Diapers On Board

One of the best parts of parenthood is discovering the world through a child’s eyes. Annabelle D’Costa has tips to keep you all happy and safe through the ride.

At six-and-a-half months of age, Rukmini and Rudra Karandikar set out on their first trip. Ever since then, they have collected stamps on their passports from trips to Austria, Bhutan, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Malaysia and Singapore.Parents, Supriya and Tejas, bitten by the travel bug themselves, passed it on to these tiny tots.

Today, the five-year-olds pack their own backpacks. Supriya admits that travelling with the twins wasn’t always this easy. Being stranded once at the Delhi airport with the eight-month old twins, heavy baggage and no sustenance taught her a valuable lesson—travel light and always keep a supply of handy food, such as fruits. Here are a few other things for you to keep in mind.

A Advance booking

Inform your agent or the airline beforehand that you will be travelling with an infant. Ask for a window seat as it will help comfort your child in case he or she begins to bawl. If you can, do book an extra seat for your child.

B Be prepared

Make sure you have proof of age, such as a birth certificate or a passport, if your baby is below two. Dr Dinal Vora Mehta, a Mumbai-based psychiatrist and counsellor, says, “A copy of your child’s last doctor’s visit, specifying the vaccines administered, comes handy in case they fall sick later. An up-to-date record of your child’s immunisation will tell the doctor what shots your child has already received.

C Carrier to the rescue

Using a carrier lets you freely chase trains, get through airport gates or security checks without having to disturb your dozing toddler.

D Dress them right