Parenthood is the most beautiful milestone one can experience in life. The freshness of a newborn child, the tiny delicate fingers, and the sweet innocence, all of it is simply a breathtaking beauty. However, when one has to go on a road trip and taking that sweet bundle of joy is the only viable option, having your hair plucked from its roots suddenly isn’t your worst nightmare. Infants require a lot of tender love and care, and a lot more when you decide to travel, especially for first-time parents.
Here are some tips to remember that may make things a bit more pleasurable for everyone including the baby during that memorable tour.
1. Clean, comfortable and safe
Vacation time is a relaxing time, and everyone needs to be relaxed. Make sure to dress him/ her in soft, loose clothes and loosen the diaper strap as well.
Also, get a baby car seat that is well-secured and padded enough to ensure extra comfort.
Carry lots of wet wipes and antibacterial hand sanitiser for everyone to use frequently along the ride.
Strategically pack everything you need in a way that can be easily located and quickly unpacked.
Research the reliable hospitals closest to the place of accommodation and have your pediatrician’s contact on speed dial in case of any complications.
2. Food
Breast milk works best any time anywhere, mommies shouldn’t feel shy about it at all. However, you still have the option of pumping some beforehand and carrying some in a small cooler box (Separate from Daddy’s huge cooler that’s full of beer).
If weaning, have some small tins of baby mash packed in a warm thermos to last the entire journey.
When booking the hotel, remember to inform them you shall be travelling with a baby so that they can prepare a baby cot and inform the kitchen staff of any special dietary needs.
Remember to have lots of drinking water and rinsing water as well. Bacteria is always lurking around in the open waiting to attack a vulnerable tummy, so once a tin is opened don’t feed the baby from the same tin and don’t reuse a dirty spoon either, have several disposable ones or thoroughly clean the one.
3. Keep Cool
Most Kenyans take trips during the warmer seasons, so keeping cool is important while on the road. Sip on water frequently and give some to the baby too.
Keep the air conditioning on although not direct on the baby’s face to avoid irritation, also remove some clothing and the baby’s diaper to prevent heat rash.
4. Sharing is caring
Delegate baby duty time to everyone during the trip so that you can have some good and quiet time to refresh and for the others to bond with the newborn too. Of course, always ensure a trusted adult is always present.
5. Routine
Much as you are away from home, try to maintain the baby’s routine as much as possible. Bath time, feeding time, playtime and sleep time should pretty much remain as is so as to keep the baby from getting too grumpy in the new surroundings.
All in all, relax, sing along in the car, take many photos and have a happy and fun trip and I am sure baby will too.
