Where to Go on a Trip With 7 Month Old Baby

Like many parents, you may feel like you don't want to be anywhere except home with your new baby. Your baby needs lots of attention and feeds, so travelling long distances and going on holiday can feel daunting to manage. And you may be feeling exhausted, too. But enjoyable travel is possible, and we have some tips to help things go smoothly for you.

When is my baby old enough to travel?

Your baby can travel soon after they're born. Most airlines prefer babies to be at least two days old, but after that, it's up to you. Bear in mind that your baby will need a passport and, if necessary, a visa. It's also important to make sure they're covered by your travel insurance. And if they have a different surname from you, see official travel advice for what extra documents you need to take.

Young babies generally make good travellers if they feel cuddled and secure and are feeding regularly. The movement and activity often helps them sleep, too!

You may want to think twice before embarking on any long journeys if your baby has colic, is tongue tied, or you are feeling overwhelmed with new parenthood. If you feel you don't yet have a moment to spare between feeding and changing your baby, perhaps wait a few weeks until you are feeling more settled.

By three months, you and your baby are more likely to be ready to travel. Your baby is no longer as fragile, but still small enough to not mind whether their bed is at home or in a hotel room, or being cuddled close to you.

Once your baby is mobile or has established a routine, which is usually around seven months to nine months, travel can become a greater challenge.

What's the best way to transport my baby?

Choosing the right travel gear will certainly help smooth the journey and make it easier to explore your destination once you arrive.

If you are flying, a front carrier or baby sling is an ideal way to transport your baby when they're tiny. Being carried close to you or your partner will make them feel safe. Babywearing also makes travelling much easier on trains and buses. Using a sling keeps your hands free, so you can delve for passports, find money for fares, and carry bags – all while you hold your baby snugly.

If your baby is very young, a travel system with a car seat that fits on to the pushchair chassis may be the best option. It takes some of the hassle out of getting in and out of cars and aeroplanes, and means you can move your baby from the car to a cafe, from the plane to the arrivals lounge without disturbing them sleep. However, many systems take up quite a lot of space and are probably not the best option if you live in a tiny flat or you do not use a car.

In this situation, a lightweight, umbrella-folding stroller is a useful alternative. Fold-away pushchairs take up much less space than travel systems and can fit in the smallest car boot. They are also very practical when travelling by plane. Some versions also have car seats that can be attached to them, providing the best of both worlds. Make sure the model you choose is suitable from birth with a seat that lies flat. Some models are only suitable for babies from six months when they can sit up.

If you're travelling by plane, your baby can ride in their stroller to the aircraft door when it is usually put in the hold. Make sure you get a luggage tag for it at check-in.

What do I need to pack for my baby when we're going away?

• If you are booking a holiday and your baby usually sleeps in a cot, do ask for one when you make your reservation. Discovering there is no cot when you arrive at your destination with a tired baby is not a good start to a holiday.
• If you take along your own travel cot, pack a sheet and your baby's cover. The familiar smell of your laundry may help settle your baby when you're away.
• If you are buying a carrycot for your travel system, consider choosing one that is suitable for overnight sleeping. Not all of them are. It will be easier than taking a travel cot when your baby is small. At home, you can use the carrycot instead of a Moses basket.
• If your baby wakes when the sun rises, pack a travel blackout blind or blackout curtains. Not all rooms have thick curtains or shutters.
• If you're travelling somewhere hot, a baby sun pod will keep your baby shielded from the wind and the sun. Make sure your pushchair has a sun canopy or umbrella, too.
• You may also want to take a plug-in baby monitor or night-light with you, which is useful for settling your baby back to sleep in an unfamiliar room. You may need a plug adapter, too.
• Take along a couple of their favourite toys and books. Stacker cups are brilliant as they can double up as bath toys.
• If your baby likes a bath as part of their evening routine, a universal bath plug is very useful. It will turn a shower into a bath. Or you can put socks over the taps and bathe them in the basin.
• And of course, take along your camera to capture all the fun!

