Palak Vyas

Following measures can help you have a cosy and comfy car ride with your child: <ol><li>Choose a good quality comfortable and safe car seat for your child.</li><li>Ensure the baby is comfortable in his/her clothes. It should neither be too hot nor too cold for the baby. See that the baby has a fresh diaper and (s)he is comfortable in it.</li><li>You can play good music like relaxation music/rhymes/ lullabies, anything that your child prefers. Take his toy basket or just few toys along. This will keep your baby happily engaged for some time.</li><li>Keep his/her pacifiers handy.</li><li>If the child is in the back seat one of the persons can go there and play with the child.</li><li>Hand a toy to your child when (s)he seems to cry. That will pacify him/her for some time.</li><li>You should try and select a time where it is actually baby’s sleep timing so the child sleeps in the car and is well rested when it’s time to play.</li><li>Let there be some swinging toys. Babies love watching it.</li><li>You can also take a photo album or picture books along to keep them engaged.</li><li>Ensure there is enough food and water plus there is fresh air to breathe so keep the window slightly rolled down for air.</li></ol> Note: It’s more difficult to travel by car with a baby than by bus or train as cars don’t allow much movement. A child tends to get crankier in a car because of this. So it is better to travel by bus/train whenever possible.

Car travelling is the trickiest of all with a child. It is better to travel by car when the distances are short.

Travelling with a child in car

Few things to keep in mind before you go on that much awaited trip with your baby:<ul><li>Before the trip- Check with your paediatrician for any immunisations or vaccination to eliminate any risk of dreadful diseases and to keep safe from unwanted sickness.</li><li>On the flight- If you are travelling by air, consider a rear facing seat, book a seat that has bassinet.</li><li>At the hotel- Check safety, example: railings and proper locks.</li><li>Keep them entertained.</li><li>Use mosquito repellents or sprays.</li><li>Be prepared with snacks and fluids.</li><li>Take extra clothing and stock of diaper.</li><li>Take your child’s favourite items which your child associates with sleep.</li><li>Take along their favourite toys.</li><li>Try not to take trips that are longer than 6 hours.</li><li>Keep first aid kit handy.</li><li>Try to plan stops along the way that are safe, not isolated and that allow you to walk around.</li><li>Consider scheduling trips around your child’s sleep time.</li></ul>

Travelling with a baby can be pretty tricky and tiring. The key here is to maintain patience all along.

Tips for travelling with a child 

Samiksha Choithani

Car sickness is usually caused as the brain receives conflicting information from inner ears, eyes and nerves. The child cannot see outside the car but can feel the motion. This conflicting situation can lead to upset stomach, fatigue, loss of appetite and vomiting.Here is what you can do to prevent it:<ul><li>Guide the child to look outside instead of using phone, playing game or reading a book. If the child can sleep during travelling, it is the best.</li><li>Plan your child’s meal before travelling, avoid giving too much of food or oily or spicy food before travelling. Give them plain or simple food like upma or khichdi or daal-rice.</li><li>Candies will provide relief during nausea (vomiting sensation), try to give them ginger candies if available.</li><li>Distract the child or keep them busy talking to them about the trip or play his/her favourite music or sing rhymes together.</li><li>If you are talking a long road trip take medicines prescribed by your paediatrician and take frequent breaks during the long journey.</li><li>If your child gets car sick, immediately stop the car and take them out, walk around, place a cool napkin on child’s head.</li></ul>

Getting car sick is very common in adults as well as among children. If your child has a history getting car sick, it is better to go for other travelling options. If it is completely unavoidable, few measures might help your child feel better.

