Pregnancy is the last time (at least for quite a while) you will have a chance to travel by yourself or just with your partner. Planning a trip mid-pregnancy can be a great way to celebrate the occasion of your impending parenthood. But it can also lead to questions about safe travel for the mom-to-be.

If you do not have any complications, travel during pregnancy is typically just fine. The best place to start your planning is to ask your healthcare provider if you have any risk factors that would limit your ability to travel. Let your provider know if you plan to travel by car or by air, as this may make a difference in his or her recommendations.

If you are planning to fly somewhere, consider these travel tips for pregnancy:

• Most airlines let women fly up to 35 or 36 weeks of pregnancy, but be sure to check before you purchase your tickets. Your destination – domestic or international – might make a difference, too.
• Avoid nonstop overseas or cross-country flights. These high-altitude flights can increase your heart rate, as well as your baby’s, and cause both of you to receive less oxygen.
• If swelling has been a problem, wear loose-fitting shoes and clothes. Consider not wearing pantyhose, knee socks or anything with a tight waistline.
• Find out if a meal will be served, and if there are options for pregnant moms. Bring along nutritious snacks, especially if the flight is long.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout your trip.
• Try to walk as often as you can during your flight, at least every hour. Sometimes just standing up helps your circulation, and your comfort level.
• Try to get an aisle seat, close to the bathroom – especially important for pregnant moms!

If you are traveling by car (or bus or train), here are some things to consider:

• Always wear your seatbelt. Seat belts do not increase the risk of injury to you or your baby, but actually protect you both. Wear the lap portion across your hips and under your belly, and the shoulder portion across your chest.
• If you are in an automobile, move your seat back so you have at least 10 inches between your body and the airbag.
• If possible, share the driving time with your partner or other travel companion.
• Stop frequently to stretch and use the restroom. This will help with your circulation, and can keep your back from hurting from long periods of sitting.
• Dress comfortably. You want clothes that don’t constrict – including socks!

The biggest risk of traveling during pregnancy – and probably your biggest worry – is developing a problem while you’re away from those who know your medical and pregnancy history. It’s common to feel that way, but don’t make it your deciding factor. Take time to plan your trip with pregnancy in mind, be sure you don’t try to do too much while you’re there, and then relax and enjoy yourself!

Zika virus alert: Zika is a virus spread by mosquitos that typically causes a mild and short-lived infection. The Zika virus can, however, cause very serious birth defects if your fetus is exposed. If you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant, health experts recommend postponing any non-essential travel to areas of the world where Zika virus is prevalent. Zika has been found in Central and South America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, a number of Pacific island countries, and several countries in Africa. In the US, Zika has been found in Florida. If you’re planning to travel to one of these areas, speak with your healthcare provider about the best way to protect yourself and your unborn baby.

Written by Team Health & Parenting

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

When my daughter was 5-weeks-old, my husband had a conference to attend and I had decided to go with him. We dropped the preschoolers off at grandma’s house, and took baby along. It was probably one of the easiest trips I’ve ever taken – even though we had a short layover and needed to change planes.

Just because you’ve got a little one doesn’t mean you need to stop enjoying the world. Babies are pretty portable, and they tend to enjoy anywhere you are. It doesn’t need to be a trip to Disney World yet – it can be a visit to your friends in another city. Traveling with a baby simply takes some additional planning – especially when you’re flying.

Give yourself lots of extra time for security, baggage checking, and getting to your gate. Flying overnight – or at naptime – can be helpful. Your baby may sleep through the whole thing! Dress your baby and yourself in layers and be sure you wear comfortable shoes.

Packing:

While you may have been able to get along with just a carry-on for past trips, you’ll likely have checked luggage on this trip. Take advantage of curbside luggage check-in, if available. Know ahead what counts as a carry-on. You may have a diaper bag, purse, stroller, car seat and small suitcase, and you don’t want to be caught off guard at the gate.

