unable to heat home-cooked food because of hygiene rules
Always test the temperature carefully before feeding it to your baby
Never heat your baby’s food in the microwave as this may create ‘hot spots’ which could scald them

Equipment for feeding solids

Clean plastic feeding bowls with lids
Clean plastic spoons and forks (in a container)
A flask of hot water (to heat food)
Wet wipes/damp flannel (to wash your baby’s hands and face)
A small supply of washing up liquid

Young children are especially vulnerable to bacteria that cause food poisoning, so it is very important to store and prepare food safely.

Always wash your hands and ensure utensils are clean before preparing or serving food.

Finger food

From about 7 months, babies start experimenting with finger foods, like pieces of fresh fruit and bread. You can store favourite finger foods in a plastic sandwich box for meals or snacks
From about 9-12 months, your baby will be starting to eat a wide range of foods, which should make eating on the move even easier

Breastfeeding on holiday

If you are breastfeeding, carry on as normal. But also:

Pay extra attention to food hygiene
Make sure all fruit and vegetables you eat have been properly washed/peeled
If you have any doubts about the quality of the local drinking water, only drink bottled water and avoid ice cream and ice in drinks
Drink plenty of fluids

Bottle-feeding on holiday

Contact the manufacturer of your usual baby milk well in advance to check if the brand is available at your destination. To check the availability of SMA infant milks, call the SMA Careline freephone on 0800 0 81 81 80 (UK) or 1800 931 832 (ROI).
If your usual brand is not going to be available, it’s a good idea to pack adequate supplies in your suitcase. Use unopened, sealed tins, sachets or ready-to-use cartons. Make sure cartons are well packed to prevent crushing
If your baby has a special kind of infant milk, remember to order supplies well in advance. This is especially true if a prescription is required

Sterilising feeding equipment

Until your baby is six months old, you’ll need to sterilise all feeding equipment. You can take your steriliser on holiday (if electrical check manufacturer’s instructions for suitability and take a plug adaptor) with you or invest in a portable sterilising system.

Taking special precautions when abroad

If you’re not sure about the quality of the local water supply, ready-to-use milks are a good alternative to powdered baby milk
It’s also possible to use bottled water to make up your baby’s feeds but only use bottled waters suitable for infant feeding (the sodium level shown on the label must be below 200 mg/l)
Bottled water must be boiled and cooled before use

If your baby is eating solids, it’s a good idea to pack supplies of their favourite jars of baby foods, just in case it’s not available where you are.

Taking care in the sun

Babies and children have very delicate skin, which can burn easily in the sun.

The NHS advise keeping your baby out of the sun as much as possible, especially when it’s at its strongest (11am-3pm).

If you are out and about on a sunny day:

Attach a parasol or sunshade to the pushchair to keep your baby out of direct sunlight
Use a high SPF sunscreen (50+)
Apply sunscreen all over – even areas which will be covered by clothing, as the sun’s rays can penetrate through light fabrics
Reapply sunscreen regularly
Babies and children over 6 months should wear a t-shirt or sun suit and a wide-brimmed hat in the sun
Always cover your baby’s head with a light cap or bonnet
On the beach, a lightweight sun tent is useful to shield your baby
Remember that the effect of the sun is even greater if reflected off water or snow
Wind can also make your baby’s delicate skin sore, so keep them sheltered

Holiday first aid kit

Always check that any medicines are suitable for your baby’s age and follow the instructions carefully.

Basic items for a first aid kit:

Paracetamol and ibuprofen suspensions (sachets are useful)
Antiseptic wipes
Rehydration sachets
Washproof plasters
Bandages
Instant ice pack
Baby scissors
Calamine lotion
Decongestant
Cotton wool
Roll of micropore tape
Antiseptic cream
Thermometer for your baby

Nappies

If you’re using disposable nappies, contact the manufacturer to check they are easily available where you’re going. If not, it’s worth considering taking a supply with you.