Along with the above, you will also need to remember all the usual baby supplies, which may include:

• nappies
• wipes
• nappy rash cream
• changing mat
• sunhat and sunscreen
• tissues
• car seat
• bibs
• first-aid kit
• breast pump
• travel steriliser kit
• clothes
• toys
• bottles
• formula milk

It's worth packing a basic first-aid kit with supplies of plasters and infant paracetamol for relieving a fever. If you are travelling overseas or going to an area a long way from shops, you may want to consider taking other items, such as a colic treatment, saline nose drops for stuffy noses, and teething gel. See our first-aid kit checklist for more ideas.

How can I keep my baby happy when travelling?

Making sure you are both feeling calm and rested is a good start. Try to make sure you and your baby get plenty of sleep before you set off.

Along with their food and drink, take a bag containing a few of your baby's favourite toys, plus a couple of new ones. Possible playthings can include:

• anything shiny
• baby-proof mirrors
• rattles
• musical toys
• soft animals
• pop-ups
• plastic keys
• teething rings

Car accessories to help when travelling

ONCO Baby Car Mirror

ONCO

Rear-view mirror so you can keep an eye on your baby

Any parent or carer of a baby will know just how frustrating it is when you cannot see your little one in their rear-facing car seat. If you can't see whether they're asleep, happy or upset it can feel rather stressful. A baby mirror helps by enabling you to see their face and know they're safe and comfortable.

The ONCO Baby Car Mirror is wide, shatterproof and very reasonably priced. Easily installed by fixing to the head rest, you can then use your driving rear-view mirror to see their face. It is designed to fit all car seat head rests too and the mirror is also available in a range of colours if you don't just want the standard black.

Available to buy on Amazon.

Diono Ultra Mat Seat Protector

JoJo Maman Bebe

Car seat protector

Wear and tear on your car's upholstery can be avoided with a car seat protector like this one from Diono. It helps stop your baby's car seat leaving indentation marks, and it gives some protection against those inevitable dirt marks that will find their way onto the seats.

This Diono one also has handy storage pockets at the bottom for your baby's toys too.

Available from JoJo Maman Bebe, other major retailers and Amazon.

Lamaze Flutterbug

Amazon

Baby toys

Newborns and babies often need something to entertain them while they're travelling. Having a clip-on toy they can't drop to keep them amused can transform a journey, especially if they need some stimulation aside from looking out of the window.

The Lamaze range include lots of different versions, including the Flutterbug, to help engage your baby's senses with all the bits to touch and look at.

Make sure any toy that clip on to their car seat do not impact the safety of how the seat is secured though.

Available from Toys Mega Store, Well Stuffed Toys, other major retailers and Amazon.

Tafs Toys Play and Kick Car Activity Toy

Amazon

Kick and play toys

Another option for a toy is the activity mats that fix to the head rest while your baby is in their rear-facing seat. It means you don't have to remember to take a toy to the car as it's already there, and it can keep your little one entertained while you drive to your destination.

If you don't have a car seat protector it can also provide a bit of coverage from dirt on the upholstery.

Available from Boots, OnBuy.com and Amazon.

Brica by Munchkin Car Window Sun Shades

Amazon

Sun shades

Sun shades can really help to block out some of those unwanted bright rays onto your baby. If you like your baby to sleep while you're driving, or you're worried about the sunshine coming through the window these are a great addition for your car.

Using suction cups to the glass or attached by window clips, this sun shade also has a hot heat indicator. Once attached to your window, the shade can be left down or up, meaning they offer a versatility some others don't.

Available from Urban Bebe, eBay and Amazon.

Yellodoor 84 Piece Mini Travel First Aid Kit

Amazon

First Aid kit for your car

When a first aid kit comes in an attractive case like this it's not just a safety add-on for your car, but almost a fashion accessory.

This mini travel first aid kit has 84 pieces, including plasters, scissors, sterile wipes, tape and all you need for those minor emergencies when out and about.

The kit is also available in a vintage spotty blue design and Humpty Dumpty version too.