Wearing your baby in a sling or soft carrier may make maneuvering in the airport much easier than trying to do so with a stroller. You’ll have both hands free to steer the luggage. If you bring the stroller, you may end up using it as a luggage cart! Know your airline’s policies for gate checking larger items.

Pack extras of everything – you never know when flights will change due to weather or other issues. Being stuck in an airport without diapers and wipes will be a challenge, so make sure you have plenty.

Check with your airline:

Will you be purchasing and extra seat so you can bring baby’s car seat? Or will the airline allow you to hold your baby? Are there regulations for size you need to take into account? Even though it’s one more bulky thing to carry, a child safety seat may be better than keeping your baby in arms throughout the flight. You’ll have more mobility, and you will have a little more space.

Some airlines have priority boarding for families, but some don’t. It’s helpful to know ahead of time. Getting your baby settled and all your stuff stowed before other passengers start to board can relieve a lot of stress. You’ll also want to keep baby safe as others are placing their belongings in the overhead bins.

Choose your seat ahead if you can. If you’re bringing a safety seat, airlines may have restrictions on where these can be placed (not in a row with emergency exits, for instance). Bulkhead seats also tend to be a little roomier and a little more private (your baby won’t be bothering anyone in front of you).

Check your airline’s website for additional information about their policies – for example, will you need to bring baby’s birth certificate? Will you need a boarding pass for baby?

On your flight:

If you’re breastfeeding, you may want to nurse your baby during take off and landing. The sucking helps to help with the pressure build-up in baby’s ears, and will keep him calm (and quiet). A pacifier or bottle will work, too.

Depending on the length of your flight and your baby’s age, you may need to pack some toys to keep baby busy. Consider buying one or two new toys that baby has never seen before – the wonder of exploring something new may keep baby busy longer. Even a Baby Einstein video downloaded to your tablet can be a life-saver on a long plane ride.

Have you traveled with a baby? What tips do you have for other parents?

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

One of the great things about breastfeeding is that you typically don’t need lots of stuff in order to do it. Your baby and your own body – that’s all you really need. No bottles, formula, looking for water, mixing, warming, cleaning. Breastmilk is sterile, always ready and at just the right temperature. This makes breastfed babies very portable, and makes traveling with one pretty simple (at least the feeding part).

No matter how you’re traveling, be sure to wear comfortable clothes. Two-piece outfits – so you can easily lift your top to nurse – are essential. You might even want to invest in a couple of nursing tops to help you feel comfortable. A cardigan or other layering, like a scarf, can give you some added privacy if you’re shy about nursing in public.

If you’re flying:

• Pack extra clothes and diapers in your carryon just in case your luggage is delayed (this is true whether your baby is breastfed or not!)
• Pack extra water for yourself – airplanes can be pretty dry and you don’t want to get dehydrated.
• Nursing your baby as your plane is taking off and as it’s landing can help relieve some of the discomfort your baby may feel with the pressure change.
• Carrying baby in a sling or wrap is helpful in crowded airports (though you’ll need a car seat for on the plane).
• Window seats may give a little more privacy and bulkhead seats offer more legroom – so you may want to consider that when booking your flight.
• You may want to talk to the flight attendants as you’re boarding – just to let them know you plan of feeding your baby in flight – and check the airline’s policies ahead of your trip.

If you’re traveling by car:

• Plan for plenty of stops to feed and change baby.
• Find a place to safely stop before removing him from his car seat. As much as you may want to try maneuvering yourself to nurse him while your partner continues driving, it’s essential to take the extra time to stop.
• You might consider planning long stretches of driving during the night or during baby’s regular nap times.
• The motion of the car may lull baby to sleep – if your baby is very young, you may need to stop to wake baby to nurse.

It’s not unusual for baby’s schedule to change when traveling. All the excitement, overstimulation, and schedule disruption may take some adaptation on your part. Don’t forget babies get jet lagged, too. Allow extra time for adjustments.

Pay attention to your own hunger and thirst cues, as well as your need for rest. Allow plenty of time to get from one place to another – traveling with children always takes more time than you think it will.

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.