| | Traveling with a Newborn
Many adoptive parents find them making their first trip with their new baby to take the baby home, very frequently over long distances. Traveling with a newborn can seem difficult and overwhelming, especially if the placement occurred quite quickly. Knowing what you will need, what paperwork you will have to have in hand, and a few simple tips can ease that journey home, whether you are traveling by car or plane.
Packing for Your Baby
You may well have already shopped for baby and named him or her, or perhaps your placement was rapid, and you do not have anything on hand. What do you critically need to travel with baby? You will need a car seat, if only to transport baby from the hospital to your hotel to the airport. You may want a front pack, like a Baby Bjorn, or an infant sling to free your hands while in the airport. Take a camera to get photos of baby, and if appropriate, the birth mother and her family. Take along several soft and comfortable sleepers or gowns for baby, as well as hats to keep him or her warm enough. While you may want a cute travel outfit for baby, do choose something comfortable, and practical for a car seat. Several receiving blankets are a diaper bag necessity, and you will want to bring along a rather large diaper bag. Most parents will find it easiest to purchase formula once they know what the hospital is feeding baby, and many hospitals send baby home with a supply of formula and newborn diapers.
By Air
Newborns can safely fly, assuming they have been cleared by their physician. You should be certain, particularly if your baby was born early or had health problems, that the doctors feel that airline travel is safe and appropriate. Do buy a seat on the plane for your baby so he or she can travel in a safe and comfortable rear facing infant car seat. Most infant car seats are approved for in flight usage, but checking on this during the shopping process may be a wise choice. If you have not purchased a seat for the baby, check with flight attendants to see if empty seats are available to allow baby to ride in a child safety seat. Newborns will often sleep through a flight, making this a fairly easy trip for the parents.
You will need to bring along a very well stocked carryon bag, especially if you do not expect to have easy access to retail locations. Keep in mind that airlines do lose luggage, and make certain that you can make do with what you have in your carry on luggage. Allow plenty of extra diapers, wipes, formula, and extra changes of clothes, both for baby and parents who may find themselves the victim of spit up or an exploding diaper. Premixed formula may be more convenient than powered for traveling.
By Car
If you are bringing your new baby home by car, make certain that you have an appropriate carseat for baby, and that it is correctly installed in your vehicle. Do expect the trip home to take longer than the one to pick up your new baby, as you may find yourself stopping frequently to feed, change and comfort your new little one. Newborns will often sleep in the car, making the drive less stressful than it might otherwise be.
Pack a suitable diaper bag for your drive, particularly if it is long. You will need formula and bottles, and premixed liquid may be easiest to reduce the challenges and mess of feeding baby. Allow for plenty of diapers, and do carry extra clothes for baby, as well as receiving blankets. Caregivers may find that they need fresh clothes as well, and will appreciate easy access to a clean shirt if baby spits up.
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