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How to Practice Proper Eye Care and Hygiene While Traveling With Your Baby

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Traveling with your baby isn’t easy. You have to pack the right equipment and essentials, keep them calm on a flight, watch out for them during your travels–and hope they’ll nap as needed.😉

And let’s face it, between caring for your baby and making the most of your trip, there may not be a whole lot of time (or much of any?) for self-care. 

If you do get a chance for some TLC, your eyes are often an afterthought. Yet eye care and hygiene are essential for a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable trip.

There are also many ways to care for your eyes that don’t consume a lot of time or take a lot of effort, so you won’t have to worry about spending too much time away from your baby OR your travel plans.

Here’s how to practice proper eye care and hygiene while traveling with your baby.

Wear sunglasses

Oh, baby, will you look cool! Image by Freepik.

Whether you’re heading to a tropical getaway or a winter wonderland, sunglasses should always be part of your packing list.

Prolonged UV exposure can significantly damage your eyes, increasing your risk of developing eye conditions like cataracts or macular degeneration (no thanks!).

However, wearing shades outdoors is an easy way to care for your eyes without exerting a lot of effort or taking up a lot of time—helpful when traveling with a baby. (And baby, will you look cool!)

A pair of sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection is non-negotiable, but you can also consider polarized lenses to help block glare from reflective surfaces like water and snow or prescription shades if you need vision correction.

Opt for sunglasses from top brands like Ray-Ban, known for durability, craftsmanship, and comfort. Your baby can also benefit from infant sunglasses, especially since their eyes aren’t as adept at dealing with UV rays. 

Choose the right contact lenses

Image by Freepik.

If you’re a frequent contact lens wearer, they’re something you’d want to consider before traveling with your baby. Contacts require a careful and thorough cleaning routine, which can be a hassle when you’re focused on looking after your baby.

However, choosing the right contacts can help you maintain hygiene and comfort on the go. Clearly offers a wide range of contact lenses that suit various vision needs.

What’s more, moisture is important for keeping the eyes comfortable and safe from infections, so you can consider the Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde lenses that feature SmartShield and HydraGlyde technologies that retain moisture and protect the contacts from contaminants.

Daily lenses like the Dailies Total 1 are also ideal for traveling. You won’t have to clean and store them every day since you dispose of them after use. You’ll save a lot of time and prevent bacteria build-up, allowing you to spend more time vacationing with your family. 

Use glasses on the plane

Photo by Kelly on Pexels.

Even if you’ve chosen high-quality contact lenses, there are times when it’s best not to wear them while traveling — and flying is one of them.

As the airplane cabin can be dry (and drying), over time it affects the comfort of your contacts. And if you’re dealing with eye discomfort, it’ll be harder to relax or keep an eye on your baby during the flight. 

Instead, use your eye glasses while on the plane for a stress-free experience. They’re more convenient and comfortable while flying, giving you one less thing to think about on the way to your destination.

Of course, glasses are also safer if you end up dozing off since sleeping with your contact lenses on can be detrimental to your eye health. Just keep your contact lenses in your personal bag or carry-on and you can easily switch to them when you reach your destination. 

You might also like our feature at Family Travel 411: Tips for Buying Sunglasses for Kids

More help for traveling with your baby or toddler:

Flying with a Baby or Toddler Advice Index (start here!)
How to Travel with a Car Seat (Without Losing Your Mind)
Car Seat Alternatives for Travel 
Review of the WAYB Pico Folding Car Seat
Seven Easy Ways to Get Your Car Seat Through the Airport
Best Lightweight Travel Strollers
Worldwide Directory of Baby Gear Rentals
Baby and Toddler Travel Beds
Convertible Car Seats for Travel
How to Plan Your Best Vacation with Baby
Review of the Bubble Bum Inflatable Booster

Airline-Specific Tips for Flying with Babies and Toddlers

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