Mustela. The skin care specialist for babies and mothers-to-be.
Going on holiday with your baby
Introduction
Where to take your baby?
Travelling with your baby needs to be planned in every detail
The seaside: invigorating air and a wonderful playground!
Your baby's suitcase: have you got everything?
Travelling with your baby needs to be planned in every detail
IN THE CAR
A car seat is essential
• For your baby’s comfort and safety, use a car seat appropriate for their age, and fit it in the rear of the car. For newborns, a rear-facing seat with protective netting on top is essential.
• Follow the user instructions carefully, to ensure your baby travels in complete safety. In all cases, use a system that is approved by European legislation (CE marking).
Choose your departure time carefully
• Where possible, travel the day before or day after a day that is known to be busy, so that you avoid traffic jams.
• Travel at night if possible, while your child is sleeping peacefully.
• In summer, plan your departure for early morning to avoid the heat, dress your baby in light clothing and don’t forget to put sunshades on the windows to protect your baby.
For your baby’s comfort
• Keep a case handy with any toiletries you might need during the journey, plus diapers and a spare set of clothes.
• Before you leave, check which motorway service stops have baby changing facilities.
Restful travel
• It's difficult for a very young child to stay quiet during a long car journey... Having an adult in the back can help to keep them calm.
• Before you leave, check which motorway service stops on your route have children’s play areas or summer activities.
• Take a proper break every two hours to let your children get some fresh air and stretch their legs!
• Think about installing a net behind the driver and passenger seats so that your children can have access to everything they need during the journey: drinks, toys, biscuits, etc.
Pediatric nurse’s advice
Be careful about sunstroke!
• In the summer, the temperature inside the car can rise rapidly. A baby dehydrates very quickly, so to avoid sunstroke, you must offer drinks regularly, in small quantities.
• You can also refresh them by regularly spraying water on their face.
FLYING
• On an aeroplane, children under two must be held in the arms of an adult during take-off and landing. A seatbelt is specifically provided for this purpose by the cabin crew.
For your baby’s comfort
• Take care of your baby's eardrums: when taking off and landing, swallowing helps to regulate pressure in the ears. To prevent your baby suffering, give him a breastfeed or bottle.
• Most companies offer meals suitable for babies and children. Think about asking for these when you book!
• Some airline companies really look after little ones with crayons, colouring and magazines... everything to ensure your children have an enjoyable trip! Ask your travel agency for more information...
ON THE TRAIN
• Provided you are comfortably seated, travelling by train is less tiring than driving, both for you and your baby.
• Book your train seats in advance, and ask for a family section with 4 seats facing each other, near a children’s area.
• Travel light! If you are taking several children, don’t hesitate to use a luggage service. Ask for information about the services on offer from the train company.
Pediatric nurse’s advice
• The air-conditioning inside aeroplanes and trains can accelerate dehydration of your baby. To counteract this, offer drinks frequently.
• Don’t forget to put a few drops of physiological serum in your baby’s eyes during the journey, to stop them getting dry.
• You may also need a little cardigan to stop your baby getting cold.