Friday, 29th March 2024
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Traveling with the Baby

Having babies in foreign countries is becoming so popular in Nigeria. Everyone wants their babies to have blue passports for various reasons. Dual citizenship, better health care, easy access to grants and scholarships when they get into college, more affordable college fees or just going with the flow, I think it is a great investment…

Having babies in foreign countries is becoming so popular in Nigeria. Everyone wants their babies to have blue passports for various reasons. Dual citizenship, better health care, easy access to grants and scholarships when they get into college, more affordable college fees or just going with the flow, I think it is a great investment and if you have the means please do not hesitate to go for it!

“Hectic”, “stressful”, “exhausting” were the common adjectives used to describe the journey back home. Some mums even say it is the toughest part of their “baby abroad” sojourn. Most people pack a lot of unnecessary items and get little or no help at the airport. You need to travel as light as possible especially if you are travelling alone with your baby. So here’s a list of essential items you would need for your flight back to Nigeria (trust me, you do not need anything else).

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  • Baby Carrier/Sling: If you are coming back home alone, you need to wear your baby. Putting baby in a stroller will not cut it. You need your hands!
  • Bibs and Burp clothes: You really don’t want milk all over your outfit.
  • Blanket: Airplanes can get very cold and you would not want to use a blanket provided by the airline. We are not very sure how clean their blankets are and we hav e to keep the germs with the adults.
  • Books: High contrasting colours fascinate babies. So a book like the one pictured below will be perfect to keep the little one occupied. You could also print out black and white images online. Does the same job.
  • Bottles and formula: For non breast-feeding moms. Get a couple of ready to feed formulas and you are good to go!
  • Breast Pad/Nursing cover: For breast-feeding moms.
  • Changing Station: Diaper bags will usually come with a changing station. If yours doesn’t please do not forget to get one. You do not want to change your baby on a cold and perhaps filthy surface on the plane.
  • Diaper Bag: Half of the things listed go into the diaper bag, the other half goes into your hand luggage.
  • Diapers: You can never have enough diapers and you should always pack twice as much as you think you need. I took 20 diapers for my 14-hour journey but I did not use them all. However, but my baby had two poop explosions and I had two use 4 diapers in less than 10 minutes. Imagine I just took the right amount I assumed I needed.
  • Oils, Lotions and Sanitizers: Do not forget to put them in the recommended liquid sizes for carry-ons (100ml)
  • Scented bags: For soiled diapers and to put babies dirty laundry.
  • Sleep suits and Onesies: Preferably ones with zips so it’s easy to take off for cloth change or diaper change. Believe me, your seat on a flight (business class or not) is A LOT smaller when you have a baby. You need to have your L.O (little one) in comfortable gear.
  • Toys and pacifier: Toys are an awesome way to distract your baby on a flight. Pacifiers are also great (if your baby takes them). Doctors recommend that you feed your baby during takeoff and landing because swallowing helps with getting the cabin pressure out of their ears. If your baby had just eating, a pacifier will be perfect for helping them swallow.
  • Wipes: Just take the entire box. You use wipes for everything. Wipe baby’s hands, bum, face, everything!

 

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