Caring for car sick children

You can take the following precautions while boarding a bus with a baby: <ul><li>Getting on the bus: Always wear flat and comfortable footwear. Dress your baby in a comfortable dress. While getting on the bus, make sure the bus is at a complete halt. People are always supportive towards women with babies so take help if required but at the same time stay alert about suspicious people.</li><li>Board a bus that is not so crowded: It is risky when there are too many people on the bus. If you aren’t in a hurry you can wait for a bus that's a little less crowded. You or your baby can get hurt or elbowed in a crowded bus and the baby can get cranky seeing too many people around. Put your baby into a harness or strap him/her to your torso.</li><li>Grab a good seat, preferably near window: Usually babies enjoy window seats as they can keep watching live action out of the window, the moving buses, autos, birds, greenery - this all can keep your baby busy .You can keep the glass closed to protect from dirt, dust, smoke and loud noises. Hold your baby firmly when the window is open.</li><li>Stay alert: Yes! Any public transport can be a little tricky one because there are more chances of a woman being molested and groped in a crowded bus. So, stay alert. Raise your voice if you find any suspicious person doing something inappropriate. Preferably sit around families having women and children around. Keep your phone handy. Always stay ready with pepper spray. Trust your guts before trusting anyone else.</li><li>Have something to entertain your baby: Before boarding the bus see that your child is well rested and well fed. Change his diaper so (s)he feels fresh. If your baby is old enough to eat, you can take some dry snacks along like cornflakes or roasted peanuts and popcorn packets, so the baby stays distracted and doesn’t make a fuss. You can carry a picture book if the journey is of long hours or play good music or rhymes. After a short while babies tend to sleep in a moving bus just like elders.</li><li>So don’t worry and board your bus.</li></ul>

It can get difficult to manage young children in a bus but the situation can always be managed.

Travelling with a child in bus

Air travel with kids can be challenging for parents of young children. But, remember they are exploring every time they experience a unique situation they are sure to react.Here are some tricks that can help you to keep your calm and happy during the travel:<ul><li>Some children, even adults experience pain in ears while take off if that is the case with your child give them a glass of warm water and guide them to sip it slowly this will help to reduce the pain. Keep talking to them and never insert ear buds in this situation.</li><li>You can also keep a surprise toy in the hand bag and give them a surprise, this will keep them busy throughout the transit.</li><li>Have some story books with you, read them a story or you can tell them stories about the place you are visiting, people you will meet etc.</li><li>If the child is on breast feed, give them proper just before the flight. If the child is hungry he/she is sure to get cranky due to delayed feedings.</li></ul>

Air travel with kids can be challenging for parents of young children. Be patient with them as they are always on the quest of exploring new things.

Travelling with a child in an airplane

Following measures can be taken to make your travel happy and comfortable: <ul><li>Confirm the train timings: Whether it is going to be late or not. This is to make sure that you won’t have to wait long hours with the baby on the station.</li><li>Carry a fold-able baby cot: Infants usually sleep a lot. So carrying a fold-able baby cot is a wise decision. It occupies less space and you don’t have to carry the child in your lap all through the journey. They too can have a comfortable sleep.</li><li>Carry an extra baby bag: This may seem extra baggage but it’s easy and comfortable to have a separate bag for baby’s belongings. That small bag can include diapers, baby wipes, cream, soft blanket, towels, sanitiser, milk powder, thermos with warm water, hairbrush , a mattress for the cot, feeding bottle, medicines and other such essential things for baby. Don’t forget to put your baby’s favourite toy and a water bottle.</li><li>Medicines: Please carry emergency medicines for fever, colic, stuffy nose, and nausea. Gastric pain is very common in babies so if your baby has been prescribed special medication take it along without fail.</li><li>Comfortable seat: Try and book lower berth so your baby can easily play and there are less chances of falling. Look for any sharp edges or such objects around that can hurt your child while playing.</li><li>Carry your baby’s food: You can prepare his/her favourite food for the journey. Try to keep food light and easy on your child’s stomach.</li><li>Avoid travelling with a baby who is less than 3 months old because they are easily prone to infections.</li></ul>

Travelling by train with a child can be tricky. The key is to be all prepared before boarding the train.

travelling concerns parenting concerns

Parenting issues are a part of the everyday parenting journey. Following article(s) might help you with your concern(s).

Travelling with a child in car

Tips for travelling with a child

Caring for car sick children

Travelling with a child in bus

Travelling with a child in an airplane

Travelling with a child in train

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