How to travel with a few weeks old baby?

The holidays are upon us and the  Italian Society of Neonatology (SIN) through Dr. Marcello Lanari explains what precautions to take when traveling with a few weeks old baby

How to choose the holiday destination? Which means of transport is preferable to use? And how should the child be managed on vacation?

You can take a baby on holiday no earlier than 10 days after birth, in fact during these days the baby must be monitored for the start of breastfeeding, for weight loss and for the possible onset of jaundice.

Car, train or plane?

By car you can travel safely the important thing is to pay attention to:

• correct use of the  car seat which must be approved according to European legislation, fixed to the seat according to the instructions and rear-facing as long as the child weighs less than 9 kg. It is forbidden to place it on the front seat due to the dangerous effects of the airbag. The safest place is the central rear seat because it is more sheltered in the event of a side or frontal impact.
  If you have to buy a child seat, remember that they must be marked with the initials ECE   R129 or ECE R44-03.
• passenger compartment temperature : travel during the coolest hours of the day, remembering to park your car in the shade at rest stops. The air conditioning must be kept at temperatures no lower than 22-23 degrees to avoid excessive changes in temperature with the outside.
• remember to make stops every 2 hours of travel and NEVER leave the child alone in the car .

Traveling by train can be an alternative to the car, the child can travel on the mother’s lap.

For air travel (it is important to contact the company before booking the flight for the instructions to follow) remember that the child is subjected to sudden changes in temperature and pressure. Air travel also puts your child at greater risk of respiratory infections.

If you take a plane, remember to frequently attach the baby to the breast so that the suction prevents atmospheric depression from being created in the middle ear during take-off and landing, which could cause him pain (as happens to us too) .

Where to go with a newborn?

You can indifferently choose to go to the sea, to the mountains, to the countryside or to the lake. The important thing is that suitable climatic conditions are guaranteed for the newborn.

If you are at the   beach you can go out in the cooler hours. The child should never be exposed directly to the sun’s rays, especially during the hottest hours of the day (which are approximately between 11 and 16-17). The newborn is at risk of dehydration when temperatures are high. You can notice it because he pees little, has dry mucous membranes, the anterior fontanelle is subsided, becomes agitated or sleepy excessively and sometimes has altered body temperature.

Breastfeeding satisfies all the needs for the baby’s hydroelectric balance and therefore no other liquids or even water should be administered . If he is agitated or you think he is thirsty, offer him the breast more frequently. When choosing the location, avoid both places that are too isolated and places that are too busy and make sure that they are served by a pediatrician. There are many child-friendly beaches that are the best choice for a beach holiday.

In the mountains high altitudes (above 2000-2500 meters above sea level) should be avoided and it is advisable to stay there for sufficiently long periods so that the child can adapt to changes in altitude and atmospheric pressure.

To avoid with babies of a few weeks of life too long walks that do not allow him to lie comfortably in the pram.

Whatever the destination, pay attention to insects such as mosquitoes and sandflies, try to guarantee the child the correct protection against these parasites, some of which can be carriers of serious diseases.

What precautions to take?

When you arrive in a tourist resort, first of all try to understand where the pharmacy, the pediatric emergency room and everything that could be useful for the safety of your holidays is located.

• Check that everything is suitable for children, even the temperature of the rooms.
• Check the air conditioner and have the filters cleaned or clean them yourself before turning it on.
• The room temperature should not be much lower than outside and never lower than 22-23 degrees.
• Do not let the child be exposed directly to the air from the air conditioner and do not reduce the humidity excessively.
• Frequently ventilate the rooms where you stay

The SIN also recommends planning holidays by carefully evaluating the times for mandatory vaccinations, thus avoiding delaying the dates indicated too much and respecting the relative deadlines.

How to dress the baby?

In the heat:

• light and light clothing, of natural fibers, which leave the arms and legs uncovered.
• wide-brimmed hat
• knit sweater to protect it from the humidity of the evening hours

Must not be missing in your suitcase:

• diapers
• wipes
• bibs
• antiseptic cleaners to clean anything that comes in contact with the baby
• saline solution for the nostrils
• ointments against skin redness,
• antipyretic (paracetamol drops), but never take initiatives: only the neonatologist/pediatrician is able to prescribe medicines to a few weeks old baby and must therefore always be consulted. It may be useful to discuss with him even before departure, for any further advice on the management of the baby.
• To protect the skin: even if the child should not be exposed to direct sunlight, a suitable protective cream should be used for uncovered areas, ask your pharmacist for advice
• Finally, against insect bites, small stoves emanating potentially toxic substances are not recommended, and repellent products to be sprayed on the skin should be avoided (the most effective ones, which contain DEET, are contraindicated up to 12 years of age). Perfumed substances should also be avoided, because they can be a strong attraction for insects. The most correct prevention, especially in the evening, is done with barrier methods, such as mosquito nets placed on cots, prams and possibly also on the windows . In principle, however, it is preferable to avoid areas where there are many insects, such as lake or tropical locations.