Being a new mom is filled with moments of anxiety as we do each thing with / for our baby for the first time. While for most other things, we have our parents / nannies guiding us, traveling is one thing which one learns through one’s own experience.  I traveled with my son for the first time when he was 45 days old. Ever since, we have taken 10 flights with my 7 months old son. Sharing from my experience, a checklist for all new moms:

1. Blocking your seats: Most airlines do not allow web check-in when traveling with an infant. However, most of them allow you to block seats by telephone. Do this well in advance and ask for the seat you prefer. Most airlines give window and middle seat with infants, which is comfortable for breastfeeding moms. However, if your baby is formula fed, you can go for an aisle seat. This helps you to get up and rock the baby easily in case s/he gets cranky.

2. Essentials for the diaper bag: 2 sets of clothes, 3-4 diapers (depending on the travel duration and your baby pee and poop pattern), napkins, wet wipes, quick dry sheet, formula and boiled water (for formula fed babies), a sheet for the baby to cover him/ her in case it gets cold in the flight, medicine for colic (in case the baby gets too cranky on account of colic), a few rattles (if he is big enough to play with them), and some food for the baby if he has started semi-solids and cotton for the baby’s ears.

3. Using Prams / Carriers: All airlines allow you to carry the pram up to the aircraft, where you need to hand it over as you board the flight and you get it back as soon as you deplane. This is not counted as luggage. So if your baby is comfortable in the pram, carry it along all the way. Alternatively, you could also carry your baby in a carrier (preferably an ergonomic one) where s/he remains snug and leaves both your hands free. My personal experience has been better with the carrier only because the pram needs to be folded for the security check and lifted every time you need to take a staircase, even if it’s just a couple of stairs which I find inconvenient.

4. Skip the long queues: When traveling with an infant, you can jump the queues, whether it is for check-in, security check or boarding. The airport and airline staff will be more than happy to let you skip the queues.

5. Feeding the baby: Breast feeding moms should ensure they carry a nursing cover to be able to comfortably feed your baby. You could also use a dupatta or stole for the same if you fear your baby might feel hot in the nursing cover. For babies who are formula fed, carry 3-4 bottles filled with water depending on the quantity of milk your baby takes in one feed so that all you need to do is add the formula without worrying about measuring the quantity of water. Try and feed your baby while take-off and landing to avoid any discomfort for them.

6. Handling a cranky baby: If you are lucky, your baby will sleep through the flight / be playful, all through the journey. There is a high chance that your little one will get uncomfortable and start crying. In such a situation, try and feed the baby to calm him down or stand with him when the seat belt signs are off. If my son doesn’t sleep while being fed, he always needs to be rocked to sleep. Which is why I prefer aisle seats so that I can conveniently get up and rock him as needed. You could also carry a pacifier (if you are using one) to help the baby remain calm or keep him engaged the way you would do at home. Your medicine for colic could also come in handy if the baby gets colicky.

7. Don’t shy away from asking for help: Traveling with a new born can be challenging. While a lot of people will be proactive in helping you out, feel free to ask for it if you need it. This would include the airport and airline staff and your co-passengers. You could seek help things like carrying the pram for you, helping you with your luggage, picking up stuff that your baby might have dropped.

PS: Given my travel experience with my son has only been on flights, my tips are focused on air travel. Hope some of them prove to be useful for road/ train travel as well.

– By Nidhi Sehgal Juneja, a senior consultant at Aon Hewitt and a mom of 7 month old boy Shaurya.

Image Source: Travelwithbaby.org