The appearance of a child in the family is not a reason to give up traveling. Yes, the format of the trip itself will probably change, but such a vacation can still be memorable and enjoyable. But careful preparation will be required. In this article, YokoSun has compiled a checklist for parents - what to take and what not to forget when preparing to travel with a child.
1. Trip planning
Be that as it may, holidays with your baby will be different, and from the very first stage - preparing for it. When traveling, you should consider your baby's comfort needs, and here's what you need to pay attention to.
Find out more about the hotel you are going to. Some provide strollers or even car seats for children. Knowing this, you can significantly lighten your luggage.
A lot depends on the method of travel: from luggage contents to the cost of travel. For example, air travel within Russia is free for children under 2 years of age. In this case, the child usually flies in the same seat as the parent; you can take baby food and even a car seat on board. Foreign flights for children 2-12 years old are usually cheaper than adult tickets - the size of the discount depends on the airline.
Travel in Russia by train for children under 5 years old is free if the baby does not occupy a separate seat. There are discounts for older children.
When traveling with a child, it’s worth thinking about the route. It will largely depend on the age and rhythms of the baby. The older the child, the more his entertainment needs need to be taken into account. With younger children, it’s worth considering his routine: how often the baby sleeps and eats. Prepare a map of establishments in advance - which ones serve a children's menu? Is there a pharmacy near the hotel?
2. Documents and security
Perhaps the most important and obvious thing is documents. Which ones will you definitely need when traveling with a baby?
Obviously, you can’t do without them on a trip abroad. Children will need such a document only upon reaching 14 years of age.
Take SNILS and a compulsory health insurance policy. When traveling abroad, be sure to take out medical insurance, including coverage for childhood diseases.
For one parent to travel with a child, a special power of attorney will be required in most countries. Prepare it in advance. It is better to save a copy of the power of attorney, like other documents, on your smartphone.
3. First aid kit for baby
You will probably need a first aid kit on a trip, and we are not even talking about illnesses, but about ordinary everyday incidents - the appearance of calluses or cuts. In addition to the patch, you should definitely take these medications or items when traveling with your child.
These drugs must be selected based on the baby’s condition and the recommendations of a specialist. Doctors strongly recommend not to forget about them when preparing for travel. You may also need drops in your nose.
It is worth considering that poisoning, intestinal infection or heat stroke may occur during the trip. Choose the ones that are right for your baby. It is also worth taking with you local steroids, which may be needed for insect bites.
If your child is prescribed special medications, do not forget about them. Take the amount of funds that you will need for the entire trip, or better yet with a small margin.
According to statistics, 45% of parents consult doctors when traveling due to problems with digestion and skin. The basic set should include:
4. Hygiene on the road
A surefire way to reduce the risk of disease is maintaining hygiene when traveling. Here are some care items that can help you out when traveling with your baby.
When traveling with a baby, you will definitely need disposable diapers and diapers to change them. Choose high-quality and proven hypoallergenic products to avoid unpleasant “surprises” while traveling. By the way, YokoSun Premium diaperscan provide up to 12 hours of dryness - this makes a difference on the road. Bring enough diapers based on travel days, as well as unforeseen circumstances.
Perhaps this is almost the most necessary thing on a trip. Moreover, it is universal. You may need napkins for changing a diaper, just for cleaning your hands, and more.
Choose a safe and hypoallergenic product that is suitable for the whole family. For example, wet wipes from YokoSun are 99% purified water and are also available in a convenient travel format.
Often, due to acclimatization, babies have a runny nose, so you can’t do without paper napkins on a trip. YokoSun baby wipes are highly absorbent, and a small package is convenient to take with you.
5. Lifehacks
Some non-obvious things can be forgotten, but they can make caring for a child on the road and beyond much easier. This is also something worth taking care of.
The device is simply irreplaceable if you have a long trip ahead. And it doesn’t take up much space.
During a trip, the baby may start to be capricious. A new toy can save the situation - this way you can distract the child’s attention for a while. For these purposes, you may need a tablet or any device with children's headphones.
On the road, you can turn on audio fairy tales for your baby - it’s pleasant and useful. The baby may like a series of fairy tales about the adventures of the cat Yoko, they teach kindness, friendship and talk about the basics of hygiene in a playful way. Tales about the cat are available on all platforms.
When getting ready, choose multi-layered clothing that is comfortable to wear on the go. Try to avoid items with small buttons and complex fasteners - this will also create additional discomfort.
You probably haven’t forgotten about the bottle and baby food. A special children's plate with a lid can also help on the road. It is convenient to carry a snack or take food to go.
Preparing for a trip with a child requires 3 times more time than a regular trip, but modern tools and proper planning reduce the stress. The main thing is to collect the right set of things, as well as tools that you can really trust.