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Baby Care
Travel
Safe travel with a young baby needs careful planning, a bag full of essentials and the right equipment, properly installed. If you are well organised it doesn't have to be a logistic nightmare and you and your baby can travel with the minimum of fuss.
Car Safety
If you have given birth in hospital you will need to have a car seat installed in your car for the trip back home. This is not something you want to do in a hospital car park so make sure whoever is collecting you has done this in advance!
Do not buy a second-hand car seat.
If airbags are fitted do not put the baby on the front passenger seat.
It is illegal for a baby to be in the front passenger seat without appropriate restraint.
Small babies should have headhuggers in their seats to support their necks.
A baby should not sit in a car seat for more than 20-30 minutes, as their back muscles are not fully developed
Air Travel
If you need to take a plane with a small baby make sure you contact the airline in advance and let them know. If you are taking a long haul flight most airlines will give you a bulkhead seat where a travel cot can be installed.
It's worth noting that not all airlines have these facilities and others may only have a couple so book well in advance.
Before you go check with your GP or travel clinic to see if your baby needs any extra immunisations and do this well in advance.
Bring several changes of clothes for your baby as well as a good supply of nappies.
As you take-off, land or experience any change in altitude offer your baby a feed as the swallowing action helps ears to equalise. Take off and landing can be uncomfortable for your baby, however breastfeeding or giving them a bottle will help. If you are not breastfeeding be sure to take several made up bottles with you.
Close the air vent above your seats to prevent draughts and stop recycled air being blown into your baby's face.
Once in the air, walking up and down the aisle with an unsettled baby is probably less of a problem to other passengers than if she is inconsolable for hours.
Remember to take a few toys for the flight that will help keep her amused and perhaps keep some paracetamol liquid to hand in case she is unwell during the journey.
When you reach your destination your baby may have developed a cold due to the circulating germs from the recycled air in flight, however many babies are fine. Also, do not be surprised if her routine is out of sync and takes a few days to adjust.
