Tips on travelling in pregnancy

Many couples choose to go on a ‘mini-moon’ before their baby arrives as a final opportunity to enjoy life as a twosome. This could be a weekend break in the UK or a holiday to a destination which may not be child-friendly. It’s a great opportunity to relax as the excitement and nervous anticipation about your baby’s imminent arrival builds. 

There is no reason why you can’t travel while you are pregnant, unless you have any complications in which case you need to speak to your doctor or midwife. You will need to consider your size and energy levels but it is safe to fly until 36 weeks and to take a ferry until 32 weeks (always check with the individual company).

If you are flying and are over 28 weeks pregnant you may need a fit for travel note from your doctor. It is important to keep moving on the flight and to stay hydrated.

If you are travelling by car it is best to make regular stops as it is important that you keep the blood flowing in your legs. If you are not driving you can do some leg and feet exercises in your seat and make sure you are drinking plenty and eating healthy snacks. If your journey is longer than four hours then you might want to consider wearing compression socks.

Road accidents are the most common cause of injury to pregnant women so try not to do long journeys alone and not to travel when you are tired.

You may need a vaccine if you are travelling to a country with an infectious disease.  Check with your doctor but it is not safe for pregnant women to have live vaccines because the bacteria could harm the baby. Some antimalarials are not safe to take when pregnant in which case you will need to take other precautions such as wearing long sleeves and trousers, using pregnancy-safe repellant and mosquito nets.

Many countries don’t have the same food and water hygiene standards as we do and it’s important you try to avoid stomach upsets and diarrhoea. Some medicines for treating diarrhoea aren’t suitable for pregnancy.

Travelling with a baby

Before six months

This is arguably the best time to travel with your baby. You are unlikely to have started to wean them yet so you don’t need to worry about packing the paraphernalia that goes with feeding solids.

Your baby will also not be ‘on the move’ yet so they will sit in one place which will feel like a distant memory when you’re chasing a crawling child who is putting everything in their mouths and falling on to everything! 

You do not need to buy an aeroplane seat for children under two so this is also worth taking advantage of. However, when they get a bit older consider the length of the flight because wrestling a wiggly toddler on your lap for four hours is not much fun for anyone!

Driving

Driving for a holiday or short break can be the least stressful way of travelling with a baby. You can plan your stops and feeds, pack up as much stuff as you like and leave at a time which coincides with your baby’s nap time.

If you are travelling with a young baby in a car seat the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents recommends taking at least a 15-minute break every two hours.

If you are hiring a car abroad you will need to make sure you also hire an age-appropriate car seat. It is possible to take your car seat with you on planes but they are heavy to carry.

Vaccinations

If you are travelling to a destination which requires vaccinations make sure you speak to a health professional before you go. Your baby may be too young to receive a vaccination for the disease so there may be other precautions you’ll need to take.

The NHS Fit for Travel service advises parents not to take their young children to malarious areas and to be aware of the risk of mosquito bites.

Food and water hygiene

Always check if the tap water is safe to drink and if in doubt drink bottled water. If you are worried you won’t be able to find good supplies of bottled water then take some sterilising tablets with you such as Milton Sterilising Tablets. You will need a container to use them with.

You can also boil water for drinking and for formula milk. Don’t let you baby become dehydrated and seek medical help if your child has a high fever, severe diarrhoea or severe abdominal pain.

If you are weaning your baby or have fully moved on to solids you may want to take some of your own pre-packaged foods with you. Pouches of meals can work well as they are easy to pack, can be given while you’re on the go and you don’t have to use a bowl.

Sun safety

Babies are more vulnerable to sunburn and dehydration in hot climates. Make sure you use a high sunscreen which also has high UVA protection. Keep your child covered up with a hat and long sleeves and keep them in the shade and indoors during the hottest time of day between 11am and 3pm.

Medical services

Research how to access emergency medical treatment while abroad and try to find out about the health care facilities before you go. Hotels and tour companies will be able to help you find local services.

As with everything else to do with parenting the key to making things easier on holiday is to try to be organised. Do you research before you go, make lists of things you need to buy and pack and make sure it’s all there. Print off key documents, information and make sure you child is included in your travel insurance policies.

:: Find out more at https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/

:: Read our blog about flying when pregnant or with a baby