Summary:
The thought of a long journey with a small baby often fills new parents with apprehension.These guidelines on choice of travel will help to decide which form of transport to decide on to turn the experience from a chore to a pleasure.

Details or Sample:
There comes a time when all new parents are faced with the challenge of taking their new baby on holiday. It may be planning a trip to a far-flung destination, or just a long weekend to stay with the new grandparents. The prospect of a journey, be it by plane, boat or train can seem daunting... even frightening.

But with careful planning, travelling with a three to six month old can be one of the easier challenges of parenthood. Babies of this age are surprisingly adaptable travelling companions. Their needs, apart from regular feeding and changing,are simple. The big advantage is they will be sleeping a lot so they don´t need entertaining. That will come later. For now you have a few short months when you can travel, if not lightly, then at least (with a little forward planning) fairly peacefully.

The first thing to consider is the method of transport. You have a third person in your lives now, and that is going to be quite a different ball game from the days when you could book a last-minute deal, pack a rucksack and take off. Unfortunately the words ´last minute´ and ´babies´ don´t sit easily together. So before you decide where you are going, maybe it´s best to consider firstly the travel options and their ease of use for parent and baby. From 3 months onwards babies don´t travel light, and this has to be a major consideration.

If you are planning a holiday only a few hours drive from home, a car is by far the best option. From a few weeks old to six months, car travel is bliss. The motion of a car has a soothing effect on babies, so if you organise your journey properly baby will sleep blissfully for a large part of the time. If you´re planning a long drive it may be advisable to hit the road as soon as baby settles after his pre-dawn feed. After the routine feed-and-change, instead of putting him back in his cot,quietly fasten him into the car cot or seat and he will drop off to sleep as if nothing unusual has happened. Then you can drive happily for a few hours before the traffic builds up. It´s a good idea to stop for a break every 2 hours or so for a cup of coffee and a nappy change if necessary......... a tired driver is a careless one,and a clean, well fed baby is a quiet one so the break is good for both of you. Remember to pack a bag with everything you´re liable to need...bottles, wipes, nappies, a change of clothes... and keep it in the car. In hot weather keep a packet of baby wipes, or bottle of mineral water and a face flannel in an insulated freezer box to refresh a hot, sticky baby (and a hot sticky, driver). Don´t forget a window sun-shield either, ideally one that allows you to open a rear window. Baby can´t tell you if he´s getting overheated so do keep checking on him in hot conditions. Always leave in good time and make sure you have breakdown cover. You may not have bothered in the past, but the last thing you want is to be stranded on the hard shoulder of a motorway with a tiny baby.

Trains are also a good method of transport for babies, with the added advantage that you are able to move around and pay more attention to baby´s needs. The same things apply as for car travel. Pack a baby bag with everything you´re likely to need en-route. Include a changing mat if possible, as train toilets may not have changing facilities and you might have to resort to using the table in the compartment. Reserve your seats for a less stressful departure.

Coach travel, although cheaper, isn´t a good option. The seating is tight, there will be little or no facilities for feeding or changing and you will be feeling cramped and tired after a couple of hours.

Ferry travel is simplicity itself. As long as you remember to bring absolutely everything

Purchase this content for your website...

Pricing:
Usage:	$40	[Add to Cart]
Unique:	$60	[Add to Cart]
Full Rights:	$80	[Add to Cart]

Downloads: 0
Written by: Libera
Available File Types:Text
Words: 1400