Available from Yellodoor or Amazon.

Baby on board sign

Amazon

Baby on board sign

If you feel safer knowing other drivers are aware you have a baby on board, this sign is a good addition for your car.

It's cheap and means other road users will know instantly you're carrying a little one in your vehicle, with some feeling it's a safe option should there be an accident so the emergency services know who is in the vehicle.

Available from Amazon.

PowerTiger Hanging Car Bin

Amazon

Car bin

Baby wipes, snack wrappers, those old parking tickets can all end up swimming around on your car floor, but you can avoid it becoming one big rubbish tip by adding a bin. This one can hang from a variety of places in your vehicle making it a great option. It's leak-proof even if you don't have a bin bag in there too and is small enough not to get in the way.

It can also be used to store bottles that may leak – so may be a great option if you'd rather use for drink bottles on your travels.

Available from Amazon.

Fifth Gear Hanging Car Boot Storage

Amazon

Car boot organiser

Our car is an extension of our home, becoming a place we store things we need – and some things we don't! With a baby comes a lot of extra things and when they're all thrown on the back seat or in the car boot it can become a bit of a mess, particularly when you need to transport a travel system along too.

A car boot storage organiser will not only keep it tidy, but mean you can see exactly what you have – whether it's spare wipes and nappies, a set of extra baby clothes for those emergency moments or a first aid kit.

This Fifth Gear one is easy to attach by clip-in straps and has lots of pockets for all those extras.

Available to buy on OnBuy.com or Amazon

MyHappyRide car seat organiser

Amazon

Car seat organiser

If an organiser in the boot just isn't accessible enough, then one for the car seat may be a better option.

The MyHappyRide organiser is also fixed using the seat belt, so it can't fall off while you're driving, although avoid putting on the seat next to your baby in case they pick up something you might not want them to.

It's a great organiser to ensure you have everything you need without it rolling around in the foot well.

Available from eBay or Amazon.

How can I feed my baby when travelling?

Breastfeeding is very convenient when travelling as you don't need to pack any equipment.

If you are formula-feeding, you can buy convenient travel-sized packs of ready-made formula at most chemists and supermarkets. Or you could bring an insulated flask of boiled water, portions of formula powder, and sterilised bottles and teats. Then you can make a feed whenever your baby wants one.

Sterilising bottles may take a little organising, but travel bottle sterilisers and pre-sterilised bottle liners are available in many shops.

Your baby's milk and food is not subject to the same maximum restrictions as other liquids for aeroplane cabin baggage. You are allowed to carry enough for your baby's journey. Find out more in our travel tips for families.

If your baby is eating solids, pop a few well-wrapped jars and sachets of baby food into your luggage. You should be able to buy food when you're away, unless you are going somewhere really exotic. However, a few favourite flavours will help your baby settle. Lots of bibs are also essential for catching all that pureed sweet potato!

How can I keep my baby safe when travelling in the car?

Take the same careful approach to safety as you do at home. Follow these safety steps:

• Get some removable window shades for your car to shield your baby's skin and eyes from the sun.
• Make sure your baby's car seat is properly installed and that the seat belts, if used, are correctly threaded. Your baby should travel in a rear-facing car seat installed on the back seat of your car. Never place your baby's car seat on the front seat of a car with an activated passenger air bag.
• Never smoke when your baby is in the car. It's actually illegal to smoke in a car with anyone under 18 present, because of the dangers of second-hand smoke in such an enclosed space.

How can I keep my baby happy when travelling by plane?

Feed your baby during take-off and landing to ease any earache.

Give them a change of scenery from their seat when you can. Walk them about the plane or train and let them look out of the window. Unless they're asleep, lay them down safely and let them kick their legs at least every couple of hours.

Do ensure they're drinking enough during the journey. It's easy to become dehydrated when travelling.

Planning to travel with your older baby or toddler? Read our article on travelling with an eight to 15-month-old.

Where to Go on a Trip With 7 Month Old Baby

Source: https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a7157/travelling-with-a-newborn-to-eight-month-old

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