How soon can you start travelling after having a baby? Many women travel to their hometowns to deliver their babies and would like to return to their city or country as soon as possible. This need is quite common among women who live abroad. They get back home, have the baby, and prefer to go back at the earliest. Now, when can they do this? How soon is too soon?
In general, it is not safe to travel soon after childbirth. Both mother and baby are vulnerable and can get infected very easily. The baby’s immune system is still immature and is prone to infections and diseases. Similarly, a new mother’s body and immune system take a hit during childbirth and need time to recover enough to start fighting infections effectively.
It is best to consult your healthcare provider regarding your travel plans. They can advise you when it is safe to travel and the necessary precautions to take. With sufficient preparations and precautions, travel can be safer.
Even if you had an easy delivery and are feeling perfectly fine, it is advisable to wait for a few weeks before you travel with your newborn. Some reasons are:
● Your body needs time to heal. It has gone through a lot and, though not visible, will need time to recover before taking up the challenge of travelling.
● In the case of air travel, premature babies can struggle with the change in oxygen pressure in air cabins.
● Air travel increases the risk of contracting infections as the exposure is very high.
● The temperature on flights can be very low for a baby. Babies cannot regulate body temperature as well as adults and can feel cold very easily.
● In case of an emergency or complication with the baby, you must wait hours before reaching a suitable hospital to handle the baby.
First, let’s understand what the various risks and challenges involved are when you want to travel soon after childbirth:
● Our surroundings are filled with infection-causing pathogens and can easily affect both mother and baby.
● Be it any mode of transport, the environment is not controlled like your own room in the hospital or home.
● Breastfeeding a newborn on the go can be very challenging, especially if the baby is still learning to latch, has reflux issues, or the mother has healing sutures.
● Burping a baby after breastfeeding on the go can be pretty tricky.
● Changing diapers on the move can be challenging. Toilets in trains and planes are not big enough or equipped enough for a smooth experience. You cannot get extra hands to help you either.
Once your doctor approves travelling after childbirth, you can follow these tips to ensure safe and comfortable travel for both you and the baby:
With a new baby, it can be confusing to pack your luggage. Pack only essential things. Avoid packing items you can buy from stores on your arrival. Avoid stocking too much, as it can make your bags heavy. You will need to handle your luggage in some places; the lighter they are, the better for you. Ensure you pack all your papers and medical records and keep them easily accessible.
While using a pram is the best option for a new mother, wearing your baby will be easier. You can avoid the hassle of folding and putting the pram through checking, pushing the pram up the slopes, or manoeuvring through the crowds. When you wear the baby, going through body scans, physical checks, getting into the plane, train, or bus can all be much easier.
Be it a plane, train, or bus, choose seats with sufficient legroom and have easy access to the toilets. This does not mean you should choose the last seat, as it can be very uncomfortable. The take-off and landing will feel stronger, and people will keep coming to use the toilet, which can disturb the baby.
Always travel with someone to help you. Handling the baby and the luggage all by yourself soon after delivery can be too much for the body to take. If you travel alone due to a lack of options, you can always ask people around you to help. If you are flying alone, you can inform the airlines ahead and ask them to help you. They will usually do it for free or a small charge.
It can be very tiring to travel soon after childbirth. Being your first travel with the baby, it can be quite overwhelming too. Stay vigilant and keep your ears open for all announcements so you don’t miss boarding calls or gate change information.
The pressure on the ears during take-off and landing can be very uncomfortable and painful for the baby. Sucking and swallowing will help keep the pressure low on their ear drums. Breastfeeding or feeding through a bottle can help if your baby is not asleep during these times.
If you are flying with your newborn, choose flights with layovers instead of one long flight. It may take longer overall, but you and your baby will get a break from travel and the air pressure. You will also get to stretch your legs, use the toilet, and change the baby’s diaper more comfortably. Choosing flights with layover removes the need to check—out your baggage and check them in again.
Despite all the careful planning, certain things will not go your way. Be mentally prepared for such changes in plans, and do not panic. Stressing over small issues will only make it harder for you to handle the rest of your journey. Always think of the next best option instead of worrying about what went wrong.
Travelling soon after childbirth is generally not very safe for both mother and baby. However, some women may have to travel due to various reasons. In such cases, it is advisable to consult the doctor and ensure both are strong enough to travel. Taking all precautions and being well-prepared can make the trip less stressful.
