Travelling With Babies
- Does my baby need a passport?
- Should I take my new baby on a plane?
- What water should I use for my baby?
- How do I keep my baby safe in the sun?
- What immunisations will my baby need?
Taking your baby on holiday can be great fun, travelling for the first time with a baby can also make parents a little anxious.
Travelling babies on the whole tend to be no problem, often sleeping a great deal of the time. The amount of equipment they need however, is a different story.
Will I need a passport for my baby?
As from October 1998, it is no longer possible to include children on a adult’s passport. If your child is already included on your own or your partner’s passport, he she can carry on travelling abroad until it expires. Otherwise, passport application forms are available from your local post office.
A new baby can fly
If absolutely necessary a newborn baby can fly at a week old, it is probably best to wait until he/she is at least 4 - 6 weeks old if you can. If your baby has a cough, cold or ear infection, it is advisable to check with your GP before flying.
Flight Tips:
- Let your Tour Operator know that you have a baby
- Look at flight options - choose a flight that will cause minimal disruption to your baby’s routine
- Always be prepared for delays!
- Ask to be moved if the flight isn’t full and the empty seats are more suitable for you
- Feed your baby at take-off and landing for comfort (stops the ears popping). Can also encourage sleep!!!!!!
- Check to see if the airline that you are travelling with provides baby foods, nappies and warms up bottles
- Allow plenty of time for security and ask if you can take your buggy all the way to the plane (have a sling handy too)
- A bag of favourite toys always comes in handy
Feeding on route:
- Planning ahead is essential
- Breastfeeding whilst travelling will reduce the amount of equipment needed
- If you are bottle feeding then ready
to-use formula cartons have got to be
the best solution. Disposable bottles
are also available, and if your baby
prefers warm milk, then it is worth
investing in a travel bottle warmer or flask - Always have more feeds available than are needed (just in case of delays!)
- If your baby is weaning then check with your airline to see if they provide jars of baby food. Homemade foods in re-sealable containers can be stored in a cool bag and given en route.
- A baby who is eating finger foods will make travelling lighter, just have lots of and a good variety of foods available (always best to avoid foods that melt)
- Have baby wipes and disposable bibs readily available.
- You can also buy cartridges for holding milk powder and re-useable microwave bags for sterilizing
What water should I use for my baby?
In the UK the sale of bottled water is controlled by the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulation 2007. These regulations originate in European Legislation and it is expected that all European countries have similar rules governing the safety and quality of bottled and tap water in the UK.
The food standards agency advise
Travelling to European Countries:
- Where possible use boiled and cooled tap water
- Otherwise use boiled and cooled spring water or bottled drinking water (it has to meet the same requirements as tap water)
- If you choose to use natural mineral water, the check it’s mineral content. Check the salt/sodium level is less than 0.2g/l or 200mg/l
Non-EU countries
Do not have to meet the European requirements and it is therefore best to check with your travel agent.
| For more information contact The Foreign and Commonwealth Office | |
 |
www.fco.gov.uk |
Whatever water you decide to use, it is always necessary to use freshly boiled water when preparing powdered infant formula and follow on formulas, that has been left to cool for no more than 30 minutes, in accordance with instructions on the formula feed packet. Feeds should be prepared as required and any left over feed discarded.
Safety In The Sun
- Babies under 6 months should never be exposed to direct sunlight
- Stay in the shade between 11:00 - 15:00
- Make sure they never burn
- Always cover up (hat and glasses too)
- Remember to take extra care with children. Use a sun protection factor of 15+
Immunisations
- Make sure your baby’s/child’s routine immunisations are up to date
- Contact your GP Practice well in advance to check if extra immunisations will be needed
| For more information visit | |
|
www.eatwell.gov.uk |
