Traveling with an infant is an entirely different ballgame for the traveler who has been traveling alone all the while. It’s as fun as its demanding. An infant is a child less than a year old. Their demands make the journey unique. The confining seats, changes in cabin pressure, noise and the long duration of some flights can add up to the trouble.
Traveling with an infant requires a long-term preparation. The infant requires an international passport and a Visa. While booking the flight, it’s important to request a bassinet and a seat that provides enough legroom to accommodate the infant. Unavailability of the right seat makes the journey challenging especially if you are traveling in the economy class.
It is important to pack enough and right clothing as appropriate for the weather at the destination. Diapers, wipes, feeding bottles, infant foods (if no longer on exclusive breastfeeding), pacifiers, and toiletries are a must. A stroller or baby carrier will be needed to move around within the airport depending on the baby’s size and preference. The hotel or accommodation at the destination should be notified of the infant for provisions like cot, toys and baby meals to be made available.
Pre-travel care: It is advised that the child visits a Travel Medicine Physician along with the parents at least 4-6 weeks before the scheduled travel. The Travel Physician provides up to date health information about the destination. He gives the recommended vaccines especially if there are vaccine-preventable outbreaks in the destination also ensuring that routine vaccinations are up to date.
The travel physician provides advice that is personalized that will reduce the risk of illness and injury during the travels. Travel health bags (This contains first aid medications) should be obtained at the pre-travel consultation. As for any traveler, insurance coverage for illnesses and injuries while abroad should be verified before departure. Consideration should be given to purchasing special medical evacuation insurance for airlifting or air ambulance to an area with adequate medical care.
During travels: The infant food and other things that will be needed on transit have to be in the hand luggage. You can travel with expressed breast milk, bottled water, juice and snacks for the baby. Feeding/ chewing during take-off and landing is advised as it relieves the pressures in the ears. An infant must be strapped to the parent during take-offs and landing, except if the baby has a seat that is fixed with an airline compliant car seat. Get familiar with airplane safety tips highlighted for children in case of emergencies. It is preferred if the baby sleeps during flight, but when awake they can be engaged with downloaded entertainments.
On arrival at destinations, the infant should be made to rest. For shorter trips, baby activities and naps can be made to keep to the time zone at home but for longer trips, they can be slowly adjusted to the destination. The infant should be well covered to protect them from bites; discretion should be exercised as regards to what they are fed with.
For breastfeeding infants, it is preferred they stick with that. Playing with animals should be discouraged to prevent bites and scratch. Children should be supervised closely and should always wear a life preserver around water. Despite the demands of travel with an infant, there is no need to put travel on hold until the baby gets older. Now is the best time to experience the world together as a family. Embrace the craziness that comes with traveling with a baby. Your baby will only be a baby once, so enjoy these precious moments before they’re gone.
Dr Ade Alakija
Q-Life Advisory Services
