Out & About: Travelling and Everyday Essentials

When you are a new parent, there is a lot to learn. Lachlan continues to teach me things that I never learned while completing my degree. Like many moms, my husband and I also learn by trial and error. Today I was thinking about the first family trip we took with Lachlan. He was about seven weeks old and my husband thought it would be nice to surprise me with a getaway for my birthday. I was more then up for it as I was eager to get out of the house and to have a reason to wear some different clothes. For the past seven weeks I had been sporting around sweat pants and shirts that smelled like curdled milk. Let's not even get started on the hair. Let's just say that it looked like Amy Winehouse and I shared the same stylist. I was in need of some sprucing up and a trip out to Australian wine country was something to get me motivated to do so.

I remember my husband and I packing the night before we were to head out. Our suitcase was easy, after all it was only a long weekend getaway so we didn't need much; a few jumpers, pairs of jeans, our toiletries bag and we were all set. Packing Lachlan's bag, on the other hand, was a huge challenge. I've travelled with babies many times, but never was responsible for planning their bag. My mind began to race with all the possible things that could pose a problem; spit ups or vomit-requiring extra clothes; nappy leaks at night, needing extra bedding and bassinet protector. I should take an extra set of those right? Oh, better make it three sets just in case. What if he got sick, I thought...I threw in the thermometer and panadol. The list grew and grew: his own toiletries, hats, mittens, extra muslin clothes, nappy rash cream, baby books, rattles, his favorite toy, Mortimer the Moose. I of course couldn't forget his pacifier. Hmmm...what if it falls on the ground and I can't wash it? Better pack an extra one...Before you knew it, Lachlan had more luggage than the Queen of England, stacked up next to the door casting a shadow over me and my husband's tiny duffel bag. Better safe then sorry, we thought.

We learned our lesson on that first family vacation. We didn't even use one quarter of what we packed. It was a good practice run for the international trip we were to take 3 months later. We learned what items were of high priority and which we could do without. When flying internationally, it is best to do it with as little luggage as possible. I thought about the various items that I could share with Lachlan; such as body wash and lotion. His body lotion/balm also acts as a nappy rash cream so there was no need to double up on the same items. I also thought about how much we will be out and about during the trip. A few of his favourite toys for the flights and a palm sized board book would be plenty for our month long trip. After all, a baby is more interested in their new surroundings than anything else; that was the case with Lachlan, he didn't have much time to sit and play during our vacation as he was generally sleeping on flights the whole time, observing new people and listening to unusual sounds. The fact of the matter is we also do a lot of shopping when we travel, so we knew that we would end up buying him new clothes and new toys, eliminating the need to over pack. I limited his packing to a very small carry-on suitcase, and to be honest I didn't even use half of what I packed in there either! Like I said, the process will take a bit of trial and error, because every bub is different, but here are a few helpful ideas when out and about. At the bottom are some of Lachlan's favourite things!

Travelling Tips

• Try to share the same toiletries: shampoo, lotion, body wash, etc. This will make more space then packing products just for baby and those just for yourself.
• Limit toys to a few different items. For example; avoid packing two stuffed toys and two different rattles. Pack one of each.
• If possible, pack toys that have multiple functions, such as; a toy that serves as a teether but also rattles or crinkles.
• Think about where you are staying.
• If extra bedding is provided you could easily use it for your baby. For example, standard pillow cases make excellent bassinet covers if needed.
• Is there a laundry facility to wash clothes and bedding?
• Do family or friends in the area have an extra stroller/pram, car seat, toys, crib or pack-n-play and clothes for my baby to use if needed.
• Do taxi companies and car rental services provide car seats?
• Can the hotel provide a crib or bed safety rails to use?
• If you use cloth nappies, as we do, you might want to consider using disposables just for travelling to save space, especially if you do not have access to frequent laundry facilities. They do sell bio-degradable nappies you could use instead.
• Bring extra clothes for the flight for bub and yourself. It is not fun to have your bub's leaky nappy all over your white pants. I know from experience!

Everyday Nappy Bag Essentials

• Nappies and wipes, of course!
• Wet Bag for cloth nappies and/or soiled clothes.
• Instant Hand Sanitiser
• Breast Pads, if breast feeding
• Wash cloth or burp rag
• Extra clothes for bub, spare shirt for you.
• Sun Hat
  
• Baby Leg Warmers: These are wonderful for cold flights and restuarants when out and about. They also can go on the arms. Great in the summer when you don't want to pack a pair of long pants and jumper, just in case you need them.Warmers are small and compact.
• Forehead strip thermometers are handy to have in the nappy bag and save lots of space and cheaper to replace is lost.
• Pacifier and Pacifier clip- very handy when out in public. If baby spits out pacifier the string will prevent it from falling on the dirty ground. Wonderful for public transportastion travel.
• Meal-time: baby food, eating untensils, container with lid, bib.
• A few easily washable toys, including a small book.

Stroller/Pram Basket Items

• Small Blanket or Towel- when you are going for a walk and would like to stop you can have a nice place to sit with your bub to feed, people watch, touch the grass or lie down under a tree and watch the leaves sway in the wind.
• Bottle of water for yourself and for bub, (if applicable)
• Bubbles- I love to have bubbles handy for occasions when Lachlan is loosing interest in his new surroundings. They are fascinating and great to use at the park. They are also great to keep toddlers and older children occupied.
• A couple clothes pins- helpful if you are using a cloth to cover your pram to make shade. It will keep it secure when windy. When Lachlan was a newborn I would use it to pin up big leaves that I might find while walking for him to look at. He loved watching it move while hanging from the pram canopy.
• Link Rings- use a link ring to attach a toy or teether to bub's harness shoulder strap. The toy can still move freely up and down the strap so he can chew it, but won't fall out of the stroller.
• Sunscreen for summer
  
• Dog Owner?- poo baggies and portable water dish. Don't allow yourself to be embarrassed if walking your dog and he decides to leave a present in your neighbours yard! Plus there is a fine in most towns if you don't pick up after your dog and it is just polite!

When going out and about for a walk outside avoid automatically give your child a toy to play with. I often see parents out with their children and their prams are decorated like an amusement park. The main idea of going for a walk with bub should be to get him out of the house and into a more interesting environment that will stimulate him. It is a nice change of pace and sometimes some new scenery is just the thing to get a bored bub into a good mood. He shouldn't need any toys in his pram if he is interested in his surroundings. It is an important learning experience. He will observe various people, hear many sounds and pick up different smells. It is his first glimpse at how the 'real world' functions. The stroller provides a safe haven for him to be an observer, teaching him social skills to use for when he becomes an active participant. Of course if your bub becomes overwhelmed, a toy can be used to distract him or you can drape a muslin cloth over his stroller to reduce the stimuli in hopes that he can relax.

Lachlan's Favourites:

• Baby Legs
• UV Natural Baby Sunscreen (non-nano particles)
• Pumpkin Patch Sunglasses 
• Protect-a- Bub Sunshade Deluxe
• Nuby Wash or Toss, BPA- Free Travel Set