When
you travel, it is always advisable to pack lightly. But when you travel with
babies, you need to bring all essential baby things with you; otherwise, your
trip will be hectic and you will spend your free time running around trying to
find places where you can get the missing things. So when you are planning on traveling
with a baby, do not pack lightly. Instead, try to bring all the essential
things that will make your trip easier and more enjoyable. Prepare to check in your luggage and
take carry-ons with you. If traveling by car, plan to have a large enough vehicle with space to store all your baby supplies.
Here is a check list of what to pack for a family trip with a baby:
- Diapers and diaper rash cream
- Wipes
- Paper towels
- Pacifiers
- Plastic zip lock bags of various sizes
- Plastic containers of various sizes
- 2-3 changes of clothes per day
- Call and find out whether your hotels have self-service laundry facilities
- Your baby's favorite toys
- Stroller
- Infant carrier
- Baby car seat
- Portable crib
- Sheets for the crib, soft towels, blankets, bibs
- Hat with a wide brim
- Car shade
- Umbrella
- Baby formula, bottles, spoons
- Water, juice, snacks (note, as of 2006, you can't bring your own bottled water on board on an airplane)
- Medical kit with first-aid remedies for you and your baby:
- Cotton swabs
- Droplet or pipet
- Liquid iodine for cuts and burns (a small bottle costs $3.00)
- Chamomile extract for minor eye and ear infections
- Aloe Vera cream for skin rashes and inflammations
- Aloe Vera juice for bowel problems
- Psyllium seed husk for constipation and/or diarrhea (mix a large tablespoon with a glass of water or apple juice and drink on an empty stomach, follow with another glass of water a few minutes later and then drink plenty of water during the day, at least 2 liters per day). If you're breastfeeding, all this will pass to your baby through your milk. Interestingly, psyllium alleviates symptoms of both constipation and diarrhea without creating dependency. There are no known side effects, and it works without fail, even in severe cases (in such cases, you need to take psyllium 2 or 3 times per day for the first little while and then gradually decrease).
- Tea tree oil to treat mosquito bites and to prevent mosquitoes from wanting to bite you. Make sure you and your baby are not allergic to it. Be careful not to get it in the eyes.
- Sugar free Vitamin C for colds and flues. If you get a cold or flu during the trip, take 5-6 grams (yes, grams, i.e. 5000-6000 mgs) of vitamin C at once, do it three times a day for 2-3 days or more depending on how bad your symptoms are. There are no known side affects except you will run to the restroom more often. Your symptoms will go away. This method works without fail. Do not continue high dosages for more than a few weeks (unless you are chronically ill).
- Camera and notebook (either electronic or paper-based).
When traveling with a baby, take notes and then write to us to let us know what you've learned while traveling with your baby, so that we can share it with our members.
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