Road Trip Tips ■ Plan to make pit stops regularly. It is essential to get out of the car and stretch every few hours. If you can, make the breaks more fun by purposely planning where you’re going to stop. ■ Bring anti-nausea medicine or peppermint oil. It’s never fun to feel queasy on the road. ■ Research your route. Check where near- by hospitals are located both on the way and once you arrive, just in case. ■ Share what you need. Pregnancy is overwhelming, so set boundaries when you arrive, and don’t be afraid to ask for help! Your family won’t know what you need un- less you tell them. “Make sure you have a space you can escape to and have your own space if you’re sick,” Sibley encourages. What to Pack There tends to be a fear surrounding all you have to pack while pregnant, but rest assured—you’re packing normally except for a few extra pills. Here are Sibley’s must-pack items for pregnant travelers: prenatals, element packs, snacks, crackers (great for nausea), and a neck pillow.
Postpartum Travel ■ Try to book hotels or Airbnbs that offer cribs. ■ Bring a bottle washing travel kit. ■ Buy diapers & wipes when you get to your destination. (But be sure to pack a few to get you there and through the first day!) ■ If you can, plan to do laundry or pack bibs to protect baby’s outfits. ■ Consider how many hands you need to carry all the stuff you are bringing. ■ Don’t wait–travel when they’re little. Sibley says, “The easiest time to travel is when they’re born to 10 months, so book a trip. They sleep all the time, you need it the most. As they start to move around, it’s harder. Go when they’re little.” ■ Baby jet-lag: Keep baby in the sun when the sun is up, then put baby to sleep when it’s dark. ■ Don’t let your fear of traveling with a baby postpartum prevent you from going on adventures. Think of your baby as joining your life instead of slowing you down. Woohoo, now you’re set to hit the road (or the skies) this holiday season! We hope you soak in these last months of travel before your sweet little one arrives.
would beg you to take, it would be to always pack snacks and water onto the plane and have them in easy reach. ■ Come prepared for comfort. Bring your own neck pillow, pack earplugs and an eyemask, and have electrolytes on hand. ■ Time shifter. This app helps you shift to a different time zone based on your circadian rhythm. ■ Avoid gassy foods and drinks before you fly. Gases expand in-flight, and it’s never fun to have a gassy stomach. (Examples: broccoli, beans, and carbonated soda.) ■ Don’t become dehydrated! Drink fluids before boarding and while flying (here’s where the electrolytes come in). Another helpful way to stay hydrated is by getting an IV the day before. “An IV is a game chang- er, especially if you have earlier flights,” Sibley says. ■ Bonus! If you travel postpartum, you can book the bulkhead seats with most airlines (based on baby’s age and weight) and request a bassinet. If you financially can, Sibley recommends buying a seat for your baby and bringing the car seat. “If not, sometimes they might have an extra seat and it’s worth an ask,” Sibley points out.
There are many effective ways to reduce stuttering. Doing nothing is not one of them